By Diane McManus
“I believe in people helping people.”
This simple philosophy guides the work at the Mercy Wellness Center Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic, a cooperative effort between the University of the Sciences’ Department of Physical Therapy and Mercy Rehab Associates.
Cofounded in 2002 by Carol Maritz, PT, EdD, GCS, an associate professor in PT, and her former University colleague, Michael Johnson, PT, PhD, OCS, who later became director of professional development at Mercy Rehab Associates, the clinic’s goal was to serve uninsured patients in South and Southwest Philadelphia. It also provides students in the Samson College of Health Sciences PT program with valuable fieldwork experience.
Stephanie Schultz DPT’10 recalled first hearing the phrase, “I believe in people helping people,” from a patient. “He was always willing to work with the students and provide us with the opportunity for hands-on learning because we were helping him to reach his goals.”
At the pro bono clinic, all join in this “people helping people” effort.
The chemistry is obvious in the main treatment room, abuzz with activity, as patients work their way through their prescribed exercises, attempting “just one more” leg raise, arm pull, or halting step across the room.
For Dr. Maritz, a key reward has been to observe the progress not only of patients but of the students she mentors. She enjoys being a “fly on the wall,” watching students as they learn and become more confident about making decisions.
The teaching role of the clinic is so important, said Dr. Maritz, that “we train our therapists to teach students. We ask a lot of questions but don’t give a lot of answers.” Indeed, students learn to teach as well, assuming increasing responsibility for patient treatment while mentoring newer students.
The teaching role of the clinic is so important, said Dr. Maritz, that “we train our therapists to teach students. We ask a lot of questions but don’t give a lot of answers.” Indeed, students learn to teach as well, assuming increasing responsibility for patient treatment while mentoring newer students.
For Rich Digiacomo DPT’10, this teaching experience influenced his career direction, leading him to become interested in “the teaching aspect of PT,” and thus he became a teaching assistant in a Gross Anatomy lab.
Time at the pro bono clinic, although a required part of the curriculum, differs from the formal clinic rotations because students’ work is ungraded.
Al Guarini MPT’04, clinic codirector, agrees that “true learning comes when a student can see and experience something they have read about in a textbook or on a PowerPoint slide.”
“My time in the pro bono clinic allowed me to become more confident in my abilities and to develop my leadership skills,” said Rich Call DPT’10.
For all of the therapists, the clinic is more about making a difference than about making money. Johnson, who recently left his full-time position at Mercy to accept another with Bayada Nurses, will continue at the pro bono clinic as a volunteer.
The patients can also make a difference, as Schultz learned and as volunteer Christine Buhn confirms: “The patients are incredibly appreciative of the services we provide, and it is a pleasure to get to know and work with each one of them.”
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