Hey everyone! My name is Megan Fitzsimmons and I am running for the position of Treasurer. I was born and raised on a farm in Pueblo, CO. I then attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and am currently in my second semester of the DPT program at Regis University in Denver, CO. My undergraduate degree is in Sport & Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology.
My interest in manual therapy began my last year at UNC when I was interning at an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Greeley, CO. One of the physical therapists had recently graduated from Regis University and was extremely passionate about manual therapy and utilizing these skills when treating patients. Being my first in depth encounter with manual therapy I realized I never knew how much we, as physical therapists, can do with our hands and produce amazing results!
Although I do not currently have a lot of personal hands on experience with orthopedic manual physical therapy, I have hours of observation under a manual physical therapist and look forward to future opportunities to expand my knowledge on the subject. I am thrilled to apply for a position with AAOMPT in which I would not only be able to do this, but also contribute to the exposure of numerous other individuals regarding the benefits of manual therapy in physical therapy practice. I am ecstatic about the opportunity to reach out to students as well as practicing physical therapists in hopes we will be able to make our profession even greater.
I would love to be a part of the executive committee for the organization. I have held numerous previous leadership positions in high school as president of my class and student body president. I also helped organize and begin a Pre-Physical Therapy club at the University of Northern Colorado. We provided information regarding the profession to incoming students and organized meetings for students with information on physical therapy graduate programs. The first year I acted as treasurer for the club, and the second year I was elected President. I love being involved in areas in which I am very passionate, therefore actively engaging in AAOMPT is something I plan to do for the rest of my life.
As treasurer I would be in charge of handling all of the incoming funds from fundraisers, etc. I love handling money and math, so this is a great way to put these skills into use! Also, I like to be very organized and so I would be efficient in managing funds and all records of transactions for the club; always keeping it up to date and available to anyone needing the information upon request. I have a lot of experience with purchase orders, etc. from running the student body as well as working with UNC’s financial aide office, all of which I believe would assist me in the position of Treasurer for AAOMPT. Thank you for your consideration!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Lauren Clemson - APTA Liaison Committee Chair
My name is Lauren Clemson, and I am running for APTA Liaison Committee Chair. I am from Murray, Kentucky. In 2008, I graduated from Murray State University with my Bachelor’s in Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy. Presently, I am a second year DPT student at Regis University.
I, like many other physical therapy students, found my passion after having major surgery followed by several long months of physical therapy my freshman year of college. I always knew that I wanted to help people; I just didn’t know how I wanted to do that. After being a patient, I saw first-hand the positive effects physical therapists can have on their patients’ lives. It helped me realize that this was my calling. During my undergrad, I was fortunate enough to spend a summer with a physical therapist who was working on her Fellowship in Manual Therapy through Regis. This really spurred my interest in manual therapy because I was able to see drastic reductions in pain and increases in function and within a couple of treatments! I chose to attend Regis because of it’s reputation in the manual therapy community and for the contribution that the professors at Regis have made to the ever expanding body of knowledge in the field. I knew attending Regis would start me on the right path to becoming the professional I hope to be some day.
Now that I am further in my education and have been on a clinical affiliation, I have seen the additional positive effects manual therapy can have on patients—pain control, neuromuscular resetting, and positive psychological effects. Because of my enthusiasm for orthopaedic manual therapy, my excellent communication skills, and my leadership experience, I feel that I embody all the qualities needed to become your APTA Liaison Committee Chair.
I am currently the Liaison Chair for Regis’ annual philanthropic event, was the President of the Pre-Physical Therapy club at Murray State, and was a member of Murray State’s soccer team. These experiences have well prepared me to work closely with the APTA and to work on promoting the AAOMPT-sSIG at the next CSM. I am ready to take on the task of being the APTA Liaison Committee Chair and to do what is necessary for this position. I am excited to work as part of a team for the betterment and growth our sSIG. Thank you very much for your consideration!
I, like many other physical therapy students, found my passion after having major surgery followed by several long months of physical therapy my freshman year of college. I always knew that I wanted to help people; I just didn’t know how I wanted to do that. After being a patient, I saw first-hand the positive effects physical therapists can have on their patients’ lives. It helped me realize that this was my calling. During my undergrad, I was fortunate enough to spend a summer with a physical therapist who was working on her Fellowship in Manual Therapy through Regis. This really spurred my interest in manual therapy because I was able to see drastic reductions in pain and increases in function and within a couple of treatments! I chose to attend Regis because of it’s reputation in the manual therapy community and for the contribution that the professors at Regis have made to the ever expanding body of knowledge in the field. I knew attending Regis would start me on the right path to becoming the professional I hope to be some day.
Now that I am further in my education and have been on a clinical affiliation, I have seen the additional positive effects manual therapy can have on patients—pain control, neuromuscular resetting, and positive psychological effects. Because of my enthusiasm for orthopaedic manual therapy, my excellent communication skills, and my leadership experience, I feel that I embody all the qualities needed to become your APTA Liaison Committee Chair.
I am currently the Liaison Chair for Regis’ annual philanthropic event, was the President of the Pre-Physical Therapy club at Murray State, and was a member of Murray State’s soccer team. These experiences have well prepared me to work closely with the APTA and to work on promoting the AAOMPT-sSIG at the next CSM. I am ready to take on the task of being the APTA Liaison Committee Chair and to do what is necessary for this position. I am excited to work as part of a team for the betterment and growth our sSIG. Thank you very much for your consideration!
Matthew Sheltz - Member At Large
Hello, my name is Matthew Sheltz and I am going to be a second semester DPT student at the University of St. Augustine this summer. I am running for Member At Large, because I would like to further develop my professional skills and am eager to inform others about the benefits of manual therapy. Originally from Connecticut, I have lived in Florida since 1996 with the exception of two years of living in Hawaii. I possess an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts, (my second passion,) and worked as a regional operations director for 5 years. During this time I learned valuable business and public relation skills, however I still felt a strong pull towards physical medicine and was not satisfied with my career choice. I used the money that I had been saving to invest in my education including all of the necessary prerequisites for PT school. While back in school I gained valuable clinical experience in an outpatient orthopaedic setting for two years. This experience has changed my life and has reinforced my confidence and passion for the profession at large.
The therapists that I had the pleasure of working with and learning from utilized their MTCs and were so passionate about manual therapy in their treatment of patients. I was fascinated by how these patients responded so well to the combination of manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. Now that I am in the DPT program, I understand the ‘why’ of manual therapy and am eager to learn more. I feel as if I have first-hand knowledge of the techniques involved in treatment and can testify as a witness to its proven success in rehabilitation.
I realize that I still have a lot to learn, however I already understand the value of manual therapy as a specialty tool. I believe that being able to put your hands on a patient and help them to feel better is a very special skill, one that should not be underestimated. This skill is one that I intend to make part of my treatment options with future patients. I believe that being a part of an organization that represents this skill before I graduate will assist me in learning more about the holistic approach to patient care. The ability to bridge relationships between people, communicate ideas to both parties clearly, and gather information to share with others in a cohesive manner are all qualities that I possess. I want to help my fellow colleagues find the information they are seeking in regards to manual therapy issues, as well as keeping those informed about events that would be of interest and importance to them.
Within my current class, I have become one of the leaders that help guide other students. I have a thirst for knowledge and desire to become a bigger part of this advocacy. I know that I would prove to be a valuable asset to this organization and to my colleagues when given the position.
The therapists that I had the pleasure of working with and learning from utilized their MTCs and were so passionate about manual therapy in their treatment of patients. I was fascinated by how these patients responded so well to the combination of manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. Now that I am in the DPT program, I understand the ‘why’ of manual therapy and am eager to learn more. I feel as if I have first-hand knowledge of the techniques involved in treatment and can testify as a witness to its proven success in rehabilitation.
I realize that I still have a lot to learn, however I already understand the value of manual therapy as a specialty tool. I believe that being able to put your hands on a patient and help them to feel better is a very special skill, one that should not be underestimated. This skill is one that I intend to make part of my treatment options with future patients. I believe that being a part of an organization that represents this skill before I graduate will assist me in learning more about the holistic approach to patient care. The ability to bridge relationships between people, communicate ideas to both parties clearly, and gather information to share with others in a cohesive manner are all qualities that I possess. I want to help my fellow colleagues find the information they are seeking in regards to manual therapy issues, as well as keeping those informed about events that would be of interest and importance to them.
Within my current class, I have become one of the leaders that help guide other students. I have a thirst for knowledge and desire to become a bigger part of this advocacy. I know that I would prove to be a valuable asset to this organization and to my colleagues when given the position.
Emily Hoke - President
My name is Emily Hoke and I am humbly and ecstatically running for AAOMPT sSIG president. I am originally from Portland, Oregon and decided to remain among the rain when I attended The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington where I received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a minor in classic languages and history. I am currently a first year at the University of Colorado Physical Therapy program where I have assisted in planning events for the Marquette challenge, events to raise awareness during PT month, the 9News Health Fair, and acted as one of our university’s APTA student representatives. I plan to channel those experiences into my role as president of the AAOMPT sSIG.
I became fascinated by orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) after the realization of the all-encompassing effects of manual therapy. Patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions alike may benefit from OMPT, which lead me to ponder about the broader benefits to all areas of physical therapy. This realization is what led me to run for AAOMPT president to convey manual therapy as an integral part of our skill-set to all future therapists.
The mission of the sSIG of the AAOMPT is to increase awareness of manual therapy’s role in clinical decision making, establish a rapport between students and leaders in the field of manual therapy and provide opportunities for students to expand their manual therapy knowledge through national conferences and regional meetings. As president I plan to lead the executive committee and student to expand the awareness of manual therapy.
Increase awareness of manual therapy in all areas of physical therapy
It is my firm belief that manual therapy has a role in all areas of physical therapy. Ever since my early introduction to the profession, by my mother, who is an amazing OMPT, I noticed wide array of indications for therapy. However, it was not until recently that I realized the overarching benefits of skilled manual therapy. I realize that OMPT is beyond orthopedics, and my vision as president is that students are confident in utilizing its benefits in whichever realm they settle in, whether it be long-term care, women's health, orthopedics or any setting that physical therapy functions.
Establish a rapport between students and leaders in the field
I plan to continue the current AAOMPT executive’s fantastic example of offering opportunities for students and current manual therapists to discuss clinical approaches and current research and ideas. I was fortunate to attend the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, where I was not only reminded of the collaborative and common ambitions of physical therapists from all areas of practice, but through the AAOMPT sSIG was able to meet and discuss specifics with lecturers I had witnessed during the day. I plan to increase those opportunities beyond the national conference and encourage regional and local opportunities for students to interact with local leaders in OMPT and potentially link with future mentors.
I became fascinated by orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) after the realization of the all-encompassing effects of manual therapy. Patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions alike may benefit from OMPT, which lead me to ponder about the broader benefits to all areas of physical therapy. This realization is what led me to run for AAOMPT president to convey manual therapy as an integral part of our skill-set to all future therapists.
The mission of the sSIG of the AAOMPT is to increase awareness of manual therapy’s role in clinical decision making, establish a rapport between students and leaders in the field of manual therapy and provide opportunities for students to expand their manual therapy knowledge through national conferences and regional meetings. As president I plan to lead the executive committee and student to expand the awareness of manual therapy.
Increase awareness of manual therapy in all areas of physical therapy
It is my firm belief that manual therapy has a role in all areas of physical therapy. Ever since my early introduction to the profession, by my mother, who is an amazing OMPT, I noticed wide array of indications for therapy. However, it was not until recently that I realized the overarching benefits of skilled manual therapy. I realize that OMPT is beyond orthopedics, and my vision as president is that students are confident in utilizing its benefits in whichever realm they settle in, whether it be long-term care, women's health, orthopedics or any setting that physical therapy functions.
Establish a rapport between students and leaders in the field
I plan to continue the current AAOMPT executive’s fantastic example of offering opportunities for students and current manual therapists to discuss clinical approaches and current research and ideas. I was fortunate to attend the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, where I was not only reminded of the collaborative and common ambitions of physical therapists from all areas of practice, but through the AAOMPT sSIG was able to meet and discuss specifics with lecturers I had witnessed during the day. I plan to increase those opportunities beyond the national conference and encourage regional and local opportunities for students to interact with local leaders in OMPT and potentially link with future mentors.
Ryan Wooderson - Vice President
My name is Ryan Wooderson and I am running for Vice-President. Originally from Hutchinson, KS, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Creighton University in Omaha, NE in 2006. I began my Master’s Degree in Exercise Science at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before transferring closer to home at the University of Kansas. I was unable to finish my degree before I was accepted into the DPT Class of 2012 at Regis University, but plan on finishing the few hours I have left following the completion of my DPT.
Although I am just a 1st year student at Regis University, I am not a rookie in exposure to manual therapy. On my path to physical therapy school I was fortunate to observe and work with several physical therapists who consistently practiced orthopaedic manual physical therapy. The techniques were intriguing to me as they seemed a bit atypical from other protocols , but the most impressive part of their practice was the results. I learned quickly that not only did patients treated with orthopaedic manual therapy see faster, more positive results, they also seemed less likely to be return patients. Due to its extraordinary success of treatment, orthopaedic manual physical therapy and its role in evidence-based practice became an integral part in my decision to attend Regis University. With a number of faculty who are considered experts and leaders in the always growing field of manual therapy, I felt Regis offered me the best opportunity to become successful in the field I have become so passionate about.
As Vice-President, one of my main duties will be to serve as liaison between the Leadership committee and all AAOMPT-sSIG subchapters. My prior roles as an academic advisor to Pre-Physical Therapy students and an executive member of the School of Education Student Organization at the University of Kansas have afforded me the necessary experience and desire to be a voice speaking the will of my peers. The role of Vice-President also requires an individual with the ability to maintain relations among sSIG members. During my time at the University of Kansas I was fortunate to be the advisor to the Pre-Physical Therapy club. Working with so many different kinds of people will no doubt allow me to facilitate positive relations among members of the sSIG.
As Vice-President I will be a respectable representative for the student body who is ready to assist the President and all other chairs and committees in any way possible. I am a firm believer that no job is too big or too small for one person, and it is this hardworking, but ultimately helpful disposition that will serve me best in this role.
Based on my leadership experience and passion for the AAOMPT mission , I believe I am well suited for this position. I am ready for this responsibility and willing to take the lead on any task. I look forward to serving this body in whatever capacity I am able. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Although I am just a 1st year student at Regis University, I am not a rookie in exposure to manual therapy. On my path to physical therapy school I was fortunate to observe and work with several physical therapists who consistently practiced orthopaedic manual physical therapy. The techniques were intriguing to me as they seemed a bit atypical from other protocols , but the most impressive part of their practice was the results. I learned quickly that not only did patients treated with orthopaedic manual therapy see faster, more positive results, they also seemed less likely to be return patients. Due to its extraordinary success of treatment, orthopaedic manual physical therapy and its role in evidence-based practice became an integral part in my decision to attend Regis University. With a number of faculty who are considered experts and leaders in the always growing field of manual therapy, I felt Regis offered me the best opportunity to become successful in the field I have become so passionate about.
As Vice-President, one of my main duties will be to serve as liaison between the Leadership committee and all AAOMPT-sSIG subchapters. My prior roles as an academic advisor to Pre-Physical Therapy students and an executive member of the School of Education Student Organization at the University of Kansas have afforded me the necessary experience and desire to be a voice speaking the will of my peers. The role of Vice-President also requires an individual with the ability to maintain relations among sSIG members. During my time at the University of Kansas I was fortunate to be the advisor to the Pre-Physical Therapy club. Working with so many different kinds of people will no doubt allow me to facilitate positive relations among members of the sSIG.
As Vice-President I will be a respectable representative for the student body who is ready to assist the President and all other chairs and committees in any way possible. I am a firm believer that no job is too big or too small for one person, and it is this hardworking, but ultimately helpful disposition that will serve me best in this role.
Based on my leadership experience and passion for the AAOMPT mission , I believe I am well suited for this position. I am ready for this responsibility and willing to take the lead on any task. I look forward to serving this body in whatever capacity I am able. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Kristin Stockham - Employment Committee Chair
My name is Kristin Stockham. I am from Kalispell, Montana. I graduated from Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy and a minor in Business Administration. I am presently a second year doctor of physical therapy student at Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
I became interested in pursuing physical therapy as a career after I incurred multiple injuries of varying degrees as a competitive gymnast for eight years. Though I had seen multiple healthcare providers during this time my physical therapist was different from the others. My physical therapist was interested in who I was as an individual and valued my goals for therapy. The physical therapist was able to quickly and thoroughly intervene for my return to competitive gymnastics. After experiencing such results from physical therapy I knew I wanted to be a part of a profession that valued the individualistic aspect of patient care.
During the summer of my sophomore year in college I had the opportunity to work as a physical therapy aide. Though the therapist I worked for was not solely a manual physical therapist I was exposed to multiple patients requiring varying manual therapy interventions. During my senior year of college I completed my senior practicum at a manual physical therapy clinic. During these ten weeks I was able to witness the drastic, positive, effects of specific manual therapy directed treatments on a diverse group of patients.
I have always had a strong passion for leadership both informally and formally. As an outpouring of this passion I have had multiple opportunities to grow in my leadership abilities. During my junior and seniors years of college I served as Seattle Pacific University’s Honorary Women’s Service Club’s publicist and president, respectively. I presently serve as vice president and class ambassador for Regis University’s Physical Therapy Class of 2011. I had the opportunity to attend the 2008 and 2009 APTA Colorado State Chapter Fall Symposiums and the 2009 and 2010 APTA Combined Sections Meetings. I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for my need to be involved directly in my chosen profession not only as a practicing clinician, but also as a student.
I am submitting a platform for the Employment Committee Chair, because I believe the leadership experience I have had is directly related to the tasks inherent of this position. I have had extensive experience serving as a liaison between my classmates, faculty and staff and the community. As Employment Committee Chair I would serve as a liaison between students and manual therapists. I learned from my senior practicum that there are manual therapists excited to mentor students, but unaware of particular, formal avenues to get involved. I would serve in disseminating this information not only to the students, but also seeking manual therapists interested in pursuing these relationships with students. I am optimistic that not only will the students benefit, but also the practicing clinicians can be positively impacted by the voice of students.
I became interested in pursuing physical therapy as a career after I incurred multiple injuries of varying degrees as a competitive gymnast for eight years. Though I had seen multiple healthcare providers during this time my physical therapist was different from the others. My physical therapist was interested in who I was as an individual and valued my goals for therapy. The physical therapist was able to quickly and thoroughly intervene for my return to competitive gymnastics. After experiencing such results from physical therapy I knew I wanted to be a part of a profession that valued the individualistic aspect of patient care.
During the summer of my sophomore year in college I had the opportunity to work as a physical therapy aide. Though the therapist I worked for was not solely a manual physical therapist I was exposed to multiple patients requiring varying manual therapy interventions. During my senior year of college I completed my senior practicum at a manual physical therapy clinic. During these ten weeks I was able to witness the drastic, positive, effects of specific manual therapy directed treatments on a diverse group of patients.
I have always had a strong passion for leadership both informally and formally. As an outpouring of this passion I have had multiple opportunities to grow in my leadership abilities. During my junior and seniors years of college I served as Seattle Pacific University’s Honorary Women’s Service Club’s publicist and president, respectively. I presently serve as vice president and class ambassador for Regis University’s Physical Therapy Class of 2011. I had the opportunity to attend the 2008 and 2009 APTA Colorado State Chapter Fall Symposiums and the 2009 and 2010 APTA Combined Sections Meetings. I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for my need to be involved directly in my chosen profession not only as a practicing clinician, but also as a student.
I am submitting a platform for the Employment Committee Chair, because I believe the leadership experience I have had is directly related to the tasks inherent of this position. I have had extensive experience serving as a liaison between my classmates, faculty and staff and the community. As Employment Committee Chair I would serve as a liaison between students and manual therapists. I learned from my senior practicum that there are manual therapists excited to mentor students, but unaware of particular, formal avenues to get involved. I would serve in disseminating this information not only to the students, but also seeking manual therapists interested in pursuing these relationships with students. I am optimistic that not only will the students benefit, but also the practicing clinicians can be positively impacted by the voice of students.
Stacey Jones - Member at Large
I am a second-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). I completed my undergraduate work at Georgia Southern University, graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor's of Kinesiology degree, majoring in Exercise Science. After completing my undergraduate work, I was employed as an exercise physiologist at Fairview Hospital in Dublin, GA, my home town. While there, I worked along side physical therapists as part of the cardiac rehabilitation program at the hospital. During this time, my passion for physical therapy was born, and lead to my entry into the Class of 2011 at MCG. My personal interests include running, playing intramurals including football and softball, and taking time out to enjoy life whenever school allows. As my didactic work is nearing an end and clinicals are about the begin, I have a sense of excitement and a growing desire to serve our profession. It is this desire that has lead to my decision to run for Member-at-Large.
I was first exposed to manual therapy through my orthopaedic course work. I found the concept of spinal manipulation to be intriguing and it was then that my interest in manual therapy formed into concrete action and I became an AAOMPT student member. I have been an AAOMPT member for more than a year, and while my hands-on experience with manual therapy is limited, I am frequently found discussing and debating the finer points of manual techniques. I enjoy practicing spinal manipulation on my friends, classmates, and family and eagerly await the chance to employ my skills with real patients in my upcoming clinicals. The fact that my first clinical experience didn't include much in the way of manual therapy caused my interest to spur to greater heights. I realized the need for those of us who are interested in this hands on craft to act in ways that increase the awareness of manual therapy so that patients everywhere can benefit from high quality physical therapy.
At MCG, I serve as the 2011 Class Vice President and am class representative to the Student Government Association. Through these roles, I have gained valuable experience working as part of a leadership group, and in representing our class to the executive leadership of the MCG student body. These are skills that will naturally extend to that of Member-at-Large position for the Student SIG of AAOMPT. I have strong communication skills and, through my roles at MCG, routinely serve as a relay between members of our class and the student body leadership.
I look forward to serving this group and connecting with new friends and colleagues around the country with interests similar to mine. Thank you for considering my candidacy for this exciting opportunity.
I was first exposed to manual therapy through my orthopaedic course work. I found the concept of spinal manipulation to be intriguing and it was then that my interest in manual therapy formed into concrete action and I became an AAOMPT student member. I have been an AAOMPT member for more than a year, and while my hands-on experience with manual therapy is limited, I am frequently found discussing and debating the finer points of manual techniques. I enjoy practicing spinal manipulation on my friends, classmates, and family and eagerly await the chance to employ my skills with real patients in my upcoming clinicals. The fact that my first clinical experience didn't include much in the way of manual therapy caused my interest to spur to greater heights. I realized the need for those of us who are interested in this hands on craft to act in ways that increase the awareness of manual therapy so that patients everywhere can benefit from high quality physical therapy.
At MCG, I serve as the 2011 Class Vice President and am class representative to the Student Government Association. Through these roles, I have gained valuable experience working as part of a leadership group, and in representing our class to the executive leadership of the MCG student body. These are skills that will naturally extend to that of Member-at-Large position for the Student SIG of AAOMPT. I have strong communication skills and, through my roles at MCG, routinely serve as a relay between members of our class and the student body leadership.
I look forward to serving this group and connecting with new friends and colleagues around the country with interests similar to mine. Thank you for considering my candidacy for this exciting opportunity.
Grant Lundberg - Employment Committee Chair
Greetings fellow AAOMPT sSIG members! My name is Grant Lundberg and I am running for the Employment Committee Chair. I am originally from Spokane, WA where I was born and raised. I played soccer at Gonzaga University where I earned my Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. I am currently a 2nd year DPT student at Regis University.
An interest in manual physical therapy began early during my first year at Regis University. Many of our musculoskeletal management courses focus on evidence-based manual therapy interventions and are taught by faculty members who are leaders and experts in the manual therapy profession, such as Dr. Tim Flynn. With a rising interest in manual therapy, I became an AAOMPT member in September of 2009 to further progress my knowledge within this area. In addition, I attended the 2009 National AAOMPT conference in Washington D.C. which provided me the opportunity to collaborate with other physical therapy students and network with other manual therapy specialists. Furthermore, I was able to take an active part in Capitol Hill Day in which I was able to inform multiple congressmen of current issues occurring within the physical therapy profession. My continued exposure to the overwhelming evidence supporting manual therapy techniques in physical therapy has generated my desire and passion to promote evidence-based orthopaedic manual physical therapy.
My primary focus in running for Employment Committee Chair is to help students to make more networking contacts and establish personal mentorship with manual physical therapists. I have had personal experience in reaching out to mentors within the APTA organization which has provided me a valuable resource. Currently there is very little opportunity for students who desire to become mentored by manual therapy experts while in school. It is my goal to improve this facet of accessing mentors with manual therapy interests as well as provide chances for students to receive further education in manual therapy.
In order to accomplish this goal, I plan to implement an easy and informative way of becoming connected to manual therapy mentors. My main goal is to make more connections with Fellows of AAOMPT at national conferences which will allow the opportunity to build relationships and generate contacts for students around the nation with manual therapy interest. The Fellows who agree to becoming mentors can have their information posted online, so students will have easier access in finding a mentor that is close to them. Relationships and experience are essential aspects in fostering professional development within manual physical therapy, and I am determined to build a stronger connection between physical therapists who have obtained manual therapy expertise and students who strive for that.
Based on my leadership skills, such as serving as Fundraising Chair for Regis University Class of 2011, and experiences in being mentored by leaders of the APTA and AAOMPT organizations, I feel qualified to serve as the Employment Committee Chair. Thank you for your time and consideration.
An interest in manual physical therapy began early during my first year at Regis University. Many of our musculoskeletal management courses focus on evidence-based manual therapy interventions and are taught by faculty members who are leaders and experts in the manual therapy profession, such as Dr. Tim Flynn. With a rising interest in manual therapy, I became an AAOMPT member in September of 2009 to further progress my knowledge within this area. In addition, I attended the 2009 National AAOMPT conference in Washington D.C. which provided me the opportunity to collaborate with other physical therapy students and network with other manual therapy specialists. Furthermore, I was able to take an active part in Capitol Hill Day in which I was able to inform multiple congressmen of current issues occurring within the physical therapy profession. My continued exposure to the overwhelming evidence supporting manual therapy techniques in physical therapy has generated my desire and passion to promote evidence-based orthopaedic manual physical therapy.
My primary focus in running for Employment Committee Chair is to help students to make more networking contacts and establish personal mentorship with manual physical therapists. I have had personal experience in reaching out to mentors within the APTA organization which has provided me a valuable resource. Currently there is very little opportunity for students who desire to become mentored by manual therapy experts while in school. It is my goal to improve this facet of accessing mentors with manual therapy interests as well as provide chances for students to receive further education in manual therapy.
In order to accomplish this goal, I plan to implement an easy and informative way of becoming connected to manual therapy mentors. My main goal is to make more connections with Fellows of AAOMPT at national conferences which will allow the opportunity to build relationships and generate contacts for students around the nation with manual therapy interest. The Fellows who agree to becoming mentors can have their information posted online, so students will have easier access in finding a mentor that is close to them. Relationships and experience are essential aspects in fostering professional development within manual physical therapy, and I am determined to build a stronger connection between physical therapists who have obtained manual therapy expertise and students who strive for that.
Based on my leadership skills, such as serving as Fundraising Chair for Regis University Class of 2011, and experiences in being mentored by leaders of the APTA and AAOMPT organizations, I feel qualified to serve as the Employment Committee Chair. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Brian Briggs - Membership Committee Chair
My name is Brian Briggs and I am running for Membership Committee Chair. I earned my Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training from Creighton University in Omaha, NE and a Masters degree in Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Currently, I am a second year DPT student at Regis University in Denver, CO.
I have had an excellent introduction and working knowledge of orthopaedic manual physical therapy while enrolled at Regis University. I have completed numerous courses focused on evidenced-based orthopaedic manual therapy techniques and have been mentored by international leaders of manual therapy, such as Dr. Tim Flynn who is past-president of AAOMPT and academic professor at Regis University. In addition, I recently attended the AAOMPT national conference in Washington D.C. in which I was able to network and learn from many other renowned leaders in manual physical therapy.
These experiences have spawned my passion for manual therapy and desire to promote its benefits. As a result, I feel compelled to run for the Membership Committee Chair position. I believe that physical therapy students who pursue orthopaedic physical therapy must become knowledgeable with current manual therapy practices. The AAOMPT sSIG offers students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of evidence-based orthopaedic manual physical therapy while providing a forum to network and learn from other colleagues and leaders in the field. As the Membership Chair, I will strive to increase membership as well as the number of schools represented in the student-AAOMPT.
As Membership Committee Chair, I will market the AAOMPT organization towards non-AAOMPT members interested in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. The idea is to incorporate a mentorship session at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting hosted by AAOMPT faculty. This session will provide students with insight regarding current evidenced-based orthopaedic manual physical therapy skills and will provide the opportunity to practice manual therapy techniques. This mentorship opportunity will help promote interest pertaining to manual therapy issues, and ultimately increase AAOMPT membership, by providing students the ability to converse, interact, and network with orthopaedic manual physical therapy specialists.
Based on my experiences and other leadership positions, such as serving as the Class President of Regis University DPT 2011, I feel qualified to promote AAOMPT and build its membership. Serving as the Membership Committee Chair will allow me the best venue of promoting not only my passion of orthopaedic manual physical therapy, but also the profession of physical therapy in a larger capacity.
This position requires passion, dedication, and the responsibility of promoting AAOMPT’s vision of advocating evidence-based musculoskeletal physical therapy practices. These are all qualities and beliefs that I possess and feel that serving as the Membership Committee Chair, I will emulate. Thank you for this opportunity and consideration.
Professionally Yours,
Brian Briggs, SPT
I have had an excellent introduction and working knowledge of orthopaedic manual physical therapy while enrolled at Regis University. I have completed numerous courses focused on evidenced-based orthopaedic manual therapy techniques and have been mentored by international leaders of manual therapy, such as Dr. Tim Flynn who is past-president of AAOMPT and academic professor at Regis University. In addition, I recently attended the AAOMPT national conference in Washington D.C. in which I was able to network and learn from many other renowned leaders in manual physical therapy.
These experiences have spawned my passion for manual therapy and desire to promote its benefits. As a result, I feel compelled to run for the Membership Committee Chair position. I believe that physical therapy students who pursue orthopaedic physical therapy must become knowledgeable with current manual therapy practices. The AAOMPT sSIG offers students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of evidence-based orthopaedic manual physical therapy while providing a forum to network and learn from other colleagues and leaders in the field. As the Membership Chair, I will strive to increase membership as well as the number of schools represented in the student-AAOMPT.
As Membership Committee Chair, I will market the AAOMPT organization towards non-AAOMPT members interested in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. The idea is to incorporate a mentorship session at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting hosted by AAOMPT faculty. This session will provide students with insight regarding current evidenced-based orthopaedic manual physical therapy skills and will provide the opportunity to practice manual therapy techniques. This mentorship opportunity will help promote interest pertaining to manual therapy issues, and ultimately increase AAOMPT membership, by providing students the ability to converse, interact, and network with orthopaedic manual physical therapy specialists.
Based on my experiences and other leadership positions, such as serving as the Class President of Regis University DPT 2011, I feel qualified to promote AAOMPT and build its membership. Serving as the Membership Committee Chair will allow me the best venue of promoting not only my passion of orthopaedic manual physical therapy, but also the profession of physical therapy in a larger capacity.
This position requires passion, dedication, and the responsibility of promoting AAOMPT’s vision of advocating evidence-based musculoskeletal physical therapy practices. These are all qualities and beliefs that I possess and feel that serving as the Membership Committee Chair, I will emulate. Thank you for this opportunity and consideration.
Professionally Yours,
Brian Briggs, SPT
Aaron Kelly - Social Committee Chair
I believe that my education, as a whole, is like a series of stepping stones. With each step, I gained the confidence to take a larger and higher step. My high school experience was a disaster, but in the face of having to repeat grade twelve twice, I pulled through. Today, I am proud to say that I have a little over one year of physical therapy school remaining at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. I began my education and grew more confident in my abilities by earning an Associate of Arts in Academic Studies at Lamar State College in Port Arthur, Texas. Finally, after one semester at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, I was ready to move on to something greater. In 2004, I moved to Lubbock and completed my Bachelors in Cell and Molecular Biology at Texas Tech University.
Not unlike many other DPT students in our program, I have to give most of the credit for my interest in manual therapy to a unique opportunity presented to me in my first year. This opportunity is the Student Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Association (SOMPTA). Three to four times each semester SOMPTA’s officers and faculty advisor come together to prepare a learning opportunity from which all of SOMPTA’s members will benefit. These learning opportunities are often in the form of a clinician-lead case presentation. In addition to the manual therapy-related case presentations afforded by SOMPTA, the annual AAOMPT conference in October of 2009 further excited my interest in manual therapy. My interest in manual therapy has also grown due to the enthusiasm and leadership of our program’s faculty many of whom are also faculty of the International Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine (IAOM). Because I have not yet had my orthopedic clinical rotation, my experience in manual therapy comes only from the great emphasis placed on manual therapy intervention in our orthopedic practice pattern courses.
I have held position as officer in a few different organizations. In my undergraduate years, I was once the President, and another time the Treasurer of a peer health organization called Impact Tech. We presented on topics such as depression, anxiety, nutrition, and various other topics related to student life. We didn’t have a formal Social Chair position in this organization, but as Treasurer and President, I worked with all of the members to organize fundraisers, American Cancer Society Relay-For-Life events, and team-building retreats. As a PT student, I served as the Race-Course Director for the National Physical Therapy Month Benefit Bike Ride, and am currently the Treasurer of SOMPTA.
In conclusion, I hope to have conveyed to you a sense of motivation and dedication to higher learning, and a great enthusiasm to Manual Therapy. While I have not held a formal position as Social Chair in the past, I believe that my experience as an officer in past and current organizations has given me the tools to succeed as AAOMPT’s sSIG Social Chair of 2010-2011.
With great gratitude,
Aaron Casey Kelly
Not unlike many other DPT students in our program, I have to give most of the credit for my interest in manual therapy to a unique opportunity presented to me in my first year. This opportunity is the Student Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Association (SOMPTA). Three to four times each semester SOMPTA’s officers and faculty advisor come together to prepare a learning opportunity from which all of SOMPTA’s members will benefit. These learning opportunities are often in the form of a clinician-lead case presentation. In addition to the manual therapy-related case presentations afforded by SOMPTA, the annual AAOMPT conference in October of 2009 further excited my interest in manual therapy. My interest in manual therapy has also grown due to the enthusiasm and leadership of our program’s faculty many of whom are also faculty of the International Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine (IAOM). Because I have not yet had my orthopedic clinical rotation, my experience in manual therapy comes only from the great emphasis placed on manual therapy intervention in our orthopedic practice pattern courses.
I have held position as officer in a few different organizations. In my undergraduate years, I was once the President, and another time the Treasurer of a peer health organization called Impact Tech. We presented on topics such as depression, anxiety, nutrition, and various other topics related to student life. We didn’t have a formal Social Chair position in this organization, but as Treasurer and President, I worked with all of the members to organize fundraisers, American Cancer Society Relay-For-Life events, and team-building retreats. As a PT student, I served as the Race-Course Director for the National Physical Therapy Month Benefit Bike Ride, and am currently the Treasurer of SOMPTA.
In conclusion, I hope to have conveyed to you a sense of motivation and dedication to higher learning, and a great enthusiasm to Manual Therapy. While I have not held a formal position as Social Chair in the past, I believe that my experience as an officer in past and current organizations has given me the tools to succeed as AAOMPT’s sSIG Social Chair of 2010-2011.
With great gratitude,
Aaron Casey Kelly
Tim Puckett - Employment Committee Chair
Hey guys my name is Tim Puckett and I am a second year PT student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. I attended Texas Tech University and earned my Bachelor’s in Biology before starting the DPT program at the HSC. I became interested in PT through a combination of being a knee patient and learning about how special the interaction is between a patient and a therapist. I love spending time working one-on-one with patients and helping them return to a desired lifestyle. My interest in manual therapy stemmed from my love of orthopedics and our ability as therapists to provide hands on treatment to orthopedic pathologies. Instilling a confidence in our patients through direct hands-on intervention is such a big factor in successfully treating patients. I am also a huge proponent of manual therapy because it is applicable in more than just the orthopedic setting. It can, and should, be utilized by pediatric, cardiopulmonary, neurologic and geriatric therapists. The versatility of manual therapy is incredible. I believe that involvement in post-graduate education is a necessity in developing safe, efficient and effective manual therapy skills to utilize in the clinic. I obtained experience in manual therapy working as a PT technician for two years prior to beginning school. Also, our program has provided a great emphasis on manual therapy. As an officer and member of the Student Orthopedic Manual PT Association, students seek out guest lectures, hands on lab sessions and other manual PT opportunities outside of our curriculum to help foster our growth as future clinicians.
The AAOMPT is essential in propelling manual therapy to new heights in our profession. I attended the AAOMPT National Conference in Washington, D.C. last October and was blown away by all of the clinicians and students at the conference. The dedication, interest and enthusiasm in becoming expert clinicians were so overwhelmingly inspiring that I knew I wanted to be a lifelong member of the AAOMPT. I believe that the sSIG can play an incredible role in fostering student involvement in the organization and encouraging lifelong leadership in the field of manual PT.
I have experience in being a leader as I am the President of the Student Physical Therapy Association for all DPT classes at TTUHSC. I am also the Vice President of the Student Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Association at TTUHSC. These positions have given me experience, insight and have helped me become a better leader. I believe that being a servant leader that shows stewardship in leading by example is the best way to lead. I will do this as the Employment Committee Chair. I will work hard to foster relationships between clinicians and students. I will be diligent in keeping students apprised of the many opportunities available to them through the AAOMPT. I will help students take full advantage of opportunities to progress their career in manual PT. I will fulfill my role to serve the student members of the AAOMPT sSIG. I greatly appreciate your vote! Thank you.
The AAOMPT is essential in propelling manual therapy to new heights in our profession. I attended the AAOMPT National Conference in Washington, D.C. last October and was blown away by all of the clinicians and students at the conference. The dedication, interest and enthusiasm in becoming expert clinicians were so overwhelmingly inspiring that I knew I wanted to be a lifelong member of the AAOMPT. I believe that the sSIG can play an incredible role in fostering student involvement in the organization and encouraging lifelong leadership in the field of manual PT.
I have experience in being a leader as I am the President of the Student Physical Therapy Association for all DPT classes at TTUHSC. I am also the Vice President of the Student Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Association at TTUHSC. These positions have given me experience, insight and have helped me become a better leader. I believe that being a servant leader that shows stewardship in leading by example is the best way to lead. I will do this as the Employment Committee Chair. I will work hard to foster relationships between clinicians and students. I will be diligent in keeping students apprised of the many opportunities available to them through the AAOMPT. I will help students take full advantage of opportunities to progress their career in manual PT. I will fulfill my role to serve the student members of the AAOMPT sSIG. I greatly appreciate your vote! Thank you.
Nataniel Barr - Employment Committee Chair
I have attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA since my freshman year. Saint Francis offers a six year program for a doctorate of physical therapy, so I am now in my fifth year of the program and final year of classroom learning. I did not know if physical therapy was going to be my career path in the later part of my junior year heading into the professional curriculum. Thankfully I have been guided into a profession that shows a true compassion for patients and has so many doors to be opened. I love this profession and look forward to being a practicing clinician in a few short years.
Our first hands-on class in the professional curriculum at Saint Francis University is cardiopulmonary physical therapy. After that course I was convinced that I would be practicing in this field of physical therapy. I was introduced to manual therapy in my first orthopedic class dealing with the extremities, but it was not until my first summer clinical education experience that I began thinking about a career in manual therapy. Since then my interest in manual therapy has grown. My clinical instructor was phenomenal in making me think about what was going on in each patient’s body. In addition, I am currently in the middle of my spine orthopedic course learning a few Grade V mobilizations of the spine along with other mobilizations and I love it. There is such a power that we as therapists hold in our hands. I want to be able to use that power to its fullest potential.
My experience with manual therapy is limited, as I am still a student. I have been exposed to it through with my clinical education experience. I was introduced to more manual techniques such as muscle energy techniques and spinal mobilizations in addition to the extremity techniques I had learned in my first orthopedic class. I am now completing my second orthopedic class dealing with the spine and learning manual techniques to treat spinal dysfunction. I am also fortunate to be enrolled in a special topics course taught by Lonnie Styles who is a fellow of the AAOMPT as well as an OCS. This class is really opening my eyes to what we can do with our hands and body to help bring a patient to a more functional level and reach their goals for therapy.
As Employment Committee Chair, I hope to give students the stepping stones to employment opportunities so that we can learn from those leading the way in manual therapy. We can learn all we want from our textbooks, but the experience and guidance from a practicing manual therapist is what will propel us to the next level.
Our first hands-on class in the professional curriculum at Saint Francis University is cardiopulmonary physical therapy. After that course I was convinced that I would be practicing in this field of physical therapy. I was introduced to manual therapy in my first orthopedic class dealing with the extremities, but it was not until my first summer clinical education experience that I began thinking about a career in manual therapy. Since then my interest in manual therapy has grown. My clinical instructor was phenomenal in making me think about what was going on in each patient’s body. In addition, I am currently in the middle of my spine orthopedic course learning a few Grade V mobilizations of the spine along with other mobilizations and I love it. There is such a power that we as therapists hold in our hands. I want to be able to use that power to its fullest potential.
My experience with manual therapy is limited, as I am still a student. I have been exposed to it through with my clinical education experience. I was introduced to more manual techniques such as muscle energy techniques and spinal mobilizations in addition to the extremity techniques I had learned in my first orthopedic class. I am now completing my second orthopedic class dealing with the spine and learning manual techniques to treat spinal dysfunction. I am also fortunate to be enrolled in a special topics course taught by Lonnie Styles who is a fellow of the AAOMPT as well as an OCS. This class is really opening my eyes to what we can do with our hands and body to help bring a patient to a more functional level and reach their goals for therapy.
As Employment Committee Chair, I hope to give students the stepping stones to employment opportunities so that we can learn from those leading the way in manual therapy. We can learn all we want from our textbooks, but the experience and guidance from a practicing manual therapist is what will propel us to the next level.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nathaniel Barr - Membership Committee Chair
I have attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA since my freshman year.Saint Francis offers a six year program for a doctorate of physical therapy, so I am now in my fifth year of the program and final year of classroom learning. I did not know if physical therapy was going to be my career path in the later part of my junior year heading into the professional curriculum. Thankfully I have been guided into a profession that shows a true compassion for patients and has so many doors to be opened. I love this profession and look forward to being a practicing clinician in a few short years.
Our first hands-on class in the professional curriculum at Saint Francis University is cardiopulmonary physical therapy. After that course I was convinced that I would be practicing in this field of physical therapy. I was introduced to manual therapy in my first orthopedic class dealing with the extremities, but it was not until my first summer clinical education experience that I began thinking about a career in manual therapy. Since then my interest in manual therapy has grown. My clinical instructor was phenomenal in making me think about what was going on in each patient’s body. In addition, I am currently in the middle of my spine orthopedic course learning a few Grade V mobilizations of the spine along with other mobilizations and I love it. There is such a power that we as therapists hold in our hands. I want to be able to use that power to its fullest potential.
My experience with manual therapy is limited, as I am still a student. I have been exposed to it through with my clinical education experience. I was introduced to more manual techniques such as muscle energy techniques and spinal mobilizations in addition to the extremity techniques I had learned in my first orthopedic class. I am now completing my second orthopedic class dealing with the spine and learning manual techniques to treat spinal dysfunction. I am also fortunate to be enrolled in a special topics course taught by Lonnie Styles who is a fellow of the AAOMPT as well as an OCS. This class is really opening my eyes to what we can do with our hands and body to help bring a patient to a more functional level and reach their goals for therapy.
In applying for the Membership Committee Chair, I hope to increase the number of members of this group and increase the influence we have as students on our own education. We, as students need to become more involved in our professional development. My experience on the Membership Committee of the West Central District of the PPTA will aid me in leading this committee to its peak.
Our first hands-on class in the professional curriculum at Saint Francis University is cardiopulmonary physical therapy. After that course I was convinced that I would be practicing in this field of physical therapy. I was introduced to manual therapy in my first orthopedic class dealing with the extremities, but it was not until my first summer clinical education experience that I began thinking about a career in manual therapy. Since then my interest in manual therapy has grown. My clinical instructor was phenomenal in making me think about what was going on in each patient’s body. In addition, I am currently in the middle of my spine orthopedic course learning a few Grade V mobilizations of the spine along with other mobilizations and I love it. There is such a power that we as therapists hold in our hands. I want to be able to use that power to its fullest potential.
My experience with manual therapy is limited, as I am still a student. I have been exposed to it through with my clinical education experience. I was introduced to more manual techniques such as muscle energy techniques and spinal mobilizations in addition to the extremity techniques I had learned in my first orthopedic class. I am now completing my second orthopedic class dealing with the spine and learning manual techniques to treat spinal dysfunction. I am also fortunate to be enrolled in a special topics course taught by Lonnie Styles who is a fellow of the AAOMPT as well as an OCS. This class is really opening my eyes to what we can do with our hands and body to help bring a patient to a more functional level and reach their goals for therapy.
In applying for the Membership Committee Chair, I hope to increase the number of members of this group and increase the influence we have as students on our own education. We, as students need to become more involved in our professional development. My experience on the Membership Committee of the West Central District of the PPTA will aid me in leading this committee to its peak.
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