DeSales Opening New Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic on Campus
The doctor of physical therapy program is opening a new student-led, pro bono clinic for children and adults with movement disorders.
The DeSales Community Wellness and Physical Therapy Clinic opens to the public on Monday, March 13, in the lower level of Chappuis Hall. It aims to serve patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or those with barriers to access, including patients who cannot afford copays, those with a limited number of visits, or those who aren’t progressing as fast as insurance providers would prefer.
“A therapist often has to discharge patients because they’re not clearly making progress, especially people who have had a stroke and take a long time to recover. But that doesn’t mean the patient doesn’t need the assistance. It’s a perfect storm in that we have students who need to learn, and we have patients who need more therapy.”
The clinic is open to children and adults with movement disorders as a result of orthopedic, neurological, or balance impairments; patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease; and those who are deconditioned and need assistance regaining strength and aerobic capacity.
All three cohorts of DPT students—first year, second year, and third year—will work together in the new clinic under faculty supervision. Alumni of the program will also serve as mentors. Jessica Watson ’15, D’18, assistant professor, calls the clinic an extension of the DPT program’s relationship with clinical partners in the inpatient, outpatient, and home health settings.
“This will help our clinical partners manage the patients they’re no longer able to serve due to insurance limitations or those patients who are beyond their reach,” says Watson. “This clinic is unique to the Lehigh Valley, and there is a great need for our community to have these services.”
According to figures from the 2020 Census, an estimated 30 million Americans are uninsured and an additional 60 million are underinsured. The DeSales Community Wellness and Physical Therapy Clinic will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. No referral is required. Call 610-282-2665 or email dptclinic@desales.edu with inquiries or to schedule an appointment.
