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Humanitarian Partnerships, Physical Therapy Students and Faculty Making a Difference
Contributed by Cathy Peterson, PT, EdD.
With the current financial situation, people may be finding it more
difficult to expend personal resources for humanitarian relief efforts;
however, the need for outreach and services in the third world has not
diminished.
One potential
solution to the shortage of personal funds and volunteer personnel is to
incorporate opportunities for service into professional educational
programs.
Service organizations
and universities may be able to fund jointly these opportunities which
benefit not only the recipients of the service, but the students,
faculty, and service organizations themselves.
One such partnership
has been developed between the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the
University of the Pacific and local Rotary Clubs.
The result has been the annual provision of faculty and student
experts for Rotary-sponsored wheelchair distribution trips.
This
was the first time a physical therapist accompanied Rotarians from
California’s Central Valley. I instructed several Rotarians in how to
adjust the wheelchairs for the recipients and she educated family
members and caregivers in transfer training and body mechanics. Upon
returning from Ecuador, we recognized the value of this partnership
between Rotary and the Department of Physical Therapy, and the potential
impact on students and future wheelchair recipients. The Stockton Rotary
Club and several other Rotary Clubs in the district have since committed
funds for two students to participate each year in similar experiences.
In November 2007, two students and I accompanied
the Central Valley Rotary Clubs to Peru and in 2008, to Guatemala.
A third opportunity presented
itself when the Wheelchair Foundation invited the faculty member and a
student to Medellin, Columbia, to evaluate a new pediatric wheelchair
they were distributing for the first time.
This partnership has served as an impetus for engaging students and
faculty actively in international service missions. These opportunities
enable them to contribute their expertise while adding to their
development as culturally competent clinicians and educators. Our
Department's goals are to: 1. Enhance students' awareness of issues
faced when providing care for diverse populations; 2. Provide insight
into considerations regarding potential issues for immigrant relations;
3. Promote students' appreciation of the importance of self-reflection
as a means of enrichment; and 4. Broaden the students' perspectives of
international humanitarian opportunities with culturally diverse
populations.
Sharing these goals with the University, and putting them into the
perspective of the University’s
priorities, namely:
I. Heighten Academic Distinctiveness – Sharing with other
students and faculty our personal growth and professional experiences
with different cultures (socio-economic, medical, cultural);
III. Strengthen Competitive Positioning - Sharing our experiences
on the physical therapy departmental web page demonstrates to applicants
the University's commitments to cultural competence and community
service; and
V. Expand External Relationships - As we attempt to address a
university priority, this venture has been the beginning for the
department as we strive to develop local and international partnerships
for outreach;
Following each of the Rotary-sponsored wheelchair distributions, the
With an "n" of 4 students and no objective data, it is impossible to
draw conclusions as to the significance of these opportunities.
However, one of the two students who has since graduated,
returned to Peru to volunteer her services as a PT for 1 month.
Moreover, Rotarians have indicated that they are committed to
continuing the partnership to further the effectiveness of their
outreach efforts and to promote service learning and the mission of
Rotary to our aspiring clinicians.
In closing, partnering with service organizations can provide a means
for student participation in service, both locally and globally.
The benefits are far reaching and the need is there.
It is incumbent upon us to explore creative solutions in these
trying times. |
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The development of this partnership began in November of 2006, when
Rotary Clubs from the district in which the University of the Pacific
resides, went to Ecuador for the purpose of delivering 280 Wheelchair
Foundation wheelchairs to people in need. An adjunct faculty member, Dr.
Joseph Serra, who is a retired orthopedic surgeon, invited me, a
Physical Therapist faculty member, to accompany the Rotary Club because
of my expertise with physically disabled people and assistive mobility
devices. 
students who participated present their experiences to the entire Doctor
of Physical Therapy student body, faculty and University administrators.