The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Foundation’s Community Rehabilitation Clinic (CRC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the uninsured and underserved citizens of Utah County in need of physical therapy. The majority of patients treated return to levels of normalcy, secured or continued employment, carry on productive lives, and resume healthy daily activity. The clinic, located in Provo, Utah, treats patients with a variety of physical therapy needs. The CRC’s well-trained and highly skilled staff are licensed, qualified practitioners of physical therapy. Physical therapy doctoral students from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) and pre-physical therapy students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University assist them as well. As pro bono volunteers in the CRC, students learn the value of serving their community by treating and understanding the circumstances of local underserved citizens.
Last year during the months of October, November, and December, the CRC had 25 students from RMUoHP, Brigham Young University, and Utah Valley University volunteer a total of 80 hours of community service. The CRC physical therapists and physical therapist assistants said the students volunteering in the Clinic were dynamic, dedicated, and effective in their assistance in providing supervised physical therapy treatment to all of the underserved patients receiving healthcare in the CRC.
During those same months, there was also an increase in the total number of patient visits. One reason for the increase in visits was the addition of new staff at the CRC, which allowed the Clinic to schedule an increase of 121 actual visits compared to the prior three months. In addition to the increase in actual visits, the CRC saw a boost of 106 follow-up patient visits during that same time period.
The majority of patients treated at the CRC are referred by the Mountainlands Family Health Center located in Provo, Utah. Qualified by HUD low-income limits, patients receive rehabilitation treatments including balance, neuromuscular, lumber, post-surgical, acute injury, chronic pain, neuro, pediatric, and electroneuromyography at no cost. Below are a few of their success stories.
CRC Patient & Volunteer Success Stories
CRC Patient Success Story – Preston
Preston
“I broke my ankle in three places and had to have surgery to fix it. I got a plate, nine screws, and two bands. I came to physical therapy under my doctor’s order because I couldn’t walk or run without a limp or pain.
A former roommate referred me to go to the Community Rehabilitation Clinic. I chose it because he told me how good this clinic was and how wonderful the staff is (true story).
The CRC has been stupendous! I have made great strides (literally) in correcting my ankle. I have been able to get it straight again when walking, started jogging and running again, and hold/stabilize myself on just my recovering ankle. Way better than I was before!”
CRC Patient Success Story – Carlos
Carlos
“I have been in pain for more than 12 years. I was always in a bad mood and disliked it when anyone would touch me due to how much it hurt. My physical condition and lack of activities affected my personal life in a huge way.
I heard about the Community Rehabilitation Clinic through Mountainlands Family Health Center, and figured I’d take a chance on it.
Before, I was very limited and couldn’t have a normal life, couldn’t exercise at all, missed running, and couldn’t sleep at nights. It was incredible, the change I have gone through while being here. Now I can say that I can exercise, have a good rest, good humor, feel happy, enjoy life, face problems with different perspective, and my life is changed in a huge way. The other day my mom gave me a hug and started crying because she could hug me. She said I wouldn’t let her hug me because of the pain. Now, for the first time in 12 years, I can hug my mom.”
CRC Patient Success Story – Virginia
Virginia
“I started having pain in my chest and upper back that limited my movement. On top of that, I already had low back pain and leg pain that made it hard to walk or move. Life had become quite difficult for me. I started realizing that sometimes we don’t appreciate our bodies enough until you can’t move anymore without pain. I received a referral from Mountainlands Family Health Center, so I would be able to receive physical therapy without paying. This was great because I couldn’t afford it otherwise.
I am so grateful! Because of physical therapy, my range of movement has improved, and I can return to my regular life. Thanks to the work of all of those who work at the Community Rehabilitation Clinic, especially the physical therapists and assistants, I have been able to go back to living. I am a very active person and not being able to move without pain was limiting me so much. Thank you to everyone!”
CRC Volunteer Success Story – J.R.
J.R.
“I’ve been volunteering at the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in the Community Rehabilitation Clinic for five weeks, and it has been one of the best environments I’ve worked in of any clinic. I didn’t know what to expect since it was the first time I’d worked with neurological patients. However, every time I have come in, I’ve learned more about Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The patients bring a great spirit to the clinic on every visit. They are much fun to work with. My time volunteering here has been totally worth it.”
“J.R. has been a great help to the MS Clinic! He heard about the clinic through the BYU Physical Therapy Club. Since he needs Neurological hours for physical therapy school, he assists physical therapists and physical therapy assistants by helping patients with MS do their exercises. He also performs manual stretches, assists patients during gait exercises and helps transfer patients when needed. He is very observant, well focused, and gets along great with the patients.” – Natisha Bethers, Office Manager, CRC
