Shenango Physical Therapist Assistant Club helps medical equipment loan program

SHARON, Pa. - Students in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Club at Penn State Shenango recently completed what has become an annual community service project at the Medical Equipment Recycling Program (MERP) in Farrell.

MERP is an initiative of the UPMC Horizon Community Health Foundation, which loans durable medical equipment and supplies to patients in the community who may not have access due to financial burdens or other limitations. Also, the MERP initiative seeks to limit the environmental impact of the health care industry by preventing medical equipment from being unnecessarily discarded.

"MERP is a great resource serving the community and providing convenient access with locations in both Mercer and Lawrence County," Shenango PTA student Nick Rodocoy said. "There was a plethora of equipment available, even for pediatric patients."

During the PTA Club Work Day volunteer event, students assembled storage carts, sanitized and organized medical equipment, and assisted the facility director with general maintenance needs while learning about the program's resources and service mission to the community. Shenango PTA students were also encouraged to share information about the resources of the MERP initiative with their future patients.

"Prior to this experience, I didn't know MERP existed," said Morgan Orr, a student in Shenango's PTA program. "I work in a physical therapy clinic and already referred someone to the MERP program."

Penn State Shenango's official student organizations, such as the Physical Therapist Assistant Club, are required to incorporate community service projects into their academic year agendas.

"I have seen the benefits that MERP offers to residents in the community," said Gizelle Dean, physical therapist assistant program coordinator and PTA Club advisor. "Without this program, residents may be void of the necessary medical equipment following surgery or other medical issues."