On the first day of the Federal Advocacy Forum, I was excited to see such a sincere interest in advocacy in the physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and students attending from 48 states. It was a privilege to be one of more than 70 students present. I was immediately energized by the impact each piece of the forum seemed to have on everyone surrounding me. From the “Town Hall” on Sunday evening to house visits on Tuesday afternoon, each moment provided opportunities for personal and professional growth.As a student new to professional advocacy, I am grateful for the mentorship I found within the team from New Jersey, my home state. Equipped with a PT program faculty member, a director of a geriatric physical therapy residency program, a director of documentation review, a third-year student, and myself, we were a diverse group. I enjoyed learning about the different professional journeys that these physical therapists took and how their individual clinical and professional experiences motivate them to advocate. After previous forum attendees walked me through the process, I felt prepared to discuss key issues with congressional staff.
Main highlights of the forum were the senate and house visits. We discussed The CONNECT for Health Act, The Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act, The Higher Education Act (PROSPER), The Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry and the value of physical therapy in efforts to address opioid abuse. It was exciting to learn how we can make a difference in how physical therapy is considered when legislative decisions are made. By educating legislative staff about how physical therapy benefits patients and how the profession is affected by legislation, we can help our lawmakers make more informed decisions.
To be surrounded by physical therapists and physical therapy assistants who are passionate about advocating for physical therapy and the patients we serve was beyond special. Among many distinguished individuals, I met Dr. Susan Griffin, the APTA Speaker of the House, who spoke with me about the House of Delegates and what I might expect as a volunteer house usher. I learned about submitting comments in response to proposed regulations in a breakout session with Kara Gainer, APTA Director of Regulatory Affairs. Stephanie Weyrauch, a co-host of The Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast, led a motivating talk about engaging in advocacy as a student and maintaining involvement beyond earning a DPT. I was also delighted to meet so many driven students from all over the country. These students have pursued a variety of advocacy efforts, such as hosting national advocacy dinners, founding a state Student Special Interest Group, and making strides to encourage classmates to engage in advocacy.I am excited to jump into my second year of PT school energized about the physical therapy profession and with new tools and knowledge to inform how I will encourage other students to find their roles as advocates! Federal Advocacy Forum was an enriching experience, and I am so grateful to the Virginia Physical Therapy Association for sponsoring my attendance. I strongly encourage all students and professionals who are even slightly interested to seek opportunities to attend and get involved!