ACC Physical Therapist Assistant Program Launches New Clinical Partnership

American Career College physical therapist assistant students and PTA Program Director Dr. Jennifer Whitney pose outside the Lestonnac Free Medical Clinic in Orange, Calif. on July 18, 2015.

On July 18, American Career College Physical Therapist Assistant students helped launch a new pro bono physical therapy clinic at Lestonnac Free Medical Clinic in Orange, Calif.

"We're thrilled to help support the physical therapy needs of Orange County through our pro-bono physical therapy clinic and grateful of Lestonnac for this opportunity," ACC Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director Dr. Jennifer Whitney, PT, DPT, KEMG said. "This is a great day, as we have a clinic home to serve the community."

To ensure Lestonnac Free Medical patients receive necessary therapy services, Dr. Whitney joined an interdisciplinary team of Lestonnac physicians and health practitioners to screen and consult community members appropriate for physical therapy services.

Nine students — eight from ACC's first PTA cohort — were able to participate and experience the clinic firsthand by learning under the supervision of the licensed physical therapists. Students supported the patients through their visit in data collection and entry, orientation and education of the new patients.

“Students learn through serving our community directly. This means our students have direct, supervised clinic experience and training to solidify all therapy skills while in the program, augmenting their formal terminal training in clinical affiliations," Dr. Whitney said.

Since 1979, Lestonnac Free Clinic has provided no-cost primary medical, dental and mental health services to the uninsured, medically indigent and for people who don't qualify under any third-party program. The group hosts 23 independent walk-in clinics with more than 250 doctors in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Lestonnac does not bill for services or accept any government funding.

Click here for more information on ACC's 20-month physical therapist assistant associate degree program.

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