American Physical Therapy Association

American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional organization that represents over 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in the United States. The organization is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, and its members work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices. The American Physical Therapy Association is a member of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, which is an international organization that promotes the profession of physical therapy worldwide, and has partnerships with other organizations such as the American Medical Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, and National Athletic Trainers' Association. The organization also collaborates with other healthcare organizations, including the American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

● History

The American Physical Therapy Association was founded in 1921 by Mary McMillan, a physical therapist who is considered one of the pioneers of the profession. At the time, physical therapy was a relatively new field, and McMillan and other early physical therapists were influenced by the work of Florence Nightingale, Ida P. Rolf, and other healthcare professionals. The organization has grown significantly since its founding, and today it is one of the largest and most influential physical therapy organizations in the world, with members who work in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers, sports medicine clinics, and home health agencies. The organization has also been involved in various initiatives, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy People 2020 initiative, and has partnerships with other organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The American Physical Therapy Association has also worked with other healthcare organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and American Cancer Society.

● Mission_and_Vision

The mission of the American Physical Therapy Association is to promote the profession of physical therapy and to improve the health and well-being of society, as stated by Katherine Sullivan, a past president of the organization. The organization's vision is to be the leader in the profession of physical therapy, and to be recognized as the authority on physical therapy practice, education, and research, as outlined in the organization's strategic plan, which is influenced by the work of Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, and World Health Organization. The organization is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations, as highlighted by Surgeon General of the United States, Vivek Murthy, and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The American Physical Therapy Association also collaborates with other organizations, including the American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Pediatrics, American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Gerontology, and American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Neurology, to promote the profession of physical therapy and to improve the health and well-being of society.

● Membership_and_Certification

The American Physical Therapy Association has over 100,000 members, including physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students, who are represented by leaders such as Sharon L. Dunn, Katherine Sullivan, and Paul Rockar. Members of the organization must meet certain educational and licensure requirements, and must adhere to a code of ethics and standards of practice, as outlined by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The organization offers various certifications, including the Orthopaedic Certified Specialist and the Neurologic Certified Specialist, which are recognized by organizations such as the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The American Physical Therapy Association also provides continuing education opportunities, including conferences, workshops, and online courses, which are accredited by organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the American Council on Education.

● Specializations_and_Sections

The American Physical Therapy Association has several specializations and sections, including the Section on Pediatrics, Section on Gerontology, and Section on Neurology, which are led by experts such as Katherine Sullivan, Paul Rockar, and Sharon L. Dunn. These specializations and sections provide opportunities for members to network, share knowledge, and advance the profession of physical therapy, and are recognized by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Geriatrics Society, and American Academy of Neurology. The organization also has a Section on Research, which promotes research in physical therapy and provides opportunities for members to present their research at conferences, such as the Combined Sections Meeting and the Annual Conference & Expo, which are attended by leaders such as National Institutes of Health Director, Francis Collins, and World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

● Advocacy_and_Policy

The American Physical Therapy Association is actively involved in advocacy and policy efforts, and works to promote the interests of physical therapists and their patients, as stated by Sharon L. Dunn, the organization's president. The organization has a strong presence in Washington, D.C., and works closely with lawmakers, regulators, and other healthcare organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, and American Nurses Association, to advance the profession of physical therapy. The organization also provides resources and support to members who are interested in advocacy and policy, including the PT-PAC, which is a political action committee that supports candidates who are friendly to the profession of physical therapy, and is recognized by organizations such as the Federal Election Commission and the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants.

● Education_and_Research

The American Physical Therapy Association is committed to promoting education and research in physical therapy, and provides various resources and opportunities for members to advance their knowledge and skills, as outlined by Katherine Sullivan, a past president of the organization. The organization offers a range of educational programs, including conferences, workshops, and online courses, which are accredited by organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the American Council on Education. The organization also provides funding for research in physical therapy, and recognizes excellence in research through awards such as the Mary McMillan Lecture, which is presented by leaders such as National Institutes of Health Director, Francis Collins, and World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The American Physical Therapy Association also collaborates with other organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to promote education and research in physical therapy. Category:Physical therapy