2016 APTA Federal Advocacy Forum

This April, the TSPTA in conjunction with the TPTA Membership Committee provided four physical therapy students with $250 scholarships to attend APTA’s Federal Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C.. After they returned, we asked them the following questions:


Why did you want to attend FAF?


What was your favorite part of FAF?


What is the biggest thing you learned from attending FAF?


Do you plan on attending again in the future?


Check out their responses below!


Elizabeth Brewer, SPT (Texas Women’s University – Houston, TX)


Why did you want to attend FAF?

I wanted to attend FAF because physical therapy is an evolving field.  Within the last couple of decades physical therapy has changed immensely.  If we want to continue to be the ones to shape our field, we have to talk to our legislators about what is important to us as a profession.  Realistically, I can work hard to be the best clinician that I am able to be and legislation can be passed dictating how I practice. If that happens we are suddenly not able to practice the way that is best for our patients.  If we do not tell our legislators about how certain laws affect our patients, we lose our voice in how we are able to treat them. I wanted to go to FAF so that I could shape the ways in which I am able to practice.

What was your favorite part of FAF?

While I enjoyed speaking with my representatives and having my voice heard, my favorite part of FAF was meeting other motivated therapists from around the country and hearing about the work that they are doing to forward our profession.


What was the biggest lesson you learned from attending FAF?

The biggest lesson that I learned was that what happens in on The Hill has a meaningful impact on our patients. I watched a video addressed to a congressman made by a patient about how the Medicare Therapy Cap had affected her ability to seek care. It was very powerful to hear her story and to be able to share it with her representative so that hopefully that law can be changed for her and all ofour patients affected by the cap.


Do you plan to attend again in the future?

Definitely!


Chris Scott, SPT (UT Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas, TX)


Why did you want to attend FAF?

I looked to attend the Federal Advocacy Forum in DC because of my passion and pursuit of knowledge in regards to this profession. I stand firm in my belief that advocacy for any line of work is what allows the profession to grow, evolve and adapt to the ever so dynamic society we live in today. This first trip to DC for me served as a stepping-stone to put my foot in the door into entering the federal advocacy picture. Serving as a federal spokesperson, one can look to be a part of the change, and that’s what I look to do.


What was your favorite part of FAF?

My favorite part about the Forum was definitely witnessing and connecting with the hundreds of students and professionals that shared a common variable which was advocating for their profession, and more importantly their patients. The Forum would be nothing without the people who attended.


What was the biggest lesson you learned from attending FAF?

The biggest lesson I learned from attending FAF was the amount of work it takes to attempt to make changes in this line of work. I was relatively unaware of the logistics of advocacy as well as the process it takes to make changes at a federal level. This Forum did an incredible job in my opinion of explaining the importance of advocacy and the way in which you may be able to put it in place from everywhere from your university or clinic all the way to the national level.

Do you plan to attend again in the future?

I definitely plan to attend the Forum in the future, as it was a great experience. The connections I made with students and professionals that shared the same passion about the profession made it so worth it. Coming together, learning about the issues we looked to advocate for and then taking it to the Hill first hand was very enjoyable and easy to see the immediate impact.

Jennifer Webb, SPT (Texas Women’s University – Dallas, TX)

Why did you want to attend FAF?

I attended PT Capitol Hill Day in 2015 (thanks to TSPTA!) and was immediately hooked on professional advocacy! I couldn’t wait to return in 2016 and reconnect with fellow inspiring advocates I had met last year, and meet so many more this year. There isn’t anything more important I could invest my time and energy into for my future career than to ensure protection and progression for PT professional and patient rights.


What was your favorite part of FAF?

Attending the Federal Advocacy Forum, I was blown away by the passion and dedication of everyone leaving their lives and responsibilities for three days to meet with the legislators who make things actually happen on the Hill. Witnessing hundreds of physical therapy professionals, leadership, and students walking the halls of our national offices and having important conversations about real physical therapy issues was empowering and inspiring. It made me realize the great strides those before me have accomplished in order to transform the PT profession into how we know it today, and how excited I am to continue this progress for all of us in the future.


What was the biggest lesson you learned from attending FAF?

Ultimately, my involvement in federal advocacy has really shown me how valuable it is to be involved in caring for and shaping the future of a profession I so passionately care about. When I see how simple it is to be a part of a process making huge, influential changes impacting our practice, I get a sense of having my finger on the “pulse” of PT. It is exciting and so very meaningful as a student, and I know it will only become more meaningful as I continue as a professional.

Do you plan to attend again in the future?

I can’t wait to return in 2017! It will be extra exciting as it will be a state legislative year in February on top of the federal advocacy forum in April! This forum is something I intend to make a professional commitment to throughout my career for as long as I am able to attend. I look forward to following up on my legislative contacts I have formed with my representatives, senators, and their legal counsels. Advocacy is a marathon and I am definitely in this race! Thank you again for this opportunity!

Christina Cocking (UIW, San Antonio), Bethany Uhl (TWU Dallas) and Jennifer Webb (TWU Dallas)


Texas Advocates on the steps of the Capital Building


APTA Student Assembly and all of the student advocates at the FAF 2016!


Blaise Bourgeois, SPT (University of St. Augustine – Austin, TX)


Why did you want to attend FAF?

One of the things I mentioned in all of my applications when applying for PT school was my interest in staying active in advocating for my profession. I appreciate the hard work that goes in to pushing legislation and defending our interests and I understand the importance of strength in numbers. Attending the FAF was a goal of mine and I am lucky to have attended the Forum in just my first year of PT school.


What was your favorite part of FAF?

There was so much going on at the forum that it is hard to delineate a favorite part. From registration until my last meeting on Capital Hill, we were kept extremely busy with guest speakers, presentations, break out educational sessions, and socials. It did feel good, however, to walk out that last Capital Hill meeting with a feeling of such accomplishment. There was so much build up to our Hill meetings, and to finally execute them after all the preparation and anticipation was very satisfying.


What was the biggest lesson you learned from attending FAF?

I have never been one to think that effort in any case goes unnoticed, but after attending the FAF I have truly learned just how big of an impact I could have by advocating our issues. It was pleasantly surprising to witness how attentive and concerned our representatives and their staff were to our issues. It was equally surprising to see how little they knew of the Bills we were advocating for, but their legitimate questions and concerns showed that they were listening. I look forward to following how our representatives support us with their votes in the near future.


Do you plan to attend again in the future?

I have fully committed myself to attending the Federal Advocacy Forum on a yearly basis, I have also challenged myself and the other students who attended the forum to bring 2 more students with them next year. I can not begin to explain how enlightening and life changing attending the FAF has been for me. More than just advocating, it was a great opportunity to meet such influential people in our profession and absorb the advice they would give to us students. For anyone who is remotely interested in attending a future advocacy forum, I can promise you it will be an experience that you will never forget.