Photo Credit: Michigan Photography/Eric Bronson
CHS has HEART
HEART stands for Health Equity, Action, Research and Teaching and is a student and faculty-run collaborative pro-bono health clinic based in the College of Health Sciences at UM-Flint.
Our mission is to improve health and health care access for the uninsured and underinsured in Flint and Genesee County. Founded in 2010, HEART is both impacting health outcomes for patients and providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for UM-Flint students from multiple programs. Students who serve in HEART embrace interprofessional collaborative practice and a commitment to addressing health inequities.
Free Health Services for the Flint Community
Students and faculty offer HEART services on campus on Wednesdays and at the Insight Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroscience (IINN) on Fridays. Free services include personalized physical therapy and occupational therapy visits, and three different MoveMore exercise classes designed to help people with neurologic conditions, including chronic stroke, incomplete spinal cord injury, brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease, improve their function.
As a part of HEART, students also volunteer in other community settings. Physical therapy students provide geriatric fall screenings at community centers and physicals for high school athletes. Physician assistant students also mentor youth in an after-school program.
Wednesdays in the William S. White Building on UM-Flint’s campus
- MoveMore for Parkinson’s disease – This exercise class from 10 to 11 a.m. is run by physical therapy and nursing students and is designed to help people with Parkinson’s improve their function through movement.
Fridays at the Insight Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroscience (IINN)
- MoveMore for Walking – This class from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is run by physical therapy and nursing students. It incorporates walking at a high intensity and is helpful for people with chronic stroke, spinal cord injury and brain injury.
- MoveMore for Upper Extremities – This class from noon to 1 p.m. is facilitated by occupational therapy students and faculty. It focuses on exercises designed to help people with chronic stroke improve their arm function.
- Physical Therapy (PT) – PT visits are available on Fridays for anyone with problems moving. People develop issues with moving because of issues with their muscles or bones, brain or spinal cord, heart and lungs, or skin. Students will complete an initial evaluation and develop an individualized treatment plan for you.
- Occupational Therapy (OT) – OT students are available on Fridays to work with people diagnosed with a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and more. OT helps people who have been affected by an injury or medical condition regain independence in daily living skills. Daily living skills can include any activity you need or want to do, such as getting dressed and/or preparing meals.
The progress I have made is unbelievable. I feel very supported. They say, ‘we’ve got you’ and I really feel that. “My husband used to wheel me into the facility and now I walk in. I continue to make progress and my goal is to walk in one day without my cane. It has been a true blessing to me.”
Kimberly Lucas
Flint Resident
HEART Schedule
For referrals, call 734-417-8963 or email [email protected].
For general questions/inquiries, call the College of Health Sciences Dean’s Office at 810-237-6645.
Do you have HEART?
HEART is currently seeking students and clinicians to volunteer their time and services at the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village. Volunteers will be integral in improving health and healthcare access for Flint and Genesee County residents.
- Clinicians can express their interest to volunteer by filling out our Clinician Volunteer Form and someone will contact you to discuss your interest further
- Students can express their interest in volunteering by filling out our Student Volunteer Form and someone will contact you to discuss your interest further
HEART Sponsors
