Physical Therapy Conference in Las Vegas, NV

In February, physical therapists and physical therapy students gathered in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada for the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association. All three days were jam-packed with innovative presentations and motivating meetings. A few highlights come to mind.

The opening session focused on the continuum of care for individuals with life long disabilities, a task-force established by the APTA in 2005. The session was sponsored by all sections of the APTA and included case presentations by pediatric, orthopedic, and cardiopulmonary physical therapists; the most valuable part of the session was a testimony shared by a self-advocate, Janice Brunstrom, a pediatric neurologist with cerebral palsy. The session brought physical therapists of all specialties together and effectively communicated each sections contributions and responsibility in treating muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular injuries for patients with life long disabilities.

I attended the pediatric section business meeting where I learned details regarding the first annual section on pediatrics’ conference January 10-13, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The event will take place the week of the Disney Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k with the theme “Goofy for Fitness.” Since fitness is one of my passions, I was so excited to hear this idea! The section is encouraging attendees to participate in the various running and walking events during the weekend. It sounds like a great event to promote physical therapists as both fitness enthusiasts and professionals trained in promoting fitness.

Another highlight of the conference was meeting trainees from multiple LEND programs. I was able to attend an interesting presentation and view an innovative poster created by Jenny Kronberg-Haire, LEND graduate and physical therapist at University of Nebraska Monroe-Meyer Center. I was also able to reunite with Erin Enright, Ohio State University LEND graduate, current LEND trainee and pediatric physical therapy resident at Oregon Health Sciences University.

Erin and Liz with Jenny and her creative poster

A few trainees found time in their busy conference schedules to share lunch and conversation. Jenny, Nikki Lokenvitz, physical therapy student and LEND trainee from University of Iowa and Lindsay Alfano, pediatric physical therapy resident and LEND trainee at The Ohio State University shared experiences, compared LEND program features, and discussed the conference sessions. It was wonderful to meet other trainees and learn about the diverse projects that are made possible through the support of LEND programs and creativity of their trainees.

Liz, Nikki, Lindsay and Jenny after lunch

I am eager to meet more trainees at the Policy Seminar this April 27th through 29th in Washington, DC. If you are interested in participating in this unique, contact your training director for more information or visit the AUCD's page: http://www.aucd.org/template/event.cfm?event_id=1468&id=379&parent=379#reserve