Since opening its doors in Fall 2013, the HUG Clinic at GateWay Community College continues to see an increase in demand as over 200 patients have been seen. To provide further assistance to the community as well as additional experience to healthcare students, the clinic is adding respiratory therapy to its services.
“Part of GateWay’s mission is to serve the community around us,” said Jessica Goodman, physical therapy assisting faculty and HUG Clinic co-creator. “The HUG Clinic is one way in which we serve.”
As part of the population continues to be uninsured or underinsured, the clinic continues to see a spike in the services it provides to the community. The services provided by the clinic can help save time and money to those that need it the most.
“Patients often wonder if they should spend their money to see a doctor because of concerns they will be told you are ok,” said Goodman. “We have the capability to see some of these soft tissues injuries and determine if there is a need for an MRI or for a doctor’s visit before a client pays out of pocket; it’s like providing a guide to treatment.”
The underinsured have also benefited from the services the clinic offers. One example cited was a patient with a wrist fracture who may only get to have six therapy sessions covered by insurance. However, this is usually not sufficient, as this type of injury tends to heal slowly. The clinic helps bridge that gap.
The establishment of the clinic as well as its growth has attracted other healthcare programs at GateWay to participate in this endeavor. Under the leadership of Toni Rodriguez, the respiratory care program has joined the HUG Clinic and other programs have also expressed interest.
“We realized there is nothing on this side of town for them to have a pulmonary maintenance program and that is what this is about,” said Kathy Patterson, respiratory care faculty. “I also want students get to see people wanting to improve their lives and making things better for themselves when they have a big challenge.”
The clinic provides not only free pulmonary rehab for those affected by pulmonary disease, but also has an educational component to help improve the lives of patients and provide them with the tools needed to succeed.
“We are hoping to give people an option to learn how to exercise and also offer educational classes to cover many of the things that could benefit them,” said Patterson. “There are so many aspects of their lives that they have to think about when they have COPD and learn how they are managing it.”
Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, as well as those with asthma can greatly benefit from the services provided at the clinic. In order to be seen, patients need to have a doctor’s clearance to exercise.
Lynn Olson, an area resident, has been accompanying her spouse to the clinic in order for him to receive help with pulmonary rehab and has noticed this is a good experience for her spouse.
“It has been great! I thought I would have a hard time getting him to come but he is really enjoying it,” said Olson. “It is good for him and it will help build him up. I think it is wonderful that GateWay is providing these services.”
For respiratory care students, the HUG Clinic helps provide additional clinical experiences, thus making them more well-rounded students.
The growth in community visits has also prompted an interest in expanding the offerings at the clinic. Some of the other services that are being considered include radiation therapy, nursing and health unit coordinating.
“When we launched the clinic with Ultrasound and Physical Therapy assisting as its core services, we had a vision of making the clinic a place where our healthcare programs would unite to serve the community,” said Goodman. “The name Healthcare United at GateWay came from that vision.”
The clinic also helps establish GateWay Community College as a center of excellence in the healthcare field.
To learn more about the HUG Clinic or to book an appointment, please visit: