Our 2026 Beneficiary

A Philanthropic Foundation

Glen and Polly Barton have long been woven into the fabric of Bradley University and the Peoria community. Their support for the clinic reflects a deep commitment to expanding access to care and strengthening educational opportunities. The Bartons’ gift, combined with donations from others, enabled Bradley to relocate the clinic to a 20,000 square foot, purpose‑built facility in Campustown, designed to mirror a real rehabilitation environment. The new space brings faculty, students, and clients together under one roof, creating a setting that supports individualized care, collaborative learning, and a broader reach within the community.

​

A Clinic Built on Purpose

Founded in 2016, the Clinic for Fitness and Function was created to meet a critical need in the region: long‑term physical therapy and wellness services for individuals with chronic neurological conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and others who often lack adequate insurance coverage. The clinic’s mission is simple and powerful—provide care without financial barriers, and prepare future clinicians through meaningful, supervised practice.

​

Each year, more than 80 Doctor of Physical Therapy students and 10–15 undergraduate Kinesiology and Health Science students participate in the clinic’s operations. They serve 25–30 clients per semester through two primary pathways: individualized 10‑week rehabilitation sessions and a group‑based fitness program. Every client receives personalized attention, with two to three students assigned to each case. This structure creates a learning environment that is both rigorous and deeply supportive.

​

A Collaborative Model of Care

The clinic’s interdisciplinary approach enhances the experience for both clients and students. Faculty and students from nutrition and dietetics contribute to care plans, ensuring that clients receive holistic support that addresses physical, nutritional, and social needs. The clinic also hosts summer treatment days, offering early exposure to neurologic conditions for students and additional opportunities for clients to engage socially and continue their progress.

​

The outcomes reflect the clinic’s impact: more than 160 clients served since its founding, approximately 70 students engaged each semester, over $50,000 in grants and donations, and more than ten scholarly products. These achievements highlight the clinic’s dual role as a community health resource and an academic center that advances evidence‑based practice.

​

Expanding Reach Through Wellness in Action

In 2021, the clinic broadened its community engagement through the Wellness in Action Initiative, a preventative exercise and wellness program developed at the request of the Peoria Fire Department. Initially offered virtually, the program served 26–54 firefighters each spring and fall, providing in‑person assessments and an eight‑week remote exercise program.

​

The opening of the new space in Campustown enabled the program to be provided in person. Firefighters visit campus for an initial evaluation followed by treatment sessions in the new strength and conditioning space. DPT students design programs to meet each firefighter's specific goals.  Nursing seniors now assist with initial assessments, and Family and Consumer Sciences faculty and students provide nutritional evaluations and behavior‑change programming. 

​

A Training Ground for Future Clinicians

The Glen and Polly Barton Clinic for Fitness and Function Barton Clinic is equipped with advanced rehabilitation technology, hospital‑room simulators, high‑tech monitoring systems, and specialized neurological rehabilitation equipment.  The design intentionally mirrors a real medical environment, giving students authentic clinical exposure while providing clients with a comfortable, accessible, and professional care setting. Key features include specialized equipment such as an overhead track system and Lite-Gait harness system, high-quality strength and conditioning equipment, a hospital-room simulation suite that allows students to practice patient handling and clinical decision-making in a low-stakes environment; and accessible design elements that support clients with mobility challenges. 

​

For Bradley students, the clinic is more than a training site—it is an essential part of their professional development. The clinic enhances undergraduate and graduate admissions, supports coursework such as KHS 300, Experiential Learning, and offers early exposure to the complexities of neurological rehabilitation. Students gain confidence, clinical skill, and a deeper understanding of the human side of health care.

​

Future plans include expanding collaborations across campus and offering specialized programming for additional client populations.  The clinic’s new facility provides the space and infrastructure needed to support these ambitions.

​

A Lasting Legacy

Through all of this, the Bartons’ impact remains central. Their generosity made it possible for Bradley to expand the clinic’s physical footprint, modernize its equipment, and create a space that supports both high‑quality care and exceptional learning. Their commitment to accessible health services and student development continues to shape the clinic’s direction and deepen its influence within the community.

​

Today, the Glen and Polly Barton Clinic for Fitness and Function stands as a testament to what thoughtful philanthropy can achieve. It is a place where individuals with chronic neurological conditions receive care without financial barriers, where students gain confidence and skill through hands-on practice, and where community partnerships flourish. The clinic’s history reflects a powerful blend of generosity, academic excellence, and service—ensuring that Bradley University remains a leader in compassionate, innovative, and accessible health care education.