The Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic (PBPTC) at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) is a vital resource for uninsured and underinsured patients in the Yakima Valley community.
The PBPTC provides an ideal setting for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to begin hands-on training before starting their first full-time clinical experience. DPT students collaborate with YUGM Clinic Director Hannah Wilson, PA, and her team of 50 providers offering free healthcare services to patients with nowhere else to turn. DPT students focus on improving movement-based impairments while learning to advocate for better care for vulnerable populations.
Dr. Michael Blizniak, an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy and the director of the PBPTC, says, “I am astounded by our students’ drive to learn and grow as student physical therapists. We improve physical therapy access within the Yakima Valley and have established a great relationship within the clinic.” This partnership helps ensure patients receive the care they need and deserve.
“Our patients are here because they have nowhere to go partly due to the shortage of primary care physicians in our valley or they simply can’t afford the care they would get in other places,” says Wilson. While patients at the YUGM can leave a donation, they can still be seen without one. The YUGM also has access to free labs and images, which patients don’t have to pay for.
The PBPTC at YUGM provides a critical safety net for patients who would otherwise go without care. By prioritizing access to physical therapy services, patients can improve their mobility and quality of life, reducing their risk of suffering from musculoskeletal dysfunction and other health conditions. In addition, the PBPTC helps address healthcare disparities and provides much-needed support to underserved communities.
If you want to learn how to refer clients to the PBPTC or would like more information, please contact Dr. Michael Blizniak at mblizniak@pnwu.edu. Together, we can continue to make a difference in patients’ lives in the Yakima Valley and beyond.