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JaySTART Clinic

Learn about JaySTART, a free occupational, speech-language and physical therapy clinic at KU Medical Center.

photo of a group of physical therapy students working with a client in the clinicKU Medical Center's Student Teaching and Rehabilitation Training – or JaySTART – Clinic provides free occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology services to the Kansas City community.

The mission of the JaySTART Clinic is to address the barriers to health care access in the Kansas City area by providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services to meet the needs of underserved patient populations.

Students in training, under the direct supervision of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, provide rehabilitation services to patients. Interpreter services are available.


Appointments and Hours

JaySTART provides services both in person and via telehealth using online video conferencing to visit patients remotely. Appointments for in person visits are held at the Kirmayer fitness center on the KU Medical Center campus and are typically Wednesday afternoon 1-4 p.m. Appointments typically last about 45 minutes.


For telehealth appointments, patients are asked to have a mobile device and/or a computer capable of running the free Zoom video conferencing app. Providers are available to assist with setting up the Zoom app. Telehealth appointments are typically held on Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Appointments typically last about 45 minutes.

To make an appointment please send a message to JaySTART@kumc.edu.

Patients are asked to have a mobile device and/or a computer capable of running the free Zoom video conferencing app. Providers are available to assist with setting up the Zoom app.

To refer a patient, please complete the provider referral form (PDF) and send it as an email attachment to JaySTART@kumc.edu.


Available Services

  • Evaluation
  • Functional status assessment
  • Functional activity training
  • Energy conservation training
  • Range of motion/strength
  • Vision screening
  • Adaptive equipment needs
  • Equipment fitting
  • Seating/positioning
  • Treatment
  • Therapeutic activities/exercise
  • Home exercise instruction/education
  • Ergonomics training
  • Speech or communication therapy
  • Swallowing therapy

Health conditions addressed

  • Joint pain
  • Back/neck pain
  • Stroke
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dementia
  • Post-total joint replacement
  • Arthritis
  • General weakness
  • Post-surgery of shoulder
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sports/work-related injuries

Please note, the clinic does not determine disability status.


Clinic Directors

photo of Scarlett Morris

Scarlett Morris, DPT, PT
See bio

photo of Melanie Somogie

Melanie Somogie, M.A., CCC-SLP
See bio

photo of Laurie Steen

Laurie Steen, OTD, OTR/L, CEAS I, CLT-LANA, DRS
See bio

photo of Stacia Troshynski Brown

Stacia Troshynski Brown, DPT, PT
See bio


Donate

The JaySTART clinic provides services at no cost to patients. If you would like to donate and help us continue our work, please select "make a gift" below. 

Make a Gift

KU School of Health Professions

KU School of Health Professions
KU Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Mailstop 2007
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5235 • 711 TTY
healthprofessions@kumc.edu