Doctor of Physical Therapy students attended and presented at the virtual Pro Bono Network Conference in early April. The mission of the conference is to facilitate the networking of students participating in student-run pro bono clinics that are delivering rehabilitation healthcare services to the uninsured and underinsured of our communities. Second-year students Angelina Castelli, Kathleen Huffman, Marisa Kastner, and Claire Wilhoite presented the projects they completed as a part of their community engagement groups or for their final Health Promotion courses.
As a part of the Pediatrics in Pro Bono Panel, Kathleen and Angelina presented their project, entitled “Creating Individual and Group Virtual Adaptive Gymnastics Classes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
“Presenting at The Pro Bono Conference was an amazing opportunity to share details regarding Children on the Go’s creation of virtual adaptive gymnastics during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Kathleen said. “It was also great to hear about other SPT/DPT efforts across the country to promote health, wellness, and physical activity in pediatric settings.”
Additionally, Marisa and Claire presented their project “Addressing Social Isolation, Physical Inactivity and Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Older Adults Using Online Exercise and Flyers” during the panel that addressed mental health.
“This past year has been a great learning and growing opportunity,” Claire explained. “It was amazing and humbling to share at the Pro Bono Network Conference how the Community Health team was able to use Zoom to bring exercise bingo to the residents at the Gainesville Housing Authority and to modify exercises to include everyone.”