Academy Focus: Get to Know APTA Federal

A brief introduction from the president of the academy.Leah Fogarty, APTA Magazine editor, interviewed APTA Home Health President Philip Goldsmith, PT, MDPT, EMT, DScPT, at APTA CSM in Boston. Learn more about what it means to be a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in home health.Visit the APTA Home Health website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine website.

Linda Robinson, PT, MSPT, volunteered in Haiti and discovered a love for teaching the country’s first generation of physical therapists. Access the article on the APTA Magazine webpage for photos and to learn more about this episode’s speaker.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steven George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, talks with Richard Shields PT, PhD, FAPTA, about winning the 2024 Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing. The Rothstein Golden Pen Award recognizes an author who has demonstrated superior writing skills in one or more articles published in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal and has collaborated with or encouraged others to make similar contributions. Shields reflects on his career as a prolific scientist, what it has been like to publish with PTJ, and how he sees the future of peer review.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, Associate Editor Jason Beneciuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, talks with Lena Thiveos, PT, MPhty, and Mark Hancock, PT, PhD, about their recent systematic review that investigated the effectiveness of cognitive functional therapy in the management of chronic low back pain. Thiveos and Hancock define cognitive functional therapy, discuss how their review differs from prior studies based on that definition, and consider how variability in clinician training methods and treatment delivery can influence the results of a study.Thiveos and Hancock are co-authors of the article "Cognitive Functional Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Read the article on the PTJ website.

A brief introduction from the secretary of the academy. Matt Glassoff, PT, DPT, interviewed APTA Federal Secretary Renee Schroeder, PT, DPT, MHA, at APTA CSM in Boston. Learn more about what it means to be a PT or PTA in the federal sector, including providing care across the continuum and being an entry point provider. Visit the APTA Federal website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine webpage. 

Allen Wicken, PT, MSPT, a longtime physical therapist and APTA member, reflects on the interconnectedness of the profession. Access the article on the APTA Magazine webpage for photos and to learn more about this episode’s speaker.

The countdown has begun for the 50th Annual APTA Combined Sections Meeting, which will be held Feb. 13-15, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Whether you’re seeking to advance your clinical skills, earn continuing education credits, explore the latest products and services, or connect with thought leaders in the field, APTA CSM offers something for everyone. APTA Vice President of Strategic Affairs Drew Contreras, PT, DPT, shares how attendees can make the most of their time at APTA CSM in Houston. Plus, he describes the new programming options available for students.Visit csm.apta.org to:Register for APTA CSM.Discover the top sessions identified by each APTA academy and section.Enhance your APTA CSM experience by connecting with colleagues and friends at networking events.National Physical Therapy Month is supported by HPSO.

A brief introduction from the president of the academy.Lauryn Goff, SPT, interviewed APTA Private Practice President Mike Horsfield, PT, MBA, at APTA CSM in Boston. Learn how the skills that PTs have translate to running businesses.Visit the APTA Private Practice website to learn more about the academy. Watch a video of this interview on the APTA Magazine website.

In this episode of the PTJ Podcast, PTJ Student Social Media Lead Gaylan Randle interviews Shannon Richardson PT, DPT, EdD, and Kimberly Varnado, PT, DPT, DHSc, about what inspired the transition from traditional grading practices to equitable grading practices at the College of Saint Mary DPT program. Richardson and Varnado discuss what they have learned from the experience, the long-term impact on learner retention, and recommendations for institutions interested in implementing a similar practice. Richardson and Varnado are co-authors of the article "Equitable Grading Practices in Physical Therapist Education: A Case Report,” which was recently published as part of the education focus for the PTJ Featured Collection on Health Disparities in Rehabilitation. Read the article on the PTJ website.

J. Kele Murdin, PT, MPT, board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy, discusses why PTs should be leaders in falls prevention efforts. Justin Elliott, vice president of government affairs at APTA, shares what APTA is doing to improve access to PT-led falls prevention for Medicare Beneficiaries and veterans.   The following were discussed in this episode. For the full list of links mentioned and a transcript for this episode, visit apta.org/podcasts.