The 2018 TPTA Conference + Changeover

As my final post, I first just wanted to say on behalf of the 2017-18 TSPTA Executive Board, THANK YOU so much for allowing us to represent you this year. It’s been an absolute blast getting to meet DPT and PTA students across Texas and showcasing all the great work y’all have been doing to help advance our profession. Below you’ll find some highlights from this year’s TPTA conference held last month (October 24-27^th, 2018).

TPTA Cares – Habitat for Humanity

Each year, the TPTA collaborates with a non-profit in the city where the conference is held to help engage students and clinicians in the community. This year’s TPTA Cares project was with Habitat for Humanity – San Antonio, an organization that aims to promote access to affordable and sustainable housing. We just wanted to give a shout out to students from the UTEP DPT Program, the St. Philip’s College PTA Program, and the Concorde Career College PTA Program for their willingness to get their hands dirty with onsite projects to work towards the organization’s mission. We look forward to collaborations with other local non-profits in future conferences!

TPTA Student Assembly

After several months of planning, the Texas Student Assembly meeting was a HUGE success, with hundreds of students in attendance representing the majority of PT/PTA programs across our great state. Every year, the TSPTA Executive Board specifically covers topics pertinent to the interests of students, from discovering the value of APTA membership to advice about getting a job after graduation. We had an amazing panel this year, and I just wanted to personally thank Jackie Underwood, Marcos Lopez, Craig Tounget, and Erica Parazo for sharing their passion, enthusiasm, and wisdom with us and inspiring the next generation of clinicians to challenge the status quo.

TPTA Student Bowl

Another event specifically designed for students each year at the TPTA Conference is the TPTA Student Bowl. This event gives students a chance to test their knowledge and compete against other programs for the coveted championship titles. PT and PTA student compete separately, and each year two programs bring home first place after several lightning rounds of questions. Congratulations to 2018 DPT student bowl winners from the UTEP DPT Program and the PTA student bowl winners from the Victoria College PTA Program!

Once again, I want to thank you for giving me the chance to serve this year. It's been such an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to all the great things your new TSPTA Executive Board has in store this coming year. All the best and happy holidays,

Daniel Millar, SPT

UTEP DPT Class of 2018

2017-18 APTA Texas Core Ambassador

And with that, it’s my pleasure to introduce your new APTA Texas Core Ambassador, Julie Chrisman!!!

My name is Julie Chrisman or JC for short, and I am a second year DPT student at UT Southwestern. I am a Dallas native and graduated from The University of Texas in 2016 with a degree in Exercise Science. I have a passion for sports and if I’m not on the volleyball court, you can find me Saturday-Monday watching my longhorns and cowboys play. A fun fact about me, I have a long list of travel bucket list items and this year I get to cross off 2 world wonders from that list at Chichen Itza and the Great Pyramid of Giza!