DPT Learning Opportunity

Six students complete inaugural course including the RMUoHP Foundation’s Community Rehabilitation Center (CRC)

RMUoHP completed its first elective course in August, incorporating community service into academic learning by teaching physical therapy students the scope of health issues and rehabilitation needs of the medically uninsured and underserved citizens of Utah County at the RMUoHP Foundation’s CRC.

The Student Service Learning Course is a one credit hour per semester course and involves 12 scheduled hours of volunteer service in the CRC. The course concept was originally envisioned by University president Dr. Nielsen, and designed by the current Provost, Dr. H.S. Ghazi-Birry, as a means to weave the University’s newest core value of service, into the didactic and clinical components of a service learning course. Next, with feedback from the academic community and support from the administrative board, the service learning course concept was launched. This first service-learning course experience was led under the direction of course instructors, Drs. Sandy Pennington and Coleby Clawson.

RMUoHP students were monitored by licensed Physical Therapists engaged in the delivery of rehabilitation care at the CRC in Provo. Students gained first-hand insight and experience in participating in a clinic devoted to serving Utah County’s underserved population.

One of the participating students, Tayler Comley, noted that the students in participation were able to build upon traits required for a flourishing healthcare provider such as altruism, professional development, leadership, cultural sensitivity, community involvement and ethical mannerisms.

Taylor also stated, “Personally, my experience encompassed empowerment. Not only was I able to develop my own professional abilities, I was able to empower patients seen at the CRC to live their lives to the highest degree they desired. Providing the patients with this opportunity, being able to witness the small successes they made in each session and feeling the gratitude they expressed are the best gifts any physical

therapy student can ask for.” As a culmination of the course objectives and spirit, students presented an end-of-term project entitled: Exemplifying the Core Values of RMUoHP through Service-Learning on July 29. This presentation included personal reflections of healthcare access for patients, as well as recommendations to continue the clinic momentum developed under the the direction of alumnus, Dr. Clawson. Additionally, students reflected on their personal opportunity to assist the underserved.

The experience had a lasting effect on RMUoHP student, Jennifer Divis, “I was not aware that the demand for probono services is so high. My eyes were also opened to the fact that most (if not all) of these individuals were in these situations at no fault of their own. It made me realize that there is no difference in the kind of services I provide to a paying or non-paying patient. I think this experience will lead to a continuation of providing pro-bono care in my career because I have a taste of how rewarding it can be.”