Leaders Made

Logan University is a community of extraordinary leaders. Learn how these individuals are making an impact in their own communities, careers and beyond.

Some people are natural-born leaders, and that is certainly the case for ZACH AYRES, trimester 6 Doctor of Chiropractic student at Logan. The list of leadership positions he currently holds is long and impressive: vice president of Logan Student Government (LSG) executive board, trimester 6 class president, vice president and co-founder of Logan United, Logan student ambassador, student representative for Logan’s Safety Committee, and co-founder of a student podcast called Adjusting to the Curve, which will debut this fall.

“The best part of Logan life is how easy it is to get involved in activities and clubs,” Zach said. “There are so many opportunities for student involvement. I love solving problems and making improvements so that every student experience can be enhanced. We work hard, so we must enjoy our downtime.”

Originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, Zach attended Ohio Northern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in exercise physiology. In January of 2021, he moved to St. Louis to begin his studies at Logan. “I chose Logan because it is a sports-centered university, and my longterm goal is to work with high-performance athletes,” he said.

Zach was impressed with Logan’s support of the sport of para powerlifting. Logan recently hosted the first international competition for the sport of para powerlifting in the United States.

“I love the idea of focusing on a holistic approach for athletes and working with trainers and coaches to create smarter training programs that help prevent injuries,” Zach said.

On track to graduate in the spring of 2024, Zach has been heavily involved in student government. In his position as LSG vice president, he recently came up with a new way for student clubs and organizations to access their funds: a debit card system that is scheduled to launch this fall. The system will make it easier to set up events, conduct fundraising and plan community service projects.

In January of 2022, Zach co-founded Logan United, which promotes inclusion and educates the community on health care disparities. The club serves as a safe and welcoming space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and others to discuss best practices to improve the student experience. Dedicated to helping more than 40 members become wellinformed doctors who are sensitive to the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community faces, the group meets monthly.

The podcast Zach is helping set up will be led by DC students Pierce Jackson and Grace Reinken. They plan to focus on the Logan student experience. “We have a great student base here,” Zach said. “A diverse group with such unique experiences needs to be sharing thoughts on a regular basis.”

Zach aspires to be LSG president so he can continue the work he has started. “We are the next generation of chiropractic, and we have to propel our field forward so we mesh well with other professionals,” Zach said. “The future is integrated and innovative, and that includes inclusive thinking in all aspects of health care.”

PATRICK BATTAGLIA, DC (’12), DACBR

works to facilitate chiropractic integration in St. Louis with various community- and hospital-based partnerships. As director of Health Policy and Interdisciplinary Care at Logan University, he oversees

Zach Ayres

clinicians at more than five locations in the St. Louis area.

Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Dr. Battaglia completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Windsor and came to Logan for his chiropractic degree. After graduating in 2012, he spent three years completing a residency in radiology and a one-year fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging at Logan. He began his career as an attending clinician at Affinia Healthcare in 2017, and in 2019, he accepted his current position overseeing chiropractic operations as well as student and resident training at various clinics. His contributions in this role helped him earn a place in the 2022 St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40 class.

“One of our goals is to maintain and grow an integrated footprint to provide the best possible patient care,” Dr. Battaglia said. “We have two full-time chiropractic clinicians, and in 2020, we brought in an occupational therapist to round out our team.”

Dr. Battaglia is joined by Kelsey Lewis, DC (‘18) and Jevinne Khan, DC (’20) in addition to Bernadette Sheffield, MS-OT. Collectively, they see 400 to 450 patients per month. The bulk of their patients come to the clinics for treatment of complex chronic pain in addition to other health concerns. Dr. Battaglia and his team provide traditional chiropractic care as well as myofascial therapy, rehabilitative and therapeutic exercises, and mind-body therapy. The team works closely with other health care professionals, including primary care physicians, women’s health providers, podiatrists and others for an integrated approach to patient care.

Recently, the Integrated Health Centers Department was incorporated into Innovation and Research. “This new reporting line enables us to continue to grow our integrated operations in creative, forward-thinking ways. I am thrilled that Logan continues to find ways to expand and innovate our approach to patient care at our Health Centers, and I am pleased to be a part of this movement,” Dr. Battaglia said.

In fact, Dr. Lewis spent time this summer participating in a community outreach effort promoting holistic healing and patient education in underserved areas around the community, and Dr. Khan has been contributing content to the local website, www.beyondpainstl.com.

“We have an amazing team in place with many accomplishments,” Dr. Battaglia said. “They are individuals who continue to learn and spread their knowledge around the community. Undoubtedly, the new Innovation and Research Department will help us continue to move our profession forward.”

SETH HUDSON, DC (’11) always knew he wanted to work in health care, but it wasn’t until he suffered an injury playing college baseball that he realized he wanted to be a chiropractor.

“While diving for a ball, I landed wrong and had whiplash, my arm went numb, and my neck seized up,” said Dr. Hudson. “One of the team physicians suggested I see a chiropractor, which allowed me to go from being unable to lift a bat to being back on the field in just 10 days.”

After deciding to pursue a career in chiropractic, choosing Logan for his education was easy.

“I’m from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, so I spent a lot of time in St. Louis and was familiar with the area,” Dr. Hudson said. “Plus, I shadowed a few chiropractors who went to Logan, and the reputation of the university is incredible. The campus is beautiful, and the facilities are truly world-class.”

While working toward his Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Hudson also enrolled in Logan’s Master of Science in Sports Science and Rehabilitation (MS-SSR) program. As a lifelong athlete, Dr. Hudson wanted to specialize in treating sports injuries.

Just two years after graduation, Dr. Hudson opened his own practice, Hudson Chiropractic, in Cape Girardeau.

“It was challenging to go out on my own, but now I’m proud to say my partners and I have built one of the largest practices in Missouri,” said Dr. Hudson. “We recently acquired another local practice that was founded by Dudley G. Ruopp, DC (’39), who was one of the members of Logan’s first graduating class.”

In addition to treating a variety of patients in his practice, Dr. Hudson has served on the Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for three years. In this governorappointed role, he assists in creating the language behind many of the rules and regulations in the field of chiropractic. He is also a member of the organization’s disciplinary board and aids with chiropractic examination approvals.

In recognition of Dr. Hudson’s dedication to furthering chiropractic, he was awarded the 2022 Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association Chiropractor of the Year Award, a prestigious accolade given to only one chiropractor each year.

“It was such an unexpected honor to be chosen as Chiropractor of the Year,” Dr. Hudson said. “I feel so lucky to work in a field that I truly love. Helping people heal and feel better is what I’m passionate about, so it was incredible to be recognized for that.”

Dr. Seth Hudson