HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 20, 2022 – North Carolina Congresswoman Kathy Manning toured High Point University’s Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic on Oct. 12. Physical therapy students and faculty showed her around the facility and demonstrated how the clinic helps the Piedmont Triad community.

The clinic is open 40 hours per week to provide equitable health care access for uninsured and underinsured patients in the community. HPU’s Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic offers patients expert physical therapy, exercise classes, a food pantry, a community garden and much more. Students led the tour for U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning and showed her the community resources available for patients at the clinic.

“It was my pleasure to visit High Point University’s Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic to meet with the wonderful students and medical professionals who are dedicated to improving our community’s health as they work to prepare for their future careers,” said Manning. “It is an honor to represent these hardworking young people in NC-06 and to have this clinic serving as a vital resource that helps our community members to rebuild their strength and get healthy.”

Second-year physical therapy students showed Rep. Manning different ways the clinic provides for the community. For example, in addition to physical therapy services, the clinic also provides a food pantry that is supported by HPU students, faculty and staff. The food pantry is also supported by the Giving Garden, a student-led community garden focused on improving patients’ quality of life.

“Meeting Congresswoman Manning was an incredible opportunity for me and my classmates to work in partnership with a prominent ally for health care advocacy,” said Meghan Crowfoot, a second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student. “From a woman of her influence, it was refreshing to hear the level of interest and genuine curiosity she had for the future of our profession and for our clinic.”

Opportunities like this help prepare HPU students for the future of health care and to interact with local, state and national leaders.

“In HPU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, we provide foundational training that is not just about the patient but also focuses on the broader factors influencing patient and community health,” said Dr. Alicia Emerson, assistant professor and director of clinical practice. “The DPT students are encouraged throughout their education here at HPU to creatively seek ways to overcome challenges facing our profession and impacting our patients. These unique interactions with elected leaders are integral to bipartisan professional advocacy engagement to overcome these challenges.”