Indianapolis, Indiana – The bright and bustling front lobby of the Baxter YMCA looked a little different on May 29. Instead of just greeting visitors headed for their regular classes, the space was transformed into a vibrant hub of learning, conversation, and hands-on demonstrations—thanks to the work of nearly 50 second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from the University of Indianapolis.
This was the “Spring Into Wellness” Health & Wellness Fair, a one-day event built entirely around the needs and interests of the community it served. The inspiration for the fair came months earlier, when first-year DPT students in Health Promotion and Wellness I visited the YMCA to meet with members of the Active Older Adults (AOA) program. Through open conversations and targeted interviews, these students asked one essential question: what matters most to you when it comes to your health? The answers, as it turned out, would shape everything that followed.
During the summer semester, the baton was passed to the second-year students in Health Promotion and Wellness II. With guidance from faculty members Dr. Julie Gahimer and Dr. Jill Henderzahs-Mason, the students took those community responses and transformed them into an array of interactive exhibits, games, and educational stations. Attendees could explore everything from no-equipment workouts for strength and flexibility to nutrition tips, mindfulness strategies for chronic conditions, and brain-stimulating games for cognitive health.
“It was a real success,” said Gahimer. “The students had nothing but good things to say about it. Several of the Y members told me, ‘Wow, that was really good. That was really informative.’”
The fair’s location was intentional. By holding it in the main lobby during a busy morning, students could naturally connect with dozens of older adults as they arrived for fitness classes or social gatherings. Many visitors lingered at a single station for 15 minutes or more, engaging in in-depth conversations with the DPT students about topics that mattered to them personally. These weren’t quick handouts—they were genuine, one-on-one exchanges designed to empower people to make informed health decisions.
For Gahimer, who serves on the Baxter YMCA Advisory Board and teaches a weekly “Fitness Following Disability” class there, the event was more than just a class project. It was the realization of an idea she had envisioned for years. “I’ve dreamed about having a health fair at the YMCA for active older adults for years, especially one related to health promotion,” she said. “To see it all come together so well is a dream come true. And the timing is so cool that the baton can be passed to the older students. I cannot wait for the first-year students who did the interviewing last fall to be able to see the end result with the health fair next summer.”
Dr. Henderzahs-Mason noted that the event demonstrated the profession’s broader mission beyond rehabilitation. “The Health & Wellness Fair offered a valuable opportunity for our DPT students to bring their learning full circle,” she said. “It not only allowed them to apply their knowledge in a meaningful way but also underscored the vital role of physical therapists as advocates for health promotion and wellness within our community.”
The project also offered a unique, layered learning process. First-year students conducted the groundwork through interviews and data gathering. Second-year students then analyzed the feedback—categorized and organized by the faculty—and brought the information to life in tangible, engaging formats. In doing so, both groups played a crucial role, with their contributions building on one another. This approach will continue annually, ensuring that each incoming class participates in a similar cycle of community engagement.
The impact was clear in the students’ reflections after the event. Many described the fair as an invaluable chance to practice health promotion and patient education skills in a friendly, low-pressure environment. Several students reported measurable increases in self-rated confidence, particularly in adapting communication styles to fit the needs of different audiences. Others said the experience deepened their appreciation for a physical therapist’s role as a community educator and health advocate—an aspect of the profession that often gets less attention in the classroom.
Beyond professional skills, the students also saw firsthand the power of listening. The topics they presented weren’t chosen from a textbook—they came directly from the people who attended. That made the event not only informative, but deeply personal for those involved.
By embedding service learning projects like this into the curriculum, the DPT program ensures that students leave with more than just technical knowledge. They graduate with a genuine understanding of how to engage, educate, and advocate for health at both the individual and community level.
The Health & Wellness Fair is expected to grow in the coming years, with more partners, more interactive stations, and even more opportunities for students to translate their knowledge into action. If the energy in the Baxter YMCA lobby that day was any indication, this annual tradition is already making a meaningful impact—one conversation, one health tip, and one empowered community member at a time.
