The Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center recently became home to a clinic that will allow students in Pennsylvania College of Technology's physical therapist assistant program to work with patients from the community.

The Physical Therapy Clinic is funded by Penn College President Emeritus Davie Jane Gilmour, whose gift has allowed the school to purchase equipment, make upgrades to the space and support the first two years of operations. Clinical and industry partners from UPMC’s North Central Pa. region also donated equipment that will allow physical therapist assistant students to select and perform therapeutic interventions.

“This is exactly who Dr. Gilmour is,” said Victoria Hurwitz, director of the physical therapist assistant program. “Her passion for philanthropy and community support, combined with her continuous dedication to the students and graduates of Penn College, is commendable. Dr. Gilmour understands the value of creating experiential learning opportunities for our students and developing tomorrow’s workforce leaders.” 

Before officially opening the door to the clinic, Gilmour recalled her time as the college’s founding dental hygiene faculty member 48 years ago. The biggest challenge, she said, was the lack of a clinical setting that could offer learning opportunities with real patients, rather than relying solely on the mannequins on which students were practicing.

Gilmour said the decision to support the Physical Therapy Clinic was an easy one.

“Now these students will be able to work in a hands-on environment, on real people with real needs,” she said. “The opportunity to provide these services is one of many priceless gifts Penn College can provide. There is no better place for students to have that opportunity.”

The Physical Therapy Clinic will provide pro bono services to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured or have financial barriers to receiving physical therapy. Patients will first be evaluated by a licensed physical therapist to determine an individualized plan of care, which will be implemented by student physical therapist assistants under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Among its offerings, treatments include therapeutic exercises, soft tissue mobilization, gait training, functional training and home exercise programs.

According to Hurwitz, students not only will gain clinical experience, but also will have the opportunity to practice communicating and developing a rapport with patients, a skill that can result in more patient buy-in, compliance and better patient outcomes.

Recent PTA graduate Emily N. Dalawy, of McClure, is excited about the opportunities the clinic will present for students.

“Getting exposure to real-world scenarios before even leaving the classroom will set our students up for success,” Dalawy said. “It will help them to feel more comfortable when they begin their clinical rotations, allowing them to focus more on the educational benefit that these locations provide.”

“I want to thank Dr. Gilmour for her monetary contribution,” she added. “Thank you for taking the time to recognize our dream and make it a possibility, not only for the community and those in need, but for our students.”

The clinic will be open during the fall and spring semesters and closed during the summer months. A doctor’s referral is required.