March 10, 2025
Ava Staudt
Students in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences are both “leading” and gaining clinical experience by providing Physical Therapy service at the free, student-run, non-profit Ohio State University Student Physical Therapy Clinic.
Housed in the John R. Maloney Family Health and Wellness Center, the clinic serves the uninsured and underinsured with the goal to improve patients’ lives while enhancing the student clinical experience.
The clinic is full-service, offering a free examination and diagnosis, and a personalized treatment plan to address impairments and limitations of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
Second-year DPT students provide hands-on patient care, while third-year students act in a mentor role providing oversight and guidance. The entirety of the clinic is supervised by an onsite licensed Physical Therapist.
Third-year student Claire Black, chair of the student board, says her position as clinic manager has provided her with an insight into all aspects of a physical therapist’s role in health care.
“I’m in charge of supervising the other board members and also things like making sure the clinic runs smoothly,” Black says. “It’s prepared me to handle things like scheduling challenges, providing exercise programs and making sure we’re teaching the second-year students.”
Second-year student Kaitlyn Snyder says that the mentorship she received from the third-year students enhanced her confidence and ability to provide care.
One of the most valuable skills students learn is creating treatment programs that patients can use in their daily lives, says Marka Salsberry, PT, DPT, associate professor of practice and director of the OSUWMC Acute Care PT Residency in the Division of Physical Therapy.
For instance, Snyder says, she and fellow DPT students learn how to “focus on high-impact interventions that require minimal equipment and that allow for continuity of care at home, in addition to providing patient education on self-management and general health promotion, which are great ways to maximize the time you have with them.”
Dr. Salsberry and Black agree that giving back to the community and providing accessible care is an important aspect of the profession.
“It’s important that our care meets the needs of every single person, not just those with money, and not just those with high health care literacy. There is an access issue, and we are helping to close that gap,” Black says.
The clinic is co-sponsored by PrimaryOne Health and The Ohio State University Physical Therapy Program.