Saturday, October 3, 2009

Join AAOMPT!

From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) Student Special Interest Group (sSIG) social committee chair, Kyle Ridgeway:


Join AAOMPT
PLEASE consider joining. If you aren't sure if you will end up practicing in orthopaedics that is OK!! This is still a GREAT way to support the profession as a whole and begin to get involved. It only costs $15 a year ($60 if you also want to subscribe to the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy) as a student. Doesn't matter if you are a first year, second year, or third year! Check it out HERE!


Gait Belts
The sSIG is holding a fundraiser by selling Gait Belts! These vinyl belts (easily washable) will be black and have the new and improved AAOMPT logo on them!! They are great for labs and clinicals from acute care to neuro to manual therapy (ankle, hip, etc, etc). Or, you could also just wear it as a fashionable belt. They only cost $30. Make checks payable to AAOMPT-sSIG. Please contact directly if you are interested: kyle.ridgeway@ucdenver.edu. We will figure out a way to collect money and then the gait belts will be mailed to you.


AAOMPT sSIG Blog
The student special interest group has a blog. We are trying to update content constantly. Currently, we are posting about one new post a week on various issues. Please check it out HERE! Also, if you have any ideas for blog posts please e-mail myself, sSIGAAOMPT@gmail.com, or comment directly on the blog. We would love for YOU to get involved, hear your ideas, and insights.

We are trying to make the blog a great place for students to discuss ideas related to physical therapy, orthopaedic and manual therapy, and research!! Please visit the BLOG. Check out the posts. Read, comment, critique, suggest!!

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, insights, advice, suggestions, ideas, or generally just want to chat about AAOMPT, ortho, manual therapy, physical therapy, etc. please do not hesitate to contact me. Or, look me up on facebook.


Cheers,

Kyle Ridgeway, SPT III
kyle.ridgeway@ucdenver.edu
University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
Physical Therapy Program

Social Committee Chair: Student Special Interest Group (sSIG): American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Washington State Falls Prevention Day

2009 Falls Prevention Day

History: Falls have been identified as a serious health problem in our state, with 35% of adults 65 and older falling each year. The risk of falls increases as a person ages; by age 85, one in every two adults falls every year. Around 10 – 20% of these falls cause a serious injury, including brain injury and hip fracture. As seniors are the fastest growing segment of our population, it is important to provide strategies to reduce the number of falls and the complications of serious injuries, loss of independence and decreased quality of life.

Beginning in 2006, as a result of a statewide report on falls, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed a statewide proclamation designating the first day of fall as Senior Fall Prevention Awareness Day. The University of Washington PT and OT Programs have participated since 2006. It is the goal to have students from all PT, OT, PTA and OTA programs in the state of Washington participating in this event.

Summary of Event: These events are designed to educate older adults, their families and friends about the factors that increase the risk of falling, and what can be done to prevent falls in the community and at home. At each designated site, students will provide educational materials, talk with older adults about causes for instability and offer advice about how to prevent falls. Interested adults can participate in a falls screening that includes the Timed-Up-And-Go (TUG) and Functional Reach (FR) tests. Based on the results of these tests and other factors (such as type of shoes, previous number of falls, etc.), the student will provide participants with an assessment report card. Training sessions on the TUG, FR, guarding with a gait belt and an overview of fall risk factors and strategies/interventions to decrease the risk of falls will be done just prior to the activity.

Spokane-area Screenings:
September 15- Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W Cleveland, 11 am- 12pm
September 17- Southside Senior Activity and Community Center, 3151 E 27th Ave, 10 am- 12 pm

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Private Practice Section Essay Contest

From July Student E-news:

The Private Practice Section (PPS) is sponsoring an essay contest for all PT students who are less than 1 year from graduation. This is your opportunity to win a complimentary registration to the PPS 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 11-14, 2009.

Two winners of the essay contest will each receive complimentary conference registration (a $600 value), hotel accommodations for 3 nights, and up to $500 toward airfare. To enter the contest, submit:

* A 500-word essay addressing the topic, "The future of private practice physical therapy and why I would like to be involved";
* One reference from a professor;
* One reference from a clinical instructor; and
* A signed statement from your professor/instructor or a copy of your transcript indicating your graduation date.

The deadline for entries is Thursday, August 20, 2009. Submit your entry by e-mail to: privatepracticesection@apta.org or mail to: PPS/APTA, 1055 N Fairfax St, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314. For more information, please contact the Private Practice Section office at 800/517-1167 or privatepracticesection@apta.org.

New Student Loan Legislation Introduced

From July Student E-News:

Congressional legislation to establish a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program that includes physical therapists has been introduced by Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA). The Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2009 (HR 2891) is intended to encourage physical therapists to practice in underserved areas in exchange for forgiveness of student loan debt.

HR 2891, which would amend the Public Health Service Act, creates a process that is similar to the National Health Services Corp (NHSC) in which a provider signs a commitment to practice in an area for at least 2 years in exchange for student loan repayment. Currently, physical therapists are not included in the NHSC's Loan Repayment Program. This legislation would complement the proposed Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2009 (HR 988), which would allow physical therapists to participate in the NHSC's program.

Under HR 2891, providers pledge to practice in a "Frontline Scarcity Area." Scarcity areas include a Health Professional Shortage Area as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration Shortage Designation Branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or an area designated by a state as having a shortage of frontline care services.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

APTA Federal Advocacy Challenge

APTA Advocacy Challenge Our challenge to physical therapy students in all academic programs nationwide to get involved in legislative advocacy at the state, local, and federal levels. Make a legislative visit and educate your local policy makers about the issues effecting the physical therapy profession. Become more knowledgeable about politics and how they affect us and the patients we serve.

· To read more about the Federal Advocacy Forum visit Advocacy at APTA.org and click on the FAF capitol dome icon. (Full meeting agenda to be posted by April 3).

The “Costs” Nitty Gritty – or what to ask for help with!

· Registration : Student FAF Registration is $75

· Housing: Reservation Deadline April 15th APTA Housing Block rate at the Crowne Plaza in Alexandria, VA approximately $130/night, up to 4 in one room – no extra charge

· Airfare, airport to hotel transport, food, transport from hotel or capitol hill to airport for departing flight

PTWA is ready to help students meet the APTA Advocacy Challenge! There’s not much time …BUT -

· We will help one student physical therapist assistant and two student physical therapists with expenses.

o If we have many interested, we will draw names to achieve 3 students representing three different schools.

· Each student will have up to $400 for an advocacy scholarship and must be responsible for expenses over this amount through solicitation of a) friends and family, b) contributions from individual physical therapists c) physical therapist practices

· Students as with all forum attendees need to register and be able to make housing arrangements by April 15th.

· If approved participating student advocates elect to put the $400 towards airfare and have a receipt, they can submit for reimbursement to PTWA.

All students interested must contact PTWA’s Federal Affairs Liaison Sharon McCallum to submit your name as an interested potential PTWA sponsored student advocate.

Other important things to know.

When: The Forum begins Sunday May 17th at noon and ends Tuesday May 19th after your afternoon congressional visits. Do not make any appointments with legislators until you have been approved to be a PTWA sponsored student advocate at FAF 2009.

CEU’s: are awarded after the forum - .7 – 1.0 have been awarded in the past

Programming – Always dynamic!

· Our key legislation is presented so all are comfortable and prepared to meet with legislators. There are typically additional topical presentations added in by invited legislators and frequently DC dignitaries and media commentators.

· There is always some food provided during the forum, this year we will have a Monday evening reception with light hor d’oeurves and breakfast on Capitol Hill at a Senate office buildings. The Crowne Plaza is within walking distance of Old Towne Alexandria where there is a potential for groceries, fast food or sit-down dine in fare.

· The PT - PAC event is Sunday evening and is $35. (for both student and therapists) From 7:30 – 10:30 pm we will cruise up the Potomac on a Cherry Blossom Boat to view the monuments.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Friday, March 6, 2009

Northwest Region Leadership Development Seminar

Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Heathman Lodge
Vancouver, Washington

Featured Presenter: Aimee Klein, PT, APTA Board of Directors

Cost: FREE, must register by 3/26/09

This one-day seminar is designed for current and emerging
component leaders but student attendance is strongly encouraged.
We will strategize alternative ways of operating to streamline processes and work optimally with
others. We will identify ways to turn a strategic plan into action
items and gain a better understanding of how chapters and
National work together to promote Vision 2020. There will be
opportunities to share what works and what doesn’t in each of
your components. Learn how to make a difference!

For full information and registration form contact:
Brett Neilson, APTA Student Assembly Representative at aptasa_nc1@hotmail.com

Saturday, February 28, 2009

President Obama Outlines Health Care Reform Goals

President Obama in his address to Congress Tuesday night laid out his agenda for the coming year, including passage of health care reform in 2009. His budget, released yesterday, creates a reserve fund of $634 billion to partially pay for a vast expansion of the US health care system. The president's plan includes provisions to trim tax breaks for the wealthy and tightening payments to insurers, hospitals, and physicians to help pay for the fund.

Obama said he wants health care reform to take place in a bipartisan atmosphere and spoke of the necessity of compromise. In that spirit, he will be hosting a bipartisan health care summit on March 4.

APTA will be actively involved in the health care reform debate and in influencing the crafting of any legislation. Updates and new information will be provided in PT Bulletin and posted at APTA's Health Care Reform Resource Center.

See other related topics at PT Bulletin Online

Monday, February 23, 2009

University of Washington Rehabilitation Job Fair, April 4th

The University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine will be having a job fair for all PT, OT, PTA, and OTA students and professionals on Saturday April 4, 2009, from 1-4pm, at the University of Washington South Campus Center in Seattle. Last year, more than 130 students and 55 employers from throughout the Northwest attended the Job Fair, and attendance is expected to increase again this year. All PT and OT students as well as OTA and PTA students who are interested in employment are invited. This is a great opportunity to meet with employers from throughout Washington State and the Northwest. For more information on the Job Fair, go to: http://rehabjob.wordpress.com/ or email: rehabjob@u.washington.edu.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Manipulation bill in the House!

Our manipulation bill now has a companion in the House: HB 1918. Sponsors are Reps Liias, Warnick, Ericksen, Upthegrove, Kagi, Hunt, Hinkle and Williams. Although it’s not showing up on the bill search page yet it will be there soon. Here’s the Senate version page:

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Legislative Impact Day

On January 22nd, 2009, 625 physical therapist joined together in Olympia at our state capitol to rally support for SB 5230, removal of the prohibition on spinal manipulation.



See the full article from the Seattle Times

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Let’s Say Goodbye to the Therapy Caps in 2009 – Permanently!

This was posted by Scott Ward, APTA's President, at movingforwardapta.blogspot.com
As 2009 begins, APTA is renewing its fight to repeal arbitrary and harmful Medicare therapy caps that deny access to needed care for hundreds of thousands of senior citizens and patients with disabilities each year. For the 12th consecutive year, APTA’s government affairs team has worked with a bipartisan group of congressional leaders to introduce legislation that will do away with these caps once and for all. 

The 
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (S.46/H.R.43) was introduced yesterday by Senators John Ensign (R-NV), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Representatives Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Mike Ross (D-AR), and Roy Blunt (R-MO). It calls for the repeal of Medicare therapy caps that limit coverage of outpatient rehabilitation services to $1,840 for physical therapy and speech language pathology combined and $1,840 for occupational therapy services.

As those of us in the physical therapy profession know, these arbitrary limits attempt to “contain costs,” but do so at the expense of quality patient care. By introducing this legislation on the first day of the 111th Congress, our nation's leaders are sending a clear message that total repeal of the caps is the best long-term solution to ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries receive the rehabilitation services they need.

It's time to end the year-to-year fixes and pass legislation that fully protects beneficiaries. Unfortunately, however, a solution to this problem has eluded policymakers for more than a decade. What do you think would be an appropriate and patient-friendly cost containment alternative to the therapy caps?

We hope you will resolve 
to join us in this fight and ensure that 2009 is the year that Medicare beneficiaries finally receive the care and compassion they deserve.