Faculty
Xavier Ortiz Ramirez, DC, QME, CME, IIE
Fall 1980 - Fall 2120
Assistant Professor I
Los Angeles College of Chiropractic - Clinical Education
xramirez@scuhs.edu
Current Position
Biography
Dr. Xavier A. Ortiz Ramírez, DC, CME, IIE is a chiropractor who was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From a young age, he was interested in healing and volunteered for the Red Cross at 16, becoming an EMT and first aid instructor at 18. He then worked as a paramedic, flight paramedic, and college instructor in emergency response programs, building a wealth of experience in pre-hospital medicine and healthcare. Dr. Xavier pursued his undergraduate work in biology while working as a pre-hospital provider, with the goal of enrolling in medical school. In 2002, he enrolled in Xochicalco Medical School in Baja California, Mexico, where he obtained a diploma as a medical doctor with a minor in surgery in 2007.
After returning to Puerto Rico, Dr. Xavier became the program director for the Emergency Medical Technician program at Ponce Paramedical College. In 2011, he co-founded Educatevirtual Learning Centers, an online portal for healthcare professionals' continuing education. Dr. Xavier continued developing his skills as an educator, obtaining other credentials as an instructor in the medical field. Later, he became a cardiac training program instructor with Loma Linda University and then the Critical Care Training Center in California.
Desiring to go back to patient care, Dr. Xavier chose chiropractic as his re-entry into clinical work after experiencing its benefits for a back injury in 2009. He obtained a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences and is licensed to practice as a chiropractor in California and Idaho. Dr. Xavier has developed expertise in occupational health, becoming a Certified Medical Examiner and completing diplomate coursework as an Industrial Injury Evaluator to perform work-related evaluations and treatment under the California Workers Compensation System. He has multiple clinical education certificates in nutrition and technique courses such as instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation, Activator Methods, CBP Technique, and Gonstead Technique.
As a chiropractic physician, Dr. Xavier specializes in drug-free pain management and offers free community drug prevention education. He is currently employed as a Clinical Faculty at the SCU Health System Clinic in Whittier, California, focusing on drugless pain management and teaching SCU students how to become compassionate integrated doctors. Dr. Xavier has a diverse background and personality that makes him popular with patients, particularly in the Spanish-speaking community. When not treating patients, he enjoys outdoor sports and is an expert vegetarian chef. Limited spots are available for chiropractic consultations at the SCU University Health Clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Call now to schedule an appointment and experience Dr. Xavier's compassionate care.
Degrees
Certificate, Industrial Injury Evaluator Certification Credential IIE / QME, International Chiropractors’ Association of California, Sacramento, California, United States
Certificate, Certification In Clinical Nutrition 101 HR, Kansas State University Global Campus, Manhattan, Kansas, United States
Certificate, DOT - Medical Examiner Certification, Northwestern Health Science University, Bloomington, Minnesota, United States
Certificate, Drug and Alcohol Testing Certification, Northwestern Health Science University, Bloomington, Minnesota, United States
D.C., Doctor of Chiropractic, Southern California University of Health Sciences , Whittier , California, United States
DIP, Whiplash and Traumatic Brain Injury Diplomate, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
M.D., Medical Doctor, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
B.Sc., Biology - Pre Medicine, Universidad Interamericana , Bayamon, Puerto Rico, United States
DIP, Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic, Instituto de Banca y Comercio, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, United States
Professional Licensures (Healthcare)
DC, California, United States, 34549, Active, 2019, June 2024, 1043871718
DC, Idaho, United States, CHIA-1936, Active, 2019, June 2024, 1043871718
Certifications (Healthcare)
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners | FMCSA, Certified Medical Examiner (CME), 2840821140, 2020-07-15, 2030-07-15, Yes
American Heart Association (AHA), Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, 02101722873, 11/04/2021, 11/30/2023, Yes
American Heart Association (AHA), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Instructor, 02101722873, 11/06/2021, 11/30/2023, Yes
American Heart Association, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Instructor, 02101722873, 11/08/2021, 11/30/2023, Yes
Professional Licensures and Certifications (All other/non-healthcare)
ICF - Associate Life Coach Certification, February 2012, International Coach Federation (ICF), International, United States
Haz-Mat PPE NFPA 472 Pro-Board , January 2009, National Fire Prevention Agency - NFPA, Texas, United States, Weapons of Mass Distraction and Chemical incident Specialty, Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications and NFPA® 472 standards, provides participants with HAZMAT-specific response knowledge and skills, enabling them to respond safely and effectively to a suspected incident at the hazardous materials technician level. Participants receive hands-on training in donning and doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Levels A and B, containing leaks and drum over-packing, containing leaks in pressurized containers, and performing technical and mass decontamination.
Haz-Mat AWR NFPA 472 Pro-Board, May 2009, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) , Texas, United States, Weapons of Mass Distraction and Chemical incident Specialty, AWR-358 dL Hazardous Materials Awareness Distance Learning course provides students from all backgrounds with knowledge and practical experience in essential, awareness-level hazardous materials competencies as defined by NFPA® 1072: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications and NFPA 472: Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents. The course provides training to proficiency in identifying hazardous, utilizing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response Guidebook to identify hazardous materials risks and protective actions, utilizing hazard communication documents to identify hazardous materials risks protective actions, and determining awareness-level personal and public protective actions.
Haz-Mat Ops NFPA 472 Pro-Board , April 2011, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) , Texas, United States, WMD Operations Level Training, The Hazardous Materials Operations (HAZMAT Ops) course is a five-day course that provides responders with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to analyze, plan, and implement performance-defensive response actions for hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents. During this course, students receive instruction and hands-on experience in the knowledge, activities and responsibilities required of operations-level HAZMAT responders. Students perform advanced, practical tasks in the Nation's only toxic agent training facility, the Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological (COBRA) Training Facility. This course trains responders to National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) 1072: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications.
Work Experience
2022 - Ongoing
Clinical Faculty, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California, United States
2020 - 2021
Chiropractic Physician / Regional Supervisor for the Physical Reconditioning Program, SAVAS Health System, Riverside, California, United States
Doctor of Chiropractic / Owner, Back 2 Work Clinics , Garden City, Idaho, United States
2019 - 2020
Doctor of Chiropractic / Owner, Spine Care Doc Chiropractic, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
2018 - 2018
Chiropractic Internship, Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Loma Linda, California, United States
2016 - 2019
Program Faculty Instructor, Critical Care Training Center, North Hollywood, California, United States
2015 - 2016
AHA Program Instructor, Life Support Training Center at Loma Linda University, Loma Lind, California, United States
2011 - Ongoing
Academic Affairs Advisor, Educatevirtual Learning Centers, Meridian, Idaho, United States
2008 - 2011
Educational Program Director: Emergency Medical Services, National University College POPAC Institute, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, United States
2005 - 2007
Telemetry Technician, Paradise Valley Hospital, National City, California, United States
2004 - 2007
Paramedic, FEMA DMAT CA-4, San Diego, CA, California, United States
2000 - 2002
Paramedic, Guaynabo City EMS, Guaynabo, PR, Puerto Rico, United States
EMS Professor, CEM,, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, United States
1998 - 2003
Flight Paramedic, Aero Jet International (now REVA), San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States
1998 - 2000
Lifeguard Instructor, Walt Disney World, Buena Vista, Florida, United States
1996 - 1998
Paramedic, Puerto Rico State EMS, Aibonito, Puerto Rico, United States
1994 - 1996
Emergency Room Technician, Hospital del Maestro, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States
1993 - 1994
Paramedic, Mayagüez Municipality, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, United States
Hospital / Clinical Appointments
Clinical Faculty, University Health Center, Whittier September 2022, Ongoing
Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions
Abstract
Completed/Published
Conference Proceedings
Completed/Published
Other Teaching Materials
Completed/Published
Professional Membership
Spring 2023 - Ongoing
International Chiropractors’ Association of California Faculty Member, April 2023
Fall 2019 - Ongoing
California Chiropractic Association Ca-Chiro Member, August 2019
Spring 2018 - Ongoing
International Chiropractic Association (ICA) Member, March 2018
Spring 2017 - Ongoing
Idaho Chiropractic Physician Association (ICPA) Member , April 2017
Fall 2018 - Ongoing
OCC MED for DC Member, September 2018
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (FCP) Member, October 2018
Summer 2019 - Ongoing
National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) Corporate Member, June 2019
Summer 2011 - Ongoing
American Heart Association (AHA) Faculty Member, June 2011
Spring 1992 - Ongoing
Master Guide SDA Pathfinders, January 1992
Interests
Physiology, Pathology, Bio-Chemistry, Nutrition, Special Populations, Advance Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advance Life Support, Critical Care, Microbiology, Virology,, Hypermobility syndrome, Laser Applications, Neuroendocrine Development, Community Health Fairs, Missionary Trips, Disaster Response, Hypermobility syndrome, Steam Cell Therapy, IV Nutrition
Hear from the Students Who’ve Been in Your Shoes
I chose SCU when looking for a PA program because of their Integrative Medicine approach. I am from Michigan, and not many programs focus on this Integrative, Holistic approach when it comes to patient care in the Midwest, and I felt that was very important for me to learn as a future provider. My transition to semi-virtual learning has been very smooth and quite enjoyable. [su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]My favorite part about attending SCU is how tight-knit and diverse the community is. Coming from a large undergrad university and moving so far, it was very important for me to have a PA program that made me feel valued and invested in my success. At SCU, they do a great job of making you feel that.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Brianna Hadley
MSPA Class of 2022
One of the great things about SCU is we do have a campus layout, so all your classes aren't in a single room. We have our cadaver lab. We have different specialty rooms for physical assessment classes vs. acupuncture classes. All our acupuncture-specific classes have all the herbs in the room. You can pull out the herbs and look at them, whether in class or in between classes to get that extra studying in.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]My favorite part of SCU is the collaboration from our beginning terms. We were working alongside chiropractor students, PA students, and ayurvedic students. It's a unique community where we get to learn about these different fields and sit in classrooms with them and work with them in the clinic. It allows you to get an understanding of all the different fields and how they can work together, and what is unique about your field. I think that is a wonderful aspect that I didn't think was going to be as prominent as it is here; even now, in my upper term classes and I am not in class with chiropractic students, I can still reach out to them about a certain aspect I may not understand or if I am working on a case. I want another perspective I know I have them to reach out to, so that has been a great networking community to have resources for.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Dr. Jamie Kuljis
Graduate, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
"There are a lot of things that I love about the program at SCU. The first one is that the faculty come from a long line of Ayurvedic knowledge deeply rooted in ancient classical text. They studied Ayurveda, but they also lived it. When you learn from people who embody this wisdom, it's much easier to grasp this knowledge. The second thing I love is the camaraderie within the cohort. The combination of the training, supportive faculty, and the support of my peers and classmates has given me the confidence I need to start my own practice."
Portia Harris
Student, Ayurveda Program
Some of my favorite courses at SCU have to be the chiropractic procedure classes; those are the classes you get to hone in on your chiro skills, your palpation skills and ultimately work on the adjustments that make you a chiropractor. Those are the classes I feel enhance my knowledge the most and are some of the reasons I chose to become a chiropractor here are SCU.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]On top of chiropractic procedures classes, my favorite is the cadaver lab experience. The cadaver classes opened up my perception of what the human body is made up of. It allowed me to get an in-person perspective of how the body works and looks on the inside. I am genuinely thankful for those experiences because they opened and broadened my horizons to the human body and anatomy in general.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Jordan Vega
Student, Doctor of Chiropractic
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