91直播视频students gain invaluable experience through service at Milestone Foundation
The first time Karla Pagan (D.P.T., 鈥19) walked into the Milestone Foundation鈥檚 shelter to volunteer with the 91直播视频鈥檚 foot clinic, she admits she was nervous. 鈥淚 was afraid I wouldn鈥檛 know what to do,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 just wanted to do a good job.鈥
Like countless other 91直播视频students who came before her, Pagan jumped in and learned how to care for Milestone鈥檚 clients. The students wash their feet, inspect them for wounds, and provide them with new, clean socks. Pagan got over her nerves and has returned for every clinic since. 鈥淭his is the one time when I leave the stress of school behind and I can be really mindful and present, focusing on each client and their needs. It gives me the opportunity to work on the interpersonal skills that will be so important in my career as a physical therapist.鈥
The Milestone Foundation operates Maine鈥檚 only specialized substance use disorder emergency shelter. UNE鈥檚 partnership with Milestone began six years ago and blossomed into the Westbrook College of Health Professions Office of Service Learning鈥檚 longest running program. Approximately twice a month, students from a variety of health professions at 91直播视频attend the foot clinic, treating clients in the emergency shelter as well as the detoxification program.
鈥91直播视频has been a great partner for us, all the students and faculty are amazing,鈥 said Milestone Director of Community Outreach Joe McNally. 鈥淭he amount of care and compassion they show our clients is heartwarming. I hope our partnership continues for many years.鈥
The program gives students the opportunity to work with a population they may not have been exposed to before in a collaborative, team-based environment where they work side-by-side with student from other health professions. Denise Tso (D.P.T, 鈥19) says it has helped her to build interpersonal skills because the students are encouraged to engage in conversation with clients. She says it鈥檚 helped her learn the power of relating to people, no matter where they come from.
鈥淭his program has reinforced that as future health professionals, we want to serve people. We are here because we want to be.鈥
To learn more about the Westbrook College of Health Professions Office of Service Learning, visit
To apply, visit