2024 September/October Newsletter by APTA New York

APTA NEW YORK NEWSLETTER

September/October2024

A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Fall is quickly approaching, in September many physical therapists are focusing on fall prevention and Healthy Aging awareness In October we are asking all Physical Therapists to celebrate our profession in a meaningful way One year ago, APTA New York began planning and implementing a number of Access To Health events throughout New York, allowing therapists to exhibit the benefits of physical therapy to the public while educating about the role direct access plays in our current healthcare model. These events also allow us to educate the public about how enhancing direct access can and will positively impact the health, and well-being of our communities These events have provided our profession with valuable recognition in the news media with the goal of improving Direct Access and Supervision requirements for PTA’s.

In rural and urban areas alike, accessing quality health care can be difficult. APTA New York is working on demonstrating to the public and lawmakers that restricting access to physical therapy care only serves to add to this burden.

We are hoping to heighten this awareness in October, Physical Therapy Month, by having multiple statewide Access to Health events, in clinics that have volunteered to open for a few hours on Saturday, October 26th to showcase, themselves, their clinics, and our value as a profession These locations have answered the call for volunteers to partner with APTA New York in demonstrating our worth to our communities and to celebrate our profession in a way to demonstrate how getting the right care at the right time can greatly impact the health of our society

"There is no better time to educate ourselves and our external stakeholders that early intervention by a Physical Therapist can lower overall treatment costs.”

APTA NEW YORK NEWSLETTER

September/October2024

There is no better time than now to educate ourselves and our external stakeholders that early intervention by a Physical Therapist can lower overall treatment costs, minimize the episode of injury, and help avoid surgery The recently published study “The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States” highlights how Physical Therapy improves patient outcomes within our current healthcare model and supports the expansion to recognizing Physical Therapy as an entry point provider in collaboration with physicians as part of a better integrated and more cost-effective healthcare model, which will greatly improve patient’s likelihood of accessing the right care at the right time

September/October2024

SPRING BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT

MAY 31, 2024

The Spring Board of Directors Meeting was held on in Saratoga Springs, NY. Below is a summary of the Motions approved and some discussion topics. Please refer to the 2024 Spring BOD draft minutes on the website for more detail

THESE MOTIONS WERE PASSED AND APPROVED:

Arthur J Nelson Research Designated Fund award recipients. Approved Research Committee’s selection of Molly Torbitt, PT, DPT, PhD and Terea Szu-Hua Chen, PT, PhD to receive $5,000 each for their projects

Creation of the Membership and Communications Committee as a standing committee of the Chapter/Dissolve the Membership and Engagement Committee and the Marketing Committee. The new committee will promote Chapter membership recruitment and retention activities, provide guidance, feedback and suggestions on public relations and outreach initiatives and develop ways to drive awareness and outreach to current members, potential new members, and lapsed members and to guide them in connecting with the association

Submitting the current 2020-2024 Strategic Plan to the 2024 Delegate Assembly for adoption as the Chapter’s 2025-2026 Strategic Plan. The EC would like to extend the time in which the new methods for completion of the BOD reports for further assessment. APTA will be revising the National Strategic Plan in 2026, the EC is interested to consider the National Strategic Plan for APTA New York’s next plan

Approval of $30,000 for WAV Strategies through November 2024 to continue to work with WAV on PR related activities for the Chapter.

SUMMARY OF GENERATIVE DISCUSSION:

WAV Strategies presented on PR activities to date and planned/anticipated activities for near future.

Vice President Masaracchio presented a Decision Tree model for potential use by BOD and EC. Purpose, process and indication for use were discussed. Document will be for informal use and be housed as a guidance document in the Policy Manual

September/October2024

SPRING BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT CONT.

SUMMARY OF GENERATIVE DISCUSSION CONTINUED:

Need for volunteers for Special Olympic activities evolved to discussion regarding increased need for volunteers for various Chapter activities. President suggested adding a check box to sign ins to district events asking permission to contact participants who may be nonmembers regarding volunteer opportunities Discussion regarding need to find innovative ways that are organized to get the call out for volunteers.

Program Committee has been working on planning for Conference 2025. BOD discussion regarding timing of Conference, potential locations geographically and institutional vs hotel based were discussed. Discussion regarding current theme for Conference as well as formats

Western brought concern from District member regarding inclusion of clinicians working at/with Physician Owned Practices.

DEI committee reported that they are looking at ways to structure mentorship for students/new professionals

Clarification regarding activities on BOD reports/Strategic Plan as to whether non-Chapter related events can/should be included and difficulty members having separating roles/activities into the different items on the report

Suggestion from National to change Bylaws to Rules of Order as Chapters are not separate entities from National

Ideals for creating/expanding local Lobbying activities was discussed.

Review of current staff roles and discussion of needs of membership for staff support were discussed Further discussion will be held at Fall BOD meeting once new Chapter website is up and running

Congratulations to Ann Len (B/SI) who was elected unanimously as Member at Large by the BOD.

September/October2024

APTA NEW YORK NEEDS CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

The nominating committee would like to start to get the word out for next year’s elections. At our 2025 Delegate Assembly, elections will be held to fill the following leadership roles:

Treasurer

Secretary

Chief Delegate

Nominating Committee Member

These roles are crucial in moving our Chapter forward. The Chapter has a dynamic strategic plan to guide us through 2025. APTA New York's mission is to empower and support its members in advancing the practice and profession of physical therapy through advocacy, education, research, integrity, honesty, credibility, respect, open dialogue, collegiality, and member parity are the core values of the association.

If the mission and core values speak to you then please consider running for a position. If this is not the right time for you to serve, please reflect on the leaders and members in your district who are qualified for these positions. If you recognize a colleague as a good candidate – then tell them! We tend to be intimidated by the thought of serving in a leadership role; your encouragement may prove crucial to someone in recognizing their potential to serve the APTA New York

Please talk to your colleagues and ask them to consider running for one of these positions.

September/October2024

APTA NEW YORK NEEDS CHAPTER LEADERSHIP CONT.

At the 2025 APTA New York Delegate Assembly (DA), we will vote for delegates to the APTA House of Delegates (HOD) in The House of Delegates is an APTA policymaking body that comprises voting delegates (chapters, sections/academies, PTA Caucus) and nonvoting delegates (th Board of Directors, ACAPT, APTA Student Assembly, Ethics and Judicial Committee Bylaws and House Documents Committe and consultants. The House meets annua making decisions on issues that may have reaching implications for the association a the profession of physical therapy. The Ho also elects national leaders, including the APTA Board of Directors and APTA Nominating Committee.

Consider running as a delegate for the 2026 APTA House of Delegates!

We look forward to hearing from you.

September/October2024

WCB PTA BILL SIGNED INTO LAW, EXPANDING WORKERS' COMP CARE

APTA New York is happy to report that the WCB PTA Bill (S9462-A/A 1204-A) was signed into law over the weekend by Governor Hochul.

This new law will allow occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants to provide care to workers’ compensation patients under the direction and supervision of an authorized provider.

This change will take effect on October 27th, and we will be on the lookout for any updates from the Workers Compensation Board.

APTA New York would like to thank the Governor, our legislative sponsors, our lobbyist, Kate Herlihy, the public policy committee, and all of the members who attended lobby day to help educate legislators on the importance of this bill.

APTA

September/October2024

CHAPTER HAPPENINGS

Weextendaheartfeltthankyouto everyonewhojoinedustopromotethe #ChoosePTmovementattheTodayShow! ThiseventwasafantasticstarttoNational PhysicalTherapyMonth,andwelook forwardtocontinuingoureffortstoraise awarenessaboutthevitalroleofphysical therapy!

OctoberisNationalPhysicalTherapy Month!Staytunedforupdateson upcomingAPTANewYorkchapterevents aswecelebratethevitalroleofphysical therapyinpromotinghealthandwellness. Don’tmissthechancetogetinvolvedand supportourcommunity!

APTANewYorkmembersattendedthe prestigiousAPTAHouseofDelegates meetingin2024,wheretheyengagedin impactfuldiscussionsandcontributedto thefutureofphysicaltherapy Our delegationproudlyrepresentedNewYork withprofessionalismandacommitment toadvancingtheprofession.