News

Registration is now open for the APTA Wisconsin 2021 Fall Conference!  Visit https://aptawi.org/events/conference/2021/fall/ to see the conference schedule and register online.

If you plan to book an overnight room, please note, the group reservation expires after September 13, so be sure to book soon! A block of rooms has been reserved at the Glacier Canyon Lodge for registrants and their guests. Rates are $99.99 single/ double. Be sure to make your reservation by contacting Glacier Canyon Lodge at 800/867-WILD by September 13, 2021 with Group #737946. Check-in is after 4 pm and check-out is prior to 11 AM. Room and rate availability are not guaranteed after September 13.

A few members have contacted the Chapter office after receiving phone calls from someone named David Gray who is presenting himself as an investigator who works for the WPTA.  He has provided the members with details about their past workplaces and their NPI numbers.  

APTA Wisconsin does not have the authority to investigate its members in order to pursue legal action as it relates to criminal activity.  Any investigation regarding your license would be conducted by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.  Do not provide any additional details to this person if he contacts you.  

Support your fellow students by signing up for the "Motion is Lotion" Student SIG Virtual 5K Fundraiser, September 12-19!

The link for for more event details and registration is https://runsignup.com/motionislotion5k?remMeAttempt=
 

Event Highlights:

• Tickets are only $10!
• Comes with running routes for the main Wisconsin campuses and a training plan
• First 50 to register get a free t- shirt!
• Everyone will be registered for the prize drawing (2 Chipotle 'Dinner for Two' gift cards, 2 $30 performance running gift cards).
• Have fun at the run after party at Estabrook Park Saturday 9/18 from 2-4 pm.
• Money to go towards scholarships for PT and PTA students.

The APTA WI Academic Liaison Committee is sponsoring two mentorship opportunities for students. Below are the details, including the application process:

One year-long Mentorship (Offered to a 2nd year SPT)

• The mentee will be matched with a mentor who is in a leadership role within the WPTA, practices in the area that the mentee is interested in working in and is in the same geographical area.
• The program/relationship will be tailor fit to what the mentor/mentee discuss and decide. This will be an amazing opportunity for a motivated student to take and mold the mentorship experience that is ideal for the individual. This program format will allow the student and mentor to dictate the time/effort needed to achieve their goals. - i.e. monthly meetings, shadowing, phone calls, case studies, attending conferences together, attending a board meeting etc.

Two APTA WI Fall Conference Mentorships (All SPT and SPTA Student Eligible)

• The mentees will be matched with mentors who are in leadership roles within the APTA WI possibly practicing within the mentee's area of interest
• Mentees/mentors will attend the Fall Conference together (attendance for the entire Fall Conference is required). This program will also be fluid and can be tailor fit to the mentee/mentor. The general idea is to interact as much as possible. It is recommended to attend classes (except student only course) and as many other activities together as possible i.e. lunch (a table will be reserved for the mentorship program), business meeting, issues forum, student meet/greet and possibly the WPTA Board of Director Meeting

All you need to do to apply is just write a concise essay (no more than 500 words) addressing two items:

• Recent history of involvement in your undergrad and/or PT/PTA program, community, church, job, etc.
• What would they like to gain from this mentorship?
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR YEAR LONG MENTORSHIP: Outline/timeline of how you would like to have the mentorship structured (the more detailed the better)

The essays are due on September 24. The mentees will be notified within one week of this deadline.

Please email essays in a Word Document to the APTA Wisconsin Academic Liaison Committee members:
Erik Gregersen erik.gregersen@froedtert.com
Matt Paluchniak matthew.paluchniak@gmail.com
Sam Zehnder sam.zehnder@cuw.edu

Be sure to include your contact info including:
∙APTA ID, Name, Address, School (year in program) and Practice Area of Interest (ex: private practice, manual therapy, neuro, pediatrics, acute, etc.)

Looking to pay your member dues in monthly installments?  Now you can!

Choose the new APTA Monthly Payment Plan when joining or renewing. Each month, you will be charged one-twelfth of annual dues. Membership is still for a full year, and you can also set your membership to auto-renew every year! Learn more at apta.org/MPP.

To all our private practice colleagues:

Please join us at the APTA Wisconsin Fall conference in Wisconsin Dells on October 14 and 15 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Convention Center.

On Thursday night, October 14, the Private Practice Special Interest Group (PPSIG) will be hosting a fundraiser for the WPT-PAC and WPT Fund. In addition, it’s a meet and greet with all students attending the conference. This is an excellent way to meet a potential new entrepreneur or employee.

There will be education that evening as our lobbyists will discuss the legislative agenda for our Chapter. This includes legislation for relief of the burdensome utilization review which is hindering ongoing care, essentially limiting access to care, and making our days more difficult. Attend and learn how you can assist in this cause.

On Friday morning we are sponsoring continuing education from 8 am - Noon. Laurie Kontney, PT DPT, will be speaking about PT/PTA staffing requirements. Amy Snyder, PT DPT, our colleague, Vice President of the Private Practice Section will be updating us on our national agenda, and Lynn Steffes, PT DPT, will join us virtually for discussion regarding how to minimize your risk for audit. We will leave time at the end for a PPSIG business meeting.

All of us on the PPSIG Board are extremely interested in hearing what is going on with your practice. We know there are more and more clinicians opting for concierge type cash-based practice. This is extremely good news. We want to hear about your practice.

On behalf of the PPSIG, and on behalf of all the private practitioners in our great state, we really want to get to know you and what is working for you to grow your business. A strong network and a common message will help the people of Wisconsin learn the importance of our profession, and the value in seeing physical therapists first.

APTA Wisconsin PPSIG Board
John Hendrickson, PT
Jennifer Jeschke, PT, DPT
Bryan Cummings, PT, DPT
Amy Helminski, PT
Jason Koenigs, PT

The July issue of PT Connections is now available online! 

Click here to read it!

Highlights from this issue include:

• Federal legislative updates
• DEI Committee resource recommendations
• Fall conference sneak peek
• Important payment updates, and so much more!

Get some face time with 300 Wisconsin PTs, PTAs and Students at the APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference!

Thursday, October 14, 2021
Noon - 2 pm
(Unopposed exhibit time)
Glacier Canyon Lodge and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

We'll bring the attendees to you with lunch and giveaways. A limited number of skirted banquet tables will be available for exhibitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
A buffet lunch will be available from Noon - 2 pm for both exhibitors and attendees. Each 6' foot table will include an identification sign and up to two exhibitors are allowed per table (additional exhibitors are $15 each). Confirmation will be sent upon receipt of completed application.

Click here to learn more about our exhibitor packages and to download the registration form.

We encourage all PTs and PTAs to talk to their patients about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Patients should visit their county health department's website to learn the process for obtaining the vaccine, as it may differ depending on the health insurance provider and health care system. The website planyourvaccine.com is also available to the general public to learn where and when the vaccine will be available to them.

The CDC has many resources for educating your patients, and engaging with them regarding the vaccine. 

How to Talk to Your Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination

Answering Patients’ Questions About COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination

If you have received your vaccine now is a great time to show your patients and colleagues! The CDC has free vaccine toolkits available for download that include sticker sheets, posters and social media template messages. You can find the toolkits at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/health-systems-communication-toolkit.html.

New in 2021 is the APTA Monthly Payment Plan for annual membership dues. This opportunity is phasing in for existing members upon renewal. We would like to encourage you to set up a monthly PAC donation at this time as well!

Please click the link below, enter your information and simply click the “make this donation recurring” box.  You can choose from $5 to $100 per month!
https://aptawi.org/political-action-committee/donations/

Why is your support SO important?:

• Support candidates for public office that support our profession and our priorities
• Block legislation that threatens our scope of practice
• Advance legislation that continues to be in the forefront of moving the profession forward
• Secure a voice for us, and therefore a seat at the “policy table”
• Advocate for the future of physical therapy, while protecting all we have accomplished to date
• Be on the forefront of policy and healthcare reforms 
• Effectively counter act opposing causes and groups attempting to suppress our purpose

In honor of APTA's Centennial APTA Wisconsin members Gwyneth Straker, PT, MS, and Michele Thorman, PT, DPT, have created a timeline presentation detailing the founding of the Wisconsin chapter all the way through 2020 and our response to the COVID-19 epidemic.  

View the timeline here!