Spotlight: Dr. Don Walsh Oversees the STAR Clinic

With Dr. Don Walsh’s leadership the UNG Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is partnering with the Community Helping Place to offer pro bono physical therapy services (Student-led Therapy And Rehab clinic known as the STAR clinic) to qualified residents of Lumpkin County (no other provider offers this in Lumpkin County). 

Patients will be referred to the clinic by providers working at the Community Helping Place (CHP) Free Clinic in Dahlonega. These patients will be screened by the CHP as having met the eligibility criteria set forth by the GA dept. of Public Health. Patients will then be seen by a team of three students along with a licensed clinician (PT) from a pool of faculty and area clinical partners. All care will require direct supervision of the licensee as is consistent with GA board of PT, APTA, and UNG's clinical handbook for student experiences.

The STAR clinic supports our UNG Mission statement of serving the rural and underserved population. It also gives our students hands-on experience and fosters mentorship/teamwork among our DPT students in the same and different classes.