Meet Hannah: My Journey to Chiropractic
This post is written by Hannah Schroer, our Chiropractic Assistant and future chiropractic student at Logan University. She shares her journey to discovering chiropractic and what inspired her to pursue this path!
Hi there, and welcome!
My name is Hannah Schroer, and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a little bit about where I come from—and why I am choosing a career in chiropractic.
Small Town Roots
I grew up in Montgomery City, Missouri—a small, rural town nestled about halfway between Columbia and St. Louis. To give you an idea of how small, my high school graduating class had just 85 students.
My family also operated a small row crop farm, and it was there, riding around with my dad and grandpa, that I first learned the value of hard work. But it was also where I got my first glimpse into healthcare—specifically, the real-life challenges that come with limited access to rural healthcare.
Why Healthcare?
A Childhood Fascination
My fascination with healthcare started early. Around first or second grade, I boldly announced at a family birthday party:
“I don’t want to be a teacher anymore—I want to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon!”
That spark never went away. My curiosity only grew.
Throughout my childhood, I found myself drawn to health-related situations. As family members faced surgeries or injuries, I was always the first to volunteer to help—grabbing ice packs, adjusting braces, or holding wraps while wounds were dressed. Orthopedic issues fascinated me most, and I loved seeing how the body could heal with the right care.
My First Glimpse of Rehabilitation
In eighth grade, I experienced a sports-related overuse injury in my foot and ankle. The healing process was long—I spent several months in both a cast and a boot, going from weight-bearing to non-weight-bearing and back again.
Eventually, I began physical therapy, and something clicked. I saw how incredible rehabilitative care can be. Watching my own progress unfold over weeks and months made me appreciate the power of rehab and the body’s ability to adapt and heal. I was hooked.
Falling in Love with Science
Throughout high school, my love for healthcare continued to deepen. I dove into my science classes and found myself enjoying every assigned book about health care like:
Tuesdays with Morrie
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The Great Influenza
I even memorized the basic bones and muscles with ease for a health and anatomy class.
Perhaps most telling was a large research paper I completed on the systemic failures surrounding Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor. That project opened my eyes to how deeply broken parts of our healthcare system can be. I was angry, heartbroken, and even more determined to be part of a better future in healthcare—one led by compassionate, ethical, patient-focused providers.
Why Chiropractic?
Chiropractic wasn’t always on my radar. Growing up, I knew my dad and grandma saw Dr. Meyer, our local chiropractor, and occasionally I tagged along to appointments.
But it wasn’t until the summer after my junior year of high school—after a minor tubing injury left my neck and shoulders sore—that I visited Dr. Meyer myself. Truthfully, I was skeptical. But I was also in pain and willing to try anything for relief.
I’m so glad I did.
The discomfort I had been dealing with started to ease, and I was amazed by how much better I felt. That one appointment opened the door, and I began reading more about chiropractic care—its science, its philosophy, and the evidence behind it.
(Fun fact: I genuinely enjoy reading research articles. I know. Weird.)
Over time, my dream of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon shifted. I realized I could still help people—especially in rural communities—but in a way that aligned even more with my values and interests. I wanted to become a chiropractor.
A Deeper Dive into the Profession
Dr. Meyer was gracious enough to let me shadow him during my senior year, and that experience solidified everything for me.
When I began my first semester at Mizzou, I had the chance to interview him again for a class project—and the passion I had for chiropractic only grew stronger.
Later, I took a course called Intro to the Health Professions, where each week featured a new guest speaker. When a chiropractor came in, I was fully locked in, hanging on every word. That one class flew by—unlike most of the others.
Finally, during my last semester at MU, I completed a healthcare internship. I knew exactly where I wanted to be: back at Meyer Chiropractic and Acupuncture, this time as a Chiropractic Assistant. That role allowed me to experience the field firsthand—not just observing, but actively supporting patients and seeing the day-to-day life of a chiropractor.
And honestly? I’ve loved every minute of it.
Looking Ahead
I’m now beginning my chiropractic education at Logan University, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.
The journey—from a little girl on a Missouri farm to a future doctor of chiropractic—has been full of learning, growth, and purpose.