Physical therapy services for people of all ages and diagnoses are coming to the Callaway County YMCA.
Therapists from Mizzou Therapy Services will begin operating out of the local YMCA to offer private evaluations and private treatments. The YMCA is hosting an open house Friday with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. where community members can meet the therapists and tour the facilities.
"We hope this saves (Callaway County residents) some drive time from having to drive to Columbia for any care they might regularly get out there," said Rebecca Edwards, clinical director for Mizzou Therapy Services.
Mizzou Therapy Services already operates seven clinics in Columbia, one in Ashland and one in Boonville. Edwards said YMCA membership isn't required to receive treatment, but patients must have a referral from a physician. Pricing will depend on the individual patient's insurance.
Edwards said this partnership with the local YMCA came out of a vision to be able to provide services in all communities. Amie Conway, the Callaway County YMCA's marketing and events director, said the YMCA is excited for the partnership with Mizzou Therapy Services.
"We're just always wanting to do what's best for the patients and offer a high level of care in everyone's backyard, no matter what size your community is," Edwards said.
Edwards said the clinics will be in place to "help manage pain" and help people maintain a "healthy active lifestyle." Walk-in appointments will be available when their services begin, but Edwards doesn't know how long it will take before time slots are filled so she recommends scheduling appointments in advance.
A room at the YMCA will be dedicated to evaluations and treatments. The program will also have access to the entire facilities at the YMCA.
Edwards said therapists have been seeing patients at the Callaway County YMCA since Oct. 9. She said patients with special cases might be recommended to Mizzou Therapy Services in Columbia.
Therapy services will begin operating 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon Friday. Edwards said Mizzou Therapy Services plans to continue these clinics in Fulton for the foreseeable future.
"We hope it's a lifelong partnership. The model makes a lot of sense for the future of healthcare. We hope we can become a family and stay there," Edwards said.