The following were elected during the Spring Business Meeting On April 18, 2009 and will take office on July 1, 2009

VICE PRESIDENT
(2011)

Staci Cost, PT, MHSc, OCS, MTC
Center Manager
Select Physical Therapy
Lakewood

1)  Why do you feel qualified to serve in the this position?

I am familiar with the job description of the vice president from having served on the board previously in the job is secretary.

2)  Why do you want to serve in this position?

The position of Vice President appeals to me and I am ready for the challenge.

3)  List committees / projects that take up your time.

I am currently part of the continued competency task force and run a journal club through my work.  I am also a national instructor for Pilates course and an evidence based therapeutic exercise course.

4)  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter? Are there any improvements you would like to make?

Strengths of the Colorado chapter are the willingness and openness to bring in new members. Every meeting improvements are made keeping the state on track and ahead of the game for a lot of the issues facing physical therapists today.

SECRETARY
(2011)

Stacey Lane, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Craig Hospital
Englewood

1)  Why do you feel qualified to serve in this position?

My involvement in the American Physical Therapy Association is the reason I feel qualified to serve as Secretary for the Colorado Chapter.  I was fortunate enough to experience first hand what this organization means to our profession while interning at the APTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA. While there, I had the opportunity to advocate for physical therapists and patients at the federal level. I quickly learned the importance of state chapters/components and their contribution to the association’s overall efforts. I have also been involved as a student SIG member, student assembly presidential candidate, PTeam member, contributor to the PT-PAC, and 4-year member of the APTA/Neurology section.

2)  Why do you want to serve in this position?

The opportunity to serve as Secretary for the APTA Colorado Chapter would enable me to take a more active role in the advancement of our profession. This position would allow me to utilize my passion for physical therapy in assisting the APTA reach its Vision 2020. Striving towards this attainable goal begins with a strong professional organization and its members. Advocating for Colorado physical therapists and patients is essential, and I know I would do my part in serving this position. I am enthusiastic about promoting the importance of APTA involvement, at both state and national levels. I would also like to serve as Secretary to be present at all meetings and learn more about the challenges and opportunities we face as physical therapists in Colorado.

3)  List committees / projects that take up your time.

Affiliate Faculty member of Regis University Doctor of Physical Therapy School I have been practicing for a year and a half, getting myself grounded at Craig Hospital. I now feel ready to take on more responsibility and become more involved.

4)  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter? Are there any improvements you would like to make?

The biggest strength of the Colorado Chapter is its dedicated leaders that serve our profession. As I mentioned above, having this foundation is extremely important and the time and effort put in by its members is appreciated. Another strength that I have noticed is the valuable courses that are provided at Chapter Meetings/Symposiums. The Spring and Fall Symposiums take place at appropriate times of the year and at convenient locations.

I would say that increasing awareness is an area the chapter could improve upon. When I was a student, I wish I had a better grasp of the issues that were being addressed at the state level. As an affiliate faculty member and a mentor to students now, I feel I could educate students on these issues and encourage participation in APTA activities. Hopefully, this will act as a catalyst for participation and continued membership post graduation. From the clinician perspective, I believe that the chapter needs to discover more ways to sustain APTA membership, such as discounted dues and/or incentives for new or even long-time members.

DIRECTOR AT LARGE
(2011)

Bridget A. Meaney, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Healing Hands Physical Therapy
Arvada

1)  Why do you feel qualified to serve in this position?

I feel I would be appropriate to serve as the Director at Large because I have a very strong desire to see physical therapy in Colorado continue to progress and become more successful. I am qualified to serve as Director at Large based on my prior experience and leadership skills: I held an elected position as Director on the National Student Assembly, was on the CO-SSIG as Government Affairs Representative, was recipient of the Elaine Perry Leadership Award for service work in the Dominican Republic, and received the 2007 Regis DPT Outstanding Research Project Team award. In addition, prior to becoming a physical therapist, I was Senior Editor for multiple projects, including books, standards manuals, journals and magazines.

2)  Why do you want to serve in this position?

To answer that question, I have to look back at why I chose Physical Therapy. I chose to become a physical therapist because I wanted to a) make an impact for individuals and the professional b) fulfill my goal to have a rewarding and life-fulfilling career of helping others, and c) do something that I loved. Physical therapy is a profession that allows you to autonomously practice and provide care to others. Best of all, what I do as a physical therapist can make a direct difference in a person's life. Making a change for the individual was originally why I chose to get into the profession -- and now making a change for the profession is the reason I would like to for serve the association. I would be honored to serve as Director at Large because I feel it is a position that allows me to play an active role in the goings-on of the Colorado APTA, to define areas of improvement and challenging areas that need to be appropriately addressed at the state and national level.

3)  List committees / projects that take up your time.

Currently I am not working on any committees related to physical therapy. This allows me the opportunity to serve more effectively and is a key reason why I would like to become involved in the Colorado chapter of the APTA, and make efforts to further develop our physical therapy practice in Colorado.

4)  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter? Are there any improvements you would like to make?

We are fortunate to be in the state of Colorado, which is a Direct Access state. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the APTA, both local and national, physical therapists are able to perform manipulations and other manual therapy skills, unlike individuals in the state of Washington and Arkansas. It is vital, as the Colorado chapter of the APTA, that we are able to fully offer and utilize our comprehensive skills and knowledge during treatment. Being a physical therapist in the state of Colorado offers several areas of strengths: We have biannual spring and fall state conferences each year. We also have a Grand Rounds component offered on a monthly basis. But there is much room for growth and opportunity. One area I would like to see advance is increased active participation in the APTA from all physical therapists in the state. I'd also like to see continued advances made in the field of marketing and resources, member recruitment and retention, arenas for networking and giving back to the community, and more local opportunities for continuing education and conferences.
 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
(2012)

Linda Hannen, PT, MHS
Instructor
University of Colorado Denver Physical Therapy Program
Aurora

1).  Why do you feel qualified to serve in this position?

I have enjoyed serving on the Nominating Committee for the past two years and have learned many things about the Colorado APTA Chapter offices. I enjoy talking with potential candidates as we strive to recruit a well-rounded slate of officers.

2).  Why do you want to serve in this position?

I feel that it is important to our profession to have a Colorado Chapter with strong leadership. It is exciting to know that our Colorado Chapter leaders are well known nationally as well as locally. Any part that I can play in recruiting this talent is gratifying to me.

3).  List committees / projects that take up your time.

Besides the Nominating Committee, I am on the Program Development Committee for our Colorado Chapter. I am a member of the Clinical Educator’s Forum and I serve as faculty advisor to the UCD Physical Therapy Alumni Association.

4).  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter? Are there any improvements you would like to make?

I feel the most impressive strength of the Colorado Chapter is the dedication and responsiveness of the Board of Directors to the membership. These officers put in many hours of work and are very serious about their commitment to the chapter members and the organization as a whole. Through the various committees, much work is accomplished. I think the main weakness is the ever-present struggle with membership. We all need to talk to our colleagues about the benefits of membership which is national, state and local. The improvement I would like to see is more financial support for student involvement in the Association. They are our future.
 

DELEGATES
AT LARGE
TO THE 
2010 APTA HOUSE OF DELEGATES

 

Elected:
Alice M. Davis, PT, DPT
Instructor, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education
Regis University, Denver

1)  Why do you feel qualified to serve in this position?

Being an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1994, I have had the opportunity to serve both on a State and National level. For the Colorado Chapter of the APTA, I served as Professional Development Committee Chair from 2001-2006. On a National level, I currently work on the Annual Conference Planning Committee.  Guided by the APTA Vision 2020, these hard working committees procure current evidenced based continuing education programming for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Students.  I feel serving in this capacity reveals my dedication to our profession and has provided a solid preparation for the position of Delegate at Large.

2)  Why do you want to serve in this position?

The active role I have taken thus far in the American Physical Therapy Association has deepened my appreciation and desire to advance professionalism, core values and the standards of practice for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and students. Serving as Delegate at Large is the next step into having an active role in driving positive change in PT practice.

3)  List committees / projects that take up your time.

In July, 2009 I transition off of the Annual Conference Planning Committee which will afford me the opportunity to take on this role as Delegate at Large for the Colorado Chapter. 

4)  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter? Are there any improvements you would like to make?

The Colorado Chapter serves its members well from providing countless hours on Capital hill to promote legislation that protects and advances Physical Therapy Practice to providing on-going current evidenced based continuing education to improve professional development.  Additionally, the Chapter promotes the profession by connecting Clinicians to the community through service events like 9 Health Fair throughout the State.  One weakness of the Colorado Chapter is getting members actively involved in Chapter activities.  I believe  improved public relations focusing on a more personal level is one way getting members more involved.

Appointed to fill vacancy:
Mary Jane Rapport, PT, PhD
Professor and Assistant Director Physical Therapy Program
University of Colorado, Denver

1)  Why do you feel qualified to serve in this position?

I am currently serving as the Delegate-at-Large and will represent the Colorado Chapter as part of the state delegation to the APTA House of Delegates in June 2009.  This will be my second opportunity to be a delegate and part of the House.  I have become more familiar with the process of the House and the responsibilities of the delegate position, and I have a clearer vision for how the delegation can impact the direction of the APTA.  This understanding of the House and the role of a delegate come from active participation and are instrumental in one’s ability to serve the chapter well as a member of the Colorado delegation. My involvement with several national committees and advisory panels, and through holding Section leadership positions, I have developed a broad perspective of the issues and concerns facing today’s physical therapists and many of the current issues facing the APTA and the members in our Colorado. 

2)  Why do you want to serve in this position?

I would like to have the opportunity to continue to represent the members of the Colorado Chapter and assist the delegation in making decisions that move our profession forward.   I believe the Delegate position will allow me the opportunity to use my knowledge of physical therapy in a direction that benefits all members throughout the state while supporting the state’s priorities within the governance structure of our national professional organization. 

3)  List committees / projects that take up your time.

APTA (National):
            Advisory Panel on Practice
            PTCAS (Common Application) Advisory Group
            Advocacy Advisory Panel

Section on Pediatrics:
            Region II Director
            Practice Committee, member                       

Colorado Chapter:
            Delegate-at-Large (to 2009 House of Delegates)        
            Governmental Affairs Contact to Rep. Diana DeGette

4)  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter? Are there any improvements you would like to make?

There are many strengths of the Colorado Chapter including a growing membership, an expansion of educational programs, a strong PAC presence, an interested Governmental Affairs Committee, and representation of members from across the state.  Despite being a smaller state chapter (number of members), the delegation is respected and viewed as knowledgeable and forward thinking.  I would like to continue to involve students and help them develop their leadership through active participation at the state level.  I would also like to see the chapter continue to reach out to members from multiple practice areas and settings so that programs, services, and resources are directed to a broad membership of physical therapists. 
 

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APTA/Colorado Chapter
7400 East Arapahoe Road, Suite 211 Centennial, Colorado 80112 U.S.A.
Phone 303-694-4728   Fax 303-694-4869   Email apta@assnoffice.com

Copyright 2009, APTA/Colorado Chapter. All rights reserved.