News

Choose from 20 different courses this year and earn 11 CEUs!

October 16-17, 2025

Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells

Call 1-800-867-9453 by September 15 and use Group Code B29537 to reserve your overnight room!

 

Thursday, October 16

Cervical Radiculopathy: A Cased Based Application of Assessment and Treatment

Pragmatic Strategies to Include Diet and Nutrition Intervention in Your Physical Therapy Care

Case Based Approach to Clinical Legal and Ethical Considerations

The Body Beyond the Badge: Optimizing Police Officer Health & Performance

Upper Extremity Considerations for the Weightlifting Athlete

Physical Therapy in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care

Embracing the Primary Care Physical Therapist Role: Learning from Rural Wisconsin PTs

Cancer Rehab 360°: Optimizing Patient Outcomes from Admission to Survivorship

 

Friday, October 17

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork! How Team-Based Care Can Help Get Your Patients on Track

Exploring Guillain Barre Syndrome in a Rural Setting: Clinical Case Overview

Expanding a Clinician’s Ability to Treat Pain by Adopting a Population Health Lens

Pragmatically Lifestyle Management

Beating Burnout in Physical Therapy

Upper Extremity Functional Testing: A Data-Driven Approach for Return to Sport Decision-Making

Integration of Treating Pain with Neurocognitive Training and Exercise

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Can We Use Best Evidence to Improve Outcomes and Not Make the Same Mistakes Twice?

An Overview of Hip Preservation and its Conservative Management

Blood Flow Restriction Training

Hot Topics/Professional Issues Forum

 

So much to do beyond earning CEUs!

Student SIG 5K, Keynote Speaker, Exhibit Hall, Research Poster Presentations, Welcome Reception, Group Trivia Contest (NEW!), Scholarship Ceremony, and Chapter Business Meeting

 

Registration opening in early summer -- Stay tuned!

We are pleased to announce the following APTA Wisconsin members have been selected as recipients in the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association Honors and Awards programs!

 

Jacob Capin, PT, DPT, PhD, MS

Eugene Michels New Investigator Award

 

Jenna Chaussee, PT, DPT

Mary McMillan Scholarship Award for SPTs

 

Bernadette Gillick, PT, MS, PhD

Catherine Worthingham Fellows of the APTA

 

Robert Worth, PT, DPT, OCS, CMT, LAT

Lucy Blair Service Award

 

They will be recognized at the APTA Honors and Awards reception Sunday, July 13, at 5:30 p.m. and ceremony following at 6:30 p.m. Both events will take place at the Omni Shoreham in Washington D.C. and in conjunction with APTA Leadership Congress.

We want to hear from you!

Please join your Wisconsin Delegation to the APTA House of Delegates for a town hall style listening session on motions being considered at this year’s APTA House of Delegates meeting. We are eager to hear your perspective and feedback on select motions being considered this year, on a wide breadth of topics affecting nearly every aspect of the profession. These motions have the potential to impact the future of your practice and the profession, so your perspective is crucial!

Due to the high volume of motions being considered at this year’s House, these listening sessions will be divided into 2 separate town halls. You are welcome to attend one or both!

 

Wednesday, June 11 | 7 pm

Motions to be discussed include:

• Formation of a Primary Care PT specialty certification
• Broadening the definition of PT diagnosis to include laboratory tests and more
• DPT as the designated terminal degree for PT practice
• Tackling unwarranted practice variation
• Residency and fellowship programs in rural areas
• Student voting rights in the House of Delegates
• Digital health and Artificial Intelligence
• PTs as entry point providers
• APTA Vision Statement : updating the guiding principles

Moderator - Jim Cumming, PT, DPT (Chief Delegate)

Register at https://aptawi.org/events/webinars/?recID=46BEB8D7-BF35-4111-9E6DD9FC093B910F

 

Tuesday, June 17 | 7 pm

Motions to be discussed include:

• Amending the APTA Code of Ethics
• Adding a PTA to the APTA Board of Directors
• Expanding access to special interest groups
• Encouraging academic faculty to work in clinical practice
• PTs prescribing medications and supplements
• Collective bargaining for PT/ PTA
• Appropriate use of designations
• Licensure of PTs and PTAs
• Insurer prior authorization and utilization review
• CPT Reform

Moderator - Sue Griffin, PT, DPT (Chapter President)

Register at https://aptawi.org/events/webinars/?recID=3A7B0AF6-805E-4552-A47ED03D18869CAF

The APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors is excited to announce the creation of the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) to aid in the development of a leadership pipeline for our early and mid-career members.

The LDC will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee to identify potential leaders and then engage them in a series of leadership development experiences. Key to the program’s success will be the mentorship element. The LDC will tap into our Chapter’s extensive leadership lineage to identify mentors who will be matched with our future leaders based on the mentees past experiences and future goals.

Questions? Reach out to the committee co-chairs, Bill Boissonnault and Jeff Wilkens at LDC@aptawi.org. 

APTA Wisconsin's Direct Access Toolkit is designed to support healthcare administrators, rehabilitation directors, and clinicians in successfully implementing a direct access model of care.

Aligned with APTA Wisconsin’s strategic priorities, this resource provides:

• Guidance on obtaining administrative approval
• Overcoming common barriers
• Integrating direct access into various outpatient settings

With evidence-based insights and practical tools, the toolkit also serves as a valuable resource for those engaged in direct access legislative advocacy efforts.

Members can download the FREE toolkit at https://aptawi.org/members/directaccess/.

The APTA Wisconsin Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for upcoming leadership positions! If you are passionate about advancing the profession of physical therapy and want to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to consider running for a position. If you have friends or colleagues that would be great in a leadership role, please consider nominating them as well.

Positions up for election in fall 2025 include treasurer, secretary, nominating committee member, director, and delegate. Serving in these roles is a fantastic opportunity to shape the direction of our profession, advocate for our members, and contribute to the continued growth of physical therapy in our state.

Position descriptions can be found on the APTA Wisconsin website. Please reach out to Lauren Hogan at hoganln@uwm.edu with any questions or nominations for yourself or a colleague.

Great news for physical therapists and their patients—SB 964 has officially taken effect allowing physical therapists to certify eligibility for disabled parking plates and cards through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This is a significant step forward in improving accessibility and patient care.

A huge thank you to APTA Wisconsin member Chad Novasic, PT, for leading this initiative!

Check Your Sign-In Access

PTs can begin the process by logging in under Health Care Specialist Sign In:

https://disabledparking.wi.gov/

 

Verify Patient Eligibility

Temporary Permit (valid up to 6 months):

Eligibility & Application Details

Permanent Permit (renews every 4 years):

Eligibility & Application Details

 

Complete the Application

Paper Applications (English & Spanish):

• Temporary Permit ($6 fee)
• Permanent Permit (no fee)

Applicants are encouraged to make a copy before submission.

 

Online Applications:

Log in to the Health Care Specialist Portal and complete under “Applicant Information.”

Any applicable fees must still be paid online.

 

Clinic & Healthcare System Considerations

Each clinic or healthcare system should establish protocols regarding:

• Current, past, and prospective patients.
• Any associated costs for processing permits.
• Managing the authorization process within the practice.

 

Questions?

Email: [Wisconsin DMV Email Service]

Phone: (608) 266-3041

Fax: (608) 267-5106

This new authorization ability empowers PTs to better serve patients with mobility impairments, making it easier to access essential parking accommodations. Let’s spread the word!