Transforming Society by Optimizing Movement to Improve the Human Experience

As a PT school applicant, I wrote countless drafts of essays about professionalism in the context of being a DPT student. I dissected my perspective on professionalism and thought intently and thoroughly about the APTA Vision Statement, stated above. However, it was not until I witnessed the very process that adopted the APTA Vision Statement, the APTA House of Delegates, that I understood the gravity of the adoption of this vision statement.

Alongside some outstanding DPT and PTA students from several states, I served the House as a student usher by preparing voting devices, welcoming visitors, running notes between state and section delegates, and collaborating with the other ushers to do our best job to support the House.

One word that I would use to describe the House is dedication. Dr. Susan Griffin, Speaker of the APTA House of Delegates, set the tone at each session with poise and sincerity. All delegates, section leadership, Student Assembly leadership, PTA Caucus, the Board of Directors, APTA staff (the list goes on!) were dedicated to perfecting every bit of the language involved in making decisions on issues that affect the physical therapy profession. When I learned that the House utilizes Robert’s Rules of Order parliamentary procedure, I was excited to see how the voice of the minority would be valued, and this is exactly what I observed. Individual opinions were welcomed, considered and brought to vote. Overall, a strong sense of responsibility was displayed by all. Discussions on essential health benefits, sexual harassment, mentorship, and barriers to clinical research, just to name a few, were clearly geared toward transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.

While I was stationed at the door during one session, a physical therapist asked me what the benefits were for volunteering as an usher. I immediately shared how grateful I was to meet so many driven and passionate clinicians. When I introduced myself to clinicians who shared clinical interests similar to my own, they welcomed my inquires and encouraged me to keep in touch. In addition to meeting clinicians whom I will to look up to well beyond my time as a DPT student, I was energized by the passion and talent I found in fellow student ushers, APTA Student Assembly leadership, and student APTA member attendees. Students who are a wealth of knowledge with regard to getting involved and encouraging other students to find their own way to get the most out of their time as students provided guidance and resources for me as an aspiring student leader.

It was such a privilege to be in the presence of individuals who have completed such impactful work for the physical therapy profession. When Lisa Saladin, PT, PhD, was honored for her work on the APTA Board of Directors, all who were mentored by her and all who were mentored by her mentees stood. Not a single individual in the room remained seated. This display of a culture of mentorship was especially inspiring. President Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, delivered an exquisite address providing a comprehensive view of where our profession has been and where we strive to go. President Dunn emphasized that APTA is a community, “We are APTA and APTA is us” and the importance of getting involved with open arms and open minds.

Serving as a student usher was truly transformative. I will return for my second year in PT school with more tools for building my perspective on how I may best serve the profession as a student, and further, as a licensed clinician in a few years. I will encourage other students to seek opportunities such as serving as an usher, as it may spark their interest in enhancing their student experience as it did for me.

Sarah Strong, SPT
Shenandoah University Class of 2020

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