APTA Michigan, A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Nominations are open for APTA MI awards! Nominate a clinician or student for their outstanding service, leadership, or research advances. Nominations are open for clinicians and students until August 1st!

Check out our full list of awards at https://aptami.org/page/MemberAwards

We want to hear from you! Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out our membership survey to let us know how we are doing. Thanks! https://aptami.org/surveys/default.asp?id=Membership

Western District Legislative Town Hall: Meet Your Legislators!

When: Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 · 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Where: 333 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 at Grand Valley State University · Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH) - Multipurpose Room 102/104

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/KN28ixPThU3WPDwbA

Parking will be free and on-site for this event at the shared GVSU/Spectrum Parking Ramp

Agenda: 4:30-5:00 PM Arrival / strolling small foods and Social Hour · 5:00-6:00 PM Opening remarks, panel board discussion, Q&A, closing remarks · 6:00 PM Event concludes

What should I wear? Business casual/clinic attire and name tag

10 years ago already! This was a great time for all patients of Michigan as well as providers. Thank you to Senator Kevin Hertel for his current efforts in improving access to Physical Therapy services in Michigan at this time. APTA MI would also like to acknowledge and thank State Representative Julie M. Rogers (practicing physical therapist) for her ongoing leadership in the State House of Representatives!!

Applications are open! The APTA-MI DEI Award offers $2500 to a 2nd year PT or PTA student in Michigan that has been involved in DEI initiatives. Applications are due August 1, more details are available on the website. https://aptami.org/page/Scholarships

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻.

Your APTA Michigan membership saves you $70 or more when you register for both days (depending on member type)

https://aptami.org/page/Fall_Conference_2024

APTA MI member Jake Jakubiak Kovacek (Senator Hertel's constituent) attended Senator Kevin Hertel's district event on 6/21/24. Senator Hertel is the sponsor for our physical therapy unrestricted direct access bill - SB 668! Thank you, Senator Hertel!

Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out our membership survey to let us know how we are doing! We appreciate your feedback.

On June 18, 2024, APTA MI member Chris Wilson attended Senator Kevin Hertel's campaign event in Lansing (Chris is one of Senator Hertel's constituents). These face to face connections matter! Chris was able to express exactly why physical therapy legislation is important.

In the latest Lines blog post, Dr. Haines discusses an innovative program to address healthcare disparities for patients living with Parkinson's Disease in rural Michigan.

https://aptami.org/blogpost/2108486/502010/The-Report-Card-Program-An-Innovative-Initiative-to-Address-Healthcare-Disparities-for-Patients-Living-with-Parkinson-s-Disease-in-Rural-Michigan

Do you have a special interest in clinical education, pain, oncology, students, or pediatrics? The Michigan Chapter of the APTA has special interest groups that may help you connect with other professionals, network, and keep up to date with the latest developments in a specific area of interest. Already a member and looking to join a group? https://aptami.org/members/group_select.asp?type=31489 Explore the available Michigan SIGs here.

We value your feedback as we use it to improve our processes. Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out our membership survey to let us know how we are doing! Thank you.

Interested in hearing the latest news about insurance payment/reimbursement and what's happening in Lansing and Washington? Join us TOMORROW (Tuesday) evening for a FREE Town Hall event for APTA MI Members. This event will be virtual via Zoom starting at 7:30pm. Register to get the zoom link: https://aptami.org/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=1864875. For Instagram followers, the registration link is in our bio.

We are gauging interest for starting a private practice special interest group (SIG) in Michigan. To indicate your interest, please fill out the google form. Note: this does NOT obligate you to join if this SIG is created. https://forms.gle/p4PuFHhTisxNYViW8

Thinking about a membership with the Michigan APTA? On top of the many other benefits of membership, most of the membership dues whether national, sectional, or chapter dues are tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Be sure to review the tax information when exploring membership options!

Hello from the APTA MI Communications Committee! We would love your feedback on our chapter communication (methods, frequency, etc) and any suggestions you have for improvement. Would you kindly take a few minutes to fill out our communications survey? https://aptami.org/surveys/?id=Communications

Are you a Michigan APTA member? One of the many benefits of membership includes opportunities to help advance your career. Whether is it taking advantage of CEU opportunities in the APTA learning center or searching for jobs through the APTA Career Center, the Michigan APTA has the resources for you.

see you tonight!

Attention PTs! Are you looking to take the next step in your professional career? Have you ever considered becoming a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist? Board certification is available in 10 specialty areas. APTA members SAVE on certification fees; apply today!

see you in a week at the APTA Michigan Eastern District pub night!

Just one week until our Pub Night Event next week. Hope to see you all there. There won't be any presentation, just informal talks and bonding over a drink. Can't wait!

Update on the use of “DPT” by Life Time, Inc:

As you know, APTA has been engaged on multiple fronts in response to actions by Life Time, Inc. that potentially violate title protection of the term “DPT.” Life Time, Inc. is a national fitness and wellness company with providers in over 160 locations throughout the United States. Life Time has a series of programs that they brand, including what they call “Dynamic Personal Training.” While there are other local and regional personal training businesses that use “dynamic” in their name, Life Time markets its program using the initials “DPT.” The company is attempting to obtain a federal trademark registration for the term “DPT-Dynamic Personal Training” and accompanying design.

APTA has raised objections to this attempt to trademark, given that DPT is a recognized title and credential used by licensed physical therapists; the initials “DPT” (for Doctor of Physical Therapy) are explicitly protected for exclusive use by licensed physical therapists in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Licensure laws are designed to ensure consumer protection and to hold licensed professionals accountable if they misrepresent their services or practice outside their designated scope of practice. Only individuals who meet the requirements of licensure are permitted to use the term and title associated with this legal and regulatory standard.

How you can help: To assist in these efforts, APTA is requesting any photos, substantial inquiries/complaints, or other documentation highlighting the use of DPT by Life Time that you or your colleagues may have received from other therapists, patients, or the general public. Please include any relevant dates, written consent of the initial submitter to share their documentation with APTA, and their contact information.

We are asking for these materials to be sent to APTA MI at [email protected] by Monday, May 13, 2024. We will then send all stories to APTA Legal. Thank you!

We are still over the moon excited about the recent happenings in Lansing! APTA MI would like to officially thank State Representative Julie M. Rogers, State Representative Dale Zorn, and State Representative John Fitzgerald for their steady leadership and sponsorship of the PT Compact bills which passed the House last week. These newly passed bills amend the Public Health Code to allow occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in one compact-member state to practice in other member states without the need for multiple licenses. This change is expected to dramatically improve access to both occupational and physical therapy services.

“Today, we celebrate a landmark victory for patient access and for thousands of Michigan residents, including military families, who rely on occupational and physical therapy services,” Rogers said. “As a practicing health care provider, I’m proud that Michigan is not only advancing access to health care, but is also ensuring that our licensed professionals can serve patients more effectively.”

"Physical therapy plays an important role in comprehensive care for Michiganders. It's important we promote access to this care, especially for rural and underserved areas who need access to preventative and rehabilitative care," said state Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming). "By joining the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, we can enhance the ability of physical therapists to serve across state lines, broadening the availability of essential health services and ensuring that people receive timely and effective care. By passing these bills, we are not just reforming licensure; we are reaffirming our commitment to the health and well-being of every Michigander."

From APTA MI President Brian Gilbert: "...We are beyond grateful to state Reps. Fitzgerald, Zorn and Rogers for their unwavering support and recognition that professional interstate compacts are a helpful, safe and thoughtful approach to tackling 21st century labor and consumer demands."

Are you an APTA Michigan member? We offer membership discounts to Medbridge subscriptions and APTA conferences, access to CEU locker for tracking CEUs, tools for advocacy and professional development, resources for practice and payment, and more! Many of us join to serve our profession and advocate for our patients.

Check out our Membership Matters talk on Youtube to learn more about getting involved with APTA Michigan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWvUwyL70ts

Did you know that the APTA Michigan has partnered with MedBridge to offer quality online continuing education at a special discount for APTA Michigan members?
Members can save $150! Member cost is $225 v. $375 for a one year subscription. This is an awesome deal! There are over 1,700 PT courses available on Medbridge.
Medbridge offers unlimited access to 1,000+ video-based continuing education courses. In addition, they offer preparatory programs for board certifications.
Learn more here https://aptami.org/medbridge-courses-apta-mi-member-discount/

BREAKING! House Passes Physical Therapy Compact Bills!

The bills allow Michigan to enter an interstate licensure compact for physical therapists, meaning that physical therapists who are already licensed in states that are part of the compact would not need to reapply for a Michigan license.

The bills foster a more connected, competent and accessible health care system, bill sponsor Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) said during a floor speech in support of the bill.

"Access to qualified physical therapy professionals is important, almost imperative, especially in underserved and rural areas where health care services can be sparse," Fitzgerald said. "Joining this compact is forward thinking that aligns Michigan with the future of health care."

Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Onsted), sponsor of HB 4504 , said the legislation would help increase access to physical therapy across the state, make finding care more seamless and ensure that patient care was paramount.

Brian Gilbert, president of the American Physical Therapy Association Michigan, praised the bills' passage in a statement.

"This will help to meet the current workforce needs, provide greater consumer access to specialty PT care and address licensure portability issues for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants," Gilbert said. "We are beyond grateful to (lawmakers) for their unwavering support and recognition that professional interstate compacts are a helpful, safe and thoughtful approach to tackling 21st century labor and consumer demands."

The House passed similar legislation applicable to occupational therapists earlier this week.

The MPT-PAC would like to congratulate our 2024 College Wars winners. The Golden Goniometer returned to Grand Valley State University for the second year in a row and Delta College maintained their impressive 5-year streak of taking home the Golden Gait Belt!