SCU’s Dr. Elena Hernandez Selected as Member of CCE Academy of Site Team Visitors

The recognition highlights SCU faculty involvement in national chiropractic education standards, peer review, and academic quality.

For students preparing to care for patients, the quality of a chiropractic education is not an abstract standard. It shapes how future doctors learn to assess patients, make evidence-informed decisions, and provide safe, compassionate care.

That is why accreditation and peer review matter in healthcare education. They create a system of accountability that helps academic programs evaluate whether students are being prepared for the responsibilities of clinical practice.

Dr. Elena Hernandez, DC, is the Clinical Assessment Coordinator at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) and has been selected as a Member of the Council on Chiropractic Education’s Academy of Site Team Visitors. The opportunity allows her to contribute to the quality of chiropractic education while bringing a new perspective back to her work with students and colleagues at SCU.

A Role Focused on Quality and Accountability

The Council on Chiropractic Education, or CCE, serves as the accrediting body for chiropractic programs in the United States. For students, accreditation provides an important layer of assurance that their education is being reviewed against established expectations for academic quality, clinical preparation, and public accountability.

“CCE is important because it ensures the quality and integrity of chiropractic programs while providing accountability to students and the public,” Dr. Hernandez said.

Members of the Academy of Site Team Visitors may be called upon to participate in peer review as part of the accreditation process. That work can include reviewing program materials, participating in site visits, evaluating how programs meet established standards, and contributing recommendations to support academic quality.

For Dr. Hernandez, the selection is both a professional honor and an opportunity to serve the chiropractic profession.

“I was very excited and felt truly honored, especially knowing they receive applications from many highly qualified individuals,” Dr. Hernandez said. “It was a great feeling to know that my experience and perspective were valued enough to be considered for this opportunity.”

Bringing a Broad Perspective to Peer Review

Dr. Hernandez said she hopes to bring a diverse perspective to the role, shaped by her experience at SCU, her time as a student, her background in private practice, and her professional path before becoming a chiropractor.

“I want to keep program quality and high standards at the forefront while also leaving room for individuality, innovation, and new ideas,” she said.

That balance is important in chiropractic education, where academic programs must prepare students to meet professional standards while also encouraging thoughtful growth in teaching, clinical training, and patient care.

For example, peer review can help programs look closely at how students move from classroom learning into clinical application. That includes whether assessment, curriculum, and clinical education are aligned with the competencies future chiropractors need when caring for patients.

Connecting Academic Standards to Patient Care

Dr. Hernandez said accreditation, peer review, and academic quality standards are important because they connect directly to the kind of care graduates are prepared to provide.

“They help ensure that programs are preparing graduates who are safe, compassionate, evidence-informed, and competent, while also supporting the credibility and integrity of the profession for patients and the public,” she said.

That connection reflects SCU’s broader commitment to preparing healthcare professionals who understand the whole person, not just a condition or diagnosis. In chiropractic education, that means helping students develop clinical skill, critical thinking, professionalism, and a patient-centered approach to care.

Dr. Hernandez said her work with future chiropractors is one of the reasons she moved into chiropractic education.

“I care deeply about the quality of education students receive and, ultimately, how that translates into the quality of care they provide to patients,” she said. “I really appreciate SCU’s commitment to evidence and innovation because those are values that are important to me and that I try to reinforce in the students I work with.”

Bringing New Insights Back to SCU

Dr. Hernandez said she sees the Academy of Site Team Visitors as a learning opportunity as well as a service opportunity.

“I’m looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the standards programs should aspire to, as well as seeing the different ways institutions can meet those standards,” she said. “There’s a lot to learn through collaboration, and I hope to bring some of those insights back to SCU.”

That kind of professional involvement supports SCU’s reputation for academic excellence by connecting faculty experience to national conversations about quality, accreditation, and student preparation.

Dr. Hernandez also credited SCU chiropractic program leadership for encouraging faculty involvement in professional service.

“I think it’s vital for faculty to have a voice in the profession, and I think it reflects well on the chiropractic program that they encourage and support their faculty in taking on these opportunities,” she said.

Encouraging Future Chiropractic Leaders

For students who may one day want to serve the chiropractic profession in leadership, peer review, or professional organizations, Dr. Hernandez offered a clear message.

“Get involved,” she said. “This profession thrives when its members are active and involved.”

She added that students and graduates can make a meaningful impact by offering their time to local and national organizations working to protect, promote, and enhance the profession.

“If there are changes you want to see in the profession, getting involved is the best way to make them happen,” Dr. Hernandez said.

Through her selection to the CCE Academy of Site Team Visitors, Dr. Hernandez will have the opportunity to contribute to the standards and conversations shaping chiropractic education while bringing that learning back to SCU’s students, faculty, and clinical education community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dr. Elena Hernandez?

Dr. Elena Hernandez, DC, is a chiropractic clinician and educator at Southern California University of Health Sciences. Her work at SCU focuses on helping prepare future chiropractors through clinical education, evidence-informed practice, and student-centered learning.

What was Dr. Elena Hernandez selected for?

Dr. Hernandez was selected as a Member of the Council on Chiropractic Education’s Academy of Site Team Visitors. She confirmed the official wording of the recognition as “Member of the Academy of Site Team Visitors.”

What is the Council on Chiropractic Education?

The Council on Chiropractic Education, or CCE, is the accrediting body for chiropractic programs in the United States. CCE helps ensure the quality and integrity of Doctor of Chiropractic degree and residency programs while providing accountability to students and the public.

What does the Academy of Site Team Visitors do?

Members of the Academy of Site Team Visitors may participate in peer review as part of the accreditation process. This work can include reviewing chiropractic education programs, evaluating how they meet established standards, and supporting academic quality across the profession.

Why is this recognition important?

This recognition is important because it reflects professional trust in Dr. Hernandez’s experience, perspective, and commitment to chiropractic education. It also gives her an opportunity to contribute to the quality and integrity of chiropractic education beyond SCU.

How does this benefit SCU students?

Dr. Hernandez said the experience will help her gain a deeper understanding of accreditation standards and the different ways institutions meet those standards. She hopes to bring those insights back to her work with students and colleagues in SCU’s Clinical Education Department.

How does accreditation connect to patient care?

Accreditation and peer review help ensure chiropractic programs are preparing graduates who are safe, compassionate, evidence-informed, and competent. In that way, academic quality directly connects to the quality of care future chiropractors provide to patients.

What message does Dr. Hernandez have for students?

Dr. Hernandez encourages students to get involved in the chiropractic profession. She said students and graduates can make a meaningful impact by offering their time to local and national organizations working to protect, promote, and enhance the profession.