BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut -- Dec. 17, 1994 marks an historic date for chiropractic: the first graduating class (10 students) of the University of Bridgeport Chiropractic College (UBCC). The students are also the first chiropractors to graduate from a four-year university in the U.S.
The University of Bridgeport, founded in 1927, began its inaugural classes in chiropractic Sept. 5, 1991; the chiropractic college received CCE accreditation in May of 1994.
Louis Sportelli, DC, ACA spokesman and former ACA board chairman, presented the commencement address. Neil Stern, DC, executive vice president of Parker Chiropractic College, was the recipient of an honorary doctor of science degree. Dr. Stern was instrumental in helping UBCC earn full accreditation.
Robert Matrisciano, DC, was honored with the first Ernest Napolitano award for his contributions in laying the foundation for the partnership between the University of Bridgeport and the chiropractic college.
UBCC's First Graduating Class
Gina Carucci (Hartford, CT);
Ardee Davis (Roselle, NJ);
Todd Davis (Wallingford, CT);
Michael DiMauro (Woburn, MA);
Stephen Fowler (Middlefield, CT);
Michael Gaccione (Nutley, NJ);
Karl Nixdorf (Montvale, NJ);
Angela O'Hara (Fairfield, NJ);
Fredrick Stinner (Rahway, NJ);
Behjat Syed (Stamford, CT).
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
With estimates showing over 30 million Americans affected by peripheral neuropathy – and a significant portion underdiagnosed – it’s increasingly likely that chiropractors are already treating these patients. What’s missing is structured recognition, comprehensive management and targeted tools to slow progression, improve function and support systemic health.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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