Real Patients, Real Learning: Community Volunteers Power Hands-On Education at UIndy

For students in the University of Indianapolis Krannert School of Physical Therapy, some of their most meaningful lessons don’t come from textbooks or lectures, but from the community members who volunteer their time, share their stories, and trust students with their care.

The Community Patient Resource Group (CPRG) comprises community members who volunteer to provide hands-on learning experiences for UIndy physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapist assistant (PTA) students. These volunteers have had, or currently have, medical or rehabilitation conditions—such as above-knee amputations, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries—allowing students to see, feel, and better understand the impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions discussed in the classroom.

Each semester, students are assigned to work with CPRG volunteers in a lab setting. Under the supervision and guidance of Krannert School of Physical Therapy faculty, students perform evaluations and provide treatment just as they would in a clinical environment. The program also gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in specialty areas such as pediatrics and neuroscience—made possible through the dedication and investment of CPRG volunteers.

“It is a really innovative way for healthcare students, especially in PT and OT, to get hands-on experience with both communication skills and technical skills with actual community members in a supportive environment,” said Dr. Tracy Porter, chair of the Krannert School of Physical Therapy. “This truly is a unique model, having community volunteers invest so deeply in our programs. Having been here a little over one year, I can already see the immense value our volunteers bring to the experience and learning of our students.”

The CPRG was created more than 25 years ago by longtime volunteer Jim Chaney, who was recently recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the Krannert School of Physical Therapy’s “Thanks-For-Giving” Luncheon. He was honored alongside Kristina McClain, who has been involved with the CPRG since her undergraduate studies at UIndy.

“We have a network of over 200 volunteers who are now part of our UIndy community, and they’ve become an extension of our KSPT family,” said Dr. Porter. “They are our best ambassadors in the community, and they’re often the ones who help us recruit new students and new CPRG volunteers.”

For many volunteers, participation in the CPRG is rooted in gratitude and a desire to give back—especially after experiencing the impact of physical and occupational therapy firsthand.

“They just have a desire to support these young people,” said Dr. Porter. “Many of them have encountered healthcare providers or physical therapists in their own journeys, and they’ve been so helped by them that they want to give back.”

That generosity doesn’t go unnoticed by students. After each CPRG session, students submit reflections on their experiences, and Dr. Porter has observed a noticeable shift in confidence—sometimes between just the first and third encounters.

“The CPRG volunteers are our first patients,” said Christine Brough ’26 (DPT). “The valuable lessons we learn from them go on to impact every patient we see throughout our careers.”

“We’ve had the privilege of working with the CPRG volunteers for two labs in just our first semester here,” added Sam Peters ’28 (DPT). “They’ve helped us gain confidence and have inspired us to be the best physical therapists we can be.”

Through the Community Patient Resource Group, classroom concepts come to life. By working directly with community volunteers, students gain critical hands-on experience that builds confidence, sharpens clinical skills, and reinforces the importance of compassionate care. These early patient interactions prepare UIndy students not just to succeed in their programs, but to enter the healthcare field ready to make a meaningful impact from day one.