Women Chiropractors is proud to recognize Dr. Gloria Arras as the 2026 recipient of the Linda Elwart Atkinson DC Memorial Scholarship, presented on International Women Chiropractors Day in honor of Dr. Linda Elwart Atkinson’s legacy of leadership, service, and advancing the chiropractic profession.
Dr. Arras’ journey into chiropractic began after a devastating cheerleading injury left her facing surgery and the possibility of never returning to the sport she loved. Instead, chiropractic care and rehabilitation helped her recover, avoid surgery, and continue cheering for years to come. That experience inspired her to pursue chiropractic so she could help others continue doing what they love. Years later, she also discovered she has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by patients with hypermobility and shaping the direction of her career.
After several years in a high-volume, insurance-based practice, Dr. Arras found herself burned out and questioning whether she wanted to remain in the profession. Through the Women Chiropractors Re-Entry Program, she rediscovered her purpose, rebuilt her confidence, and reimagined her practice around the patients she is most passionate about serving. Today, she operates a boutique-style, cash-based practice that provides personalized care for women with hypermobility, incorporating chiropractic adjustments alongside rehabilitation, fascial work, nervous system regulation, and nutritional guidance.
Dr. Arras plans to use the scholarship to pursue advanced training in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility while developing an accredited continuing education course
through Wanderlearn to equip more chiropractors with the knowledge and tools to effectively care for this growing patient population. She hopes to combine clinical practice with education, helping improve outcomes for patients while advancing understanding of hypermobility within the chiropractic profession.
Dr. Arras’ commitment to lifelong learning, innovation, and serving an often-overlooked patient population embodies the spirit of the Linda Elwart Atkinson Scholarship. We are honored to recognize her achievements and look forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make on both her patients and the chiropractic profession.
Congratulations, Dr. Arras!
