APTA Virginia - formerly VPTA

01/22/2026

Ready to share your expertise? ⏩ We're looking for passionate, knowledgeable speakers 🗣 to lead educational sessions at Fall Summit 2026. If you have a topic that’s evidence-based, ethically grounded, and engaging, we want to hear from you! 🫵

Current areas of interest include:
👶Specific Populations: Orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics
🔥Hot Topics: evidence updates, neuroscience, cutting-edge practices
🫀Cardiovascular Dosing: Updates on exercise testing
🥵High-Intensity Training
🤕Pain Science & its implications
💧Pelvic Floor
👣Movement Systems
⌛Lifespan Management
📈Research to Practice: Case-based
🦴Osteoporosis
👥Population Health
😰Autonomic Nervous System Regulation
🧠Functional Neurologic Disorders
💚Mental Health
🎒Student and new grad topics
🤖AI to enhance aspects of care

Educational Session Requirements (1.5 hours):
• Title (≤15 words)
• 250-word session description
• 3–4 learning objectives
• Minimum of 5 primary-source references (≤10 years old, evidence-based)
• Timed outline aligned with objectives
• Speaker credentials, bio, experience, and keywords
• Teaching/learning assessment methods
• Recommended content level
• Conflict of interest disclosure

Priority given to APTA Virginia members, Virginia-based presenters, applicants who waive honorariums, and sessions that are interactive and research-supported. Note: proposals must NOT include promotional content.
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBPpt5LgXV8gE_0gn-Pxwf5DQhjUTAg9gyYPFk_0FMeC_t2A/viewform
If selected, speakers will receive one complimentary registration and will be required to meet all submission deadlines and provide materials.

01/21/2026

New data provides therapists with industry-leading insights to inform decisions, planning, and priorities.

By understanding demographic, workforce, and income trends, as well as challenges faced across settings, APTA can provides actionable insights.

APTA's 2025 Physical Therapy Profile Survey gathered insight to explore factors related to workforce dynamics. The findings are detailed in two reports (see links below). Together, the reports offer a current snapshot of the physical therapy workforce and highlight trends in income, diversity, and student enrollment.

A Physical Therapy Profile: Demographics of the Profession, 2025: https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/news-publications/reports/2025/demographics-profession
A Physical Therapy Profile: Incomes for the Profession, 2025: https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/news-publications/reports/2025/incomes-profession

01/21/2026

Are you attending Lobby Day today in Richmond? If so, tag us and use in all your posts!

Thank you for your time and effort in supporting physical therapy in Virginia!

01/20/2026

We’re inviting you to participate in an anonymous online research survey. The goal of this research study is to investigate PT, PTA, and student perceptions of sexual boundaries in your work or clinical environment and/or student professional environment.

The survey is anonymous, and it will take ~15 minutes to complete. All responses in sections A-D are click and point responses or a 5-pt Likert scale response. Be aware that the sexual boundary content may be sensitive and triggering to some participants. Thank you for your willingness to assist in this research.

Scan the QR code or use this link to access the survey: https://odu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4UzJMwNe6aF22YS?Q_CHL=qr

01/18/2026

This leadership award is in memory of Scott Sullivan, who served the APTA Virginia in leadership positions during the 1990's and was an associate professor at the Medical College of Virginia, a devoted family man, and active in his community until the time of his sudden death in December 1998 just weeks before he was to assume the position of Director of Practice at the APTA. This award was first granted posthumously to Scott Sullivan in April 1999.

The purpose of the Leadership Award is to recognize those members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their service to APTA Virginia.

01/17/2026

Looking for a self-employed Physical Therapist to join The Healing Arts Center (https://www.lphealing.com/the-healing-arts-center.)

Office space is now available for rent in Burke, VA at the The Healing Arts Center, which is a collective of 5 individual rooms in one office suite. The office is on the first floor with no stairs and is handicap accessible. There is plenty of parking and is situated in a quiet group of office buildings surrounded by trees. The Center has a small waiting area and a bathroom. Currently there is an Acupuncturist, a Lymphatic Massage Therapist, and an Esthetician-Micro Needling. All of the practitioners operate independently, while collectively maintaining a calm, professional, and respectful healing environment.
We value collaboration, quiet professionalism, and mutual respect, and we make an effort to refer clients in-house when appropriate. We are looking for practitioners who appreciate a peaceful space to serve their clients.

Room #3 is 315 sq ft and the rent is $720/month (open to being shared by two practitioners).
If you are interested, please contact Laura at lphealing@gmail.com or 703-822-4777.

01/17/2026

From President Hawkins, "Our APTA Virginia Strategic Plan for 2025–2028 will be in full motion as we enter the new year. This past year has been foundational; we’ve clarified the ways APTA Virginia is uniquely positioned to advance our profession. I encourage you to explore the plan overview and consider how you might contribute to its success.

One of our major priorities is ENGAGEMENT, and we’ve spent time defining how we will meaningfully measure it... Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum of membership and engagement, you are valuable and meaningful to us as our member. A member is a member, all members have value, and each member has a place in our APTA Virginia community... I’m deeply grateful to serve alongside you, and I look forward to all that 2026 holds for us as a chapter and a community.
Strategic Plan:https://vpta.org/files/APTA%20VA%20-%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf

01/16/2026

PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT CONTEST (PEC)

👤Who? PT and PTA programs.
📊What? A friendly contest to measure engagement with APTA Virginia.
🏆Why? Rewards! The program with the highest level of engagement earns the title "Most Engaged Program" as well as cash 💵and the coveted 'Golden Gait Belt'.
📈📸How? Programs must have a Faculty Member as a contact. Programs will be assigned tasks to complete that must be documented and submitted to earn points. (e.g., attend Lobby Day with 1 faculty member and at least 5 students and submit a picture (we encourage more faculty and students to attend, but programs aren't awarded any more points if they send more than the minimum required)).

👍Ready to enroll? Start here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ht6oA-juFyb7XqCmEGomfYjouSMmdZmOckwiDP-02go/viewform?pli=1&pli=1&edit_requested=true

01/15/2026

Consider joining us and your fellow advocates for Lobby Day at the General Assembly building (201 N 9th St) in Richmond. 📍
🏛 Arrival: enter through the Broad Street entrance. Gather in the House Subcommittee Room on the 9th floor by 8AM. If you arrive before 8, wait in the cafeteria until meeting begins.

Agenda:
🕗8–9AM: We are hosting legislators in the Subcommittee Room 8
🕘9AM onwards: Groups will break out to meet with legislators (students will be paired with a PT or PTA from their home district). If you’ve already scheduled appointments, send your meeting times to Geoff Gunther (ggunther@richmondpt.com) so we can coordinate schedules. "Who's My Legislator" link: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
🕚We anticipate finishing all meetings by 11AM at the latest.

🚗Parking info: https://vga.virginia.gov/visit/getting-here-getting-in/parking-capitol/

Registration isn't required, but does help with keeping those interested up to date on logistics: https://www.pathlms.com/apta-virginia/courses/113613/in_person_events/23218

01/14/2026

This award is named for Dr. Echternach who possessed insight, wisdom, and vision. It acknowledges his role as an educator, mentor, and role model for countless students. As a leader, Dr. Echternach contributed immensely in the area research, presenting findings locally and nationally. The APTA recognized him nationally through the receipt of awards, including the Catherine Worthingham Fellows membership, and the Golden Pen Award for research and literary contributions. It was therefore deemed fitting and appropriate that our VPTA Research Award be named in recognition of Dr.Echternach.

The purpose of this award is to promote and/or encourage research in physical therapy. The types of research to be fostered include, but are not limited to, academic or clinical research.

01/14/2026

Students! 📣
The Virginia Student SIG seeks motivated DPT/PTA students for the 2026-2027 Executive Committee. Leadership roles build resumes, networks, and skills while shaping student advocacy in Virginia PT.

Available Positions and Key Responsibilities:
👑Chair: Prepares agendas, reports to Chapter Board, attends meetings, writes articles for The Virginian, serves as spokesperson.
🏛👤Vice-Chair: Assists Chair, assumes duties in absence, supports activities.
📝Secretary: Records minutes, notifies members of meetings, co-writes articles.
💵Treasurer: Manages funds, develops budget.
📍Director: Coordinates student/faculty liaison programs.
🤝PTA Representative: Liaises with PTA programs, relays student concerns.
Nominating Committee Chair-Elect: Builds nominee pool, identifies slate, conducts elections (2-year term).
🗳Nominating Committee Chair: Promotes nominees, conducts elections.
🫶Nominating Committee Member: Supports committee activities and SSIG projects.

Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPjBLSo_OceFpmlUqtL_7O40HEOp5FPbdYi2VzwYihlgKqcQ/viewform
Descriptions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15AejtX2-aChrAng5B0YMqprHAzg5dWzGFTa3UNS9uiI/edit?tab=t.0
FAQs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cgqQ4ZlwH8jcEbcdXBVOruiUpKuTel5P/edit

01/14/2026

Welcome, and thank you for serving APTA Virginia: Northern Region. If you'll be at Lobby Day next week, be sure to say hello to Justin!

We’re excited to kick off 2026 by introducing members of our new leadership team. Please join us in welcoming our newest Director of the Northern Region, Justin Doerner!

As Justin prepares to step into his new leadership role, we asked him a few questions. Check out his answers below:

🔵 Why did you choose to get involved with APTA Virginia?
“I got involved with APTA Virginia because I genuinely love what physical therapists do. We get to work closely with people by listening to their stories, sharing in decision-making, setting meaningful goals, and building plans of care that help them return to the activities that matter most to them. Whether someone is navigating pain or other physical limitations, PTs have a unique opportunity to partner with patients in a way that is personal, collaborative, and impactful. I wanted to be part of APTA so I could help create change on a larger scale than just my own organization or the patients I see day to day. I love this profession, and I want to help it continue to grow so more people see how valuable PTs are within the healthcare system.”

🔵 Share a few fun facts to help others get to know you:
• I love hiking, snowboarding, and running for exercise.
• I moved from Colorado to Virginia and have become a big UVA sports fan. I enjoy attending UVA sporting events with my family.

Meet Justin in person—and connect with many other members of the Northern Region—by attending APTA Virginia Lobby Day on Wednesday, January 21, 2026!