Part of the Department of Physical Therapy’s mission is to meet the physical therapy needs of society by advancing the profession through education, research, service, and patient care. This is made apparent through many areas of the program, including its public service within Clínica Esperanza, also known as the Clinic of Hope.
Clínica Esperanza, with the support of Christ Community Health Services, is a primary care clinic serving uninsured and underserved, Hispanic or Latinx patients in Memphis. Launched by the UTHSC College of Medicine in 2005, the clinic aims to enhance care to those who are often experiencing obstacles with language and communication, transportation, access to affordable health care, and other barriers. Student volunteers operate the clinic and provide hands-on services, under the supervision of faculty, every Tuesday at Christ Community’s facility.
The services students provide include updating patient records, interviewing and examining patients, and translating Spanish. From its inception with the College of Medicine, to bringing on the College of Pharmacy, this past year the clinic has grown through a partnership with the Physical Therapy program.
Third-year DPT student Chance Arnold, president of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2023, led the proposal for the program to support Clínica Esperanza and expand physical therapy services to the clinic’s patients.
Read more at our UTHSC news site.