News

Outstanding Service Award
Clinical Excellence Award
Hall of Fame Award
Clinical Instructor of the Year
Mentor Award
PTA Award of Excellence
Rookie of the Year Award
Otto A. Cordero Award for Lifetime Achievement
Wisconsin Private Practice Award
District Volunteer Service Award

Click here for full descriptions of each award. Nominations can be submitted online at https://forms.gle/TK7J4jKaaSwxPY8r7.

The nomination deadline is January 31, 2021. Awards will be presented at the APTA Wisconsin Spring 2021 Conference on April 15, 2021 at the Best Western Premier in Oshkosh.  Nominate a deserving peer today!

It's that time of year again! Do you know a PT or PTA who has made a difference in your life or the life of a loved one? Nominate them for our PT/PTA of the Year Award!

Submit your nomination and letter of support online at https://forms.gle/Eie5LKGkTi4yrgqX8.

A flyer to post in your clinics can be found at aptawi.org?1st2z9

The nomination deadline is January 31, 2021. The winner will be recognized at the APTA Wisconsin Spring Conference on April 15, 2021 at the Best Western Premier in Oshkosh.

We've received a few messages from members that they are no longer receiving our email communications. With the new APTA Wisconsin name our email address has changed. If you're not seeing emails from us be sure to check your Spam folder!  The email address should now end in aptawi.org. 

As many of you know, APTA changed its branding in June 2020. As a result of this, the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association is aligning with the APTA in their re-branding efforts.

There are many reasons to align with APTA, but to name a couple:

• A unified brand symbolizes our ability to work together by providing a platform that connects APTA, the specialty sections/academies, and other chapters.
• The new brand gives us a stronger unified voice that will increase our influence and efficacy as the leading advocate for our profession.

WPTA’s core values remain unchanged. We are aligning with the new brand to strengthen our connectivity and reduce complexity—which will make us a more effective association.

• You will continue to enjoy all the benefits you expect from WPTA.
• We will continue to operate autonomously to support the specialized needs and interests of our members.

Explore our website and check back regularly for new developments. Over the coming year, you'll see PT Connections, social media, and other materials take on the new branding. So keep your eye out for these gradual updates as we transition into alignment with APTA. 

We truly are better together, and we are so glad you are a member! If you have any questions about these efforts, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your membership, and for all you do for the patients of Wisconsin!

Amy Reiter

Executive Director, APTA Wisconsin 

On October 8, 2020 Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed a proclamation designating October as Physical Therapy Awareness Month -- recognizing our education, skill and commitment to helping Wisconsin patients move, live and play.

Wisconsin PTs, PTAs and students have collectively faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  They have been instrumental in rehabilitating individuals recovering from the virus, and continue working every day to keep folks across Wisconsin healthy, active, independent and pain-free.

Thank you to WPTA President Dennis Kaster, Legislative Action Committee Chair Brett Roberts and Committee member, Connie Kittleson, as well as our lobbyists Annie Early and Jeremey Shepherd for working with the Governor's office to ensure our role in the health of Wisconsin patients is recognized statewide.

View the proclamation here.

WPTA Payment Specialist Lynn Steffes, PT, DPT, has provided an updated spreadsheet with current telehealth payment information. 

October 6, 2020 Telehealth Payment Updates

Please consider helping us protect and promote the practice of physical therapy in Wisconsin by participating in our online drive! DID YOU REALIZE: if every member gave $10 each, we could raise $25,000 in political action committee (PAC) funds to support candidates for office that support physical therapy, our patients, and our mission?

The link below includes the first in a series of five PAC Podcasts as part of our online drive. Meet lobbyists Annie Early and Jeremey Shepherd who discuss the importance of WPTA member participation in the PAC https://wpta.org/?8ej11t

Will you consider a contribution of $100, $250, or $500 today? Why is your support SO important?

These funds allow us to:

• 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 on the forefront of the profession.
• 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.
• Assure money and funds are allocated for legal/policy issues in the promotion of physical therapy.
• Be leaders in regards to policy and healthcare reforms, and have the resources to execute them.
• Effectively counteract opposing causes and groups attempting to suppress our purpose.

The WPT-PAC empowers PTs and PTAs to be more involved in the process of shaping physical therapy practice laws and rules. WPTA created this mechanism to allow the physical therapy profession to channel its financial and grassroots support to help ensure that Wisconsin’s political leaders are aware of, and responsive to, the physical therapy profession's goals and viewpoints. WPT-PAC disburses funds according to the needs of the profession at a given time, not according to a political ideology. Contributions are deposited into a single bank account for disbursement consideration to state candidates.

WPT-PAC uses personal contributions for campaign contributions, and campaign fundraisers, that put our members and our lobbyists face-to-face with key members of legislative leadership, members of the Senate and Assembly Health Committee, the Governor, and many more relevant lawmakers.

WPT-PAC represents the profession with Wisconsin Legislators by providing opportunities for WPTA members and staff to voice support or opposition to proposed state legislation. WPTA members can recommend to WPT-PAC a candidate for which it should support, however the WPT-PAC committee, upon recommendations from our lobbyists, decides who will receive WPT-PAC contributions.

WPTA dues cannot be used for political contributions; it is illegal to use Association dues for PAC contributions. All contributions must be separate and voluntary to the WPT-PAC.

Although WPT-PAC can accept business/corporate contributions, those can only be used to pay WPT-PAC administrative costs (i.e. staff expenses, fundraising event costs, etc.); it is illegal to use business/corporate contributions for state political campaigns. Political contributions are not tax deductible for state income purposes.

ALL PT/PTAs benefit from legislation that is passed, not solely those who are WPTA members. Members, as well as non-members, can contribute to WPT-PAC.

Help us protect and promote the practice of physical therapy in Wisconsin with your personal contribution today. There is no minimum contribution level; all contributions are welcomed and appreciated! Our online drive goal is $25,000 by the end of 2020. This goal could be reached if all 2500 WPTA members donated only $10 each.

Donations can be made online at https://wpta.org/political-action-committee/donations/
 

As a follow-up to APTA’s first COVID-19 impact study, we now have state-specific survey data available. The charts in the Wisconsin focused report correspond to the charts found in the national-level report, https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/news-publications/2020/impact-of-covid-19-on-the-physical-therapy-profession. 

There were 175 survey respondents for Wisconsin.  While the number of respondents was lower, there were similiarities between Wisconsin and the national data.  You can review the state specific numbers here

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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is in the early stages of gathering feedback from stakeholders regarding Wisconsin Medicaid’s permanent telehealth policy. Telehealth is a way for patients to receive care in ways other than in person. This can include video or other types of remote communication used to deliver care to a patient or transfer medical information during:

• Health care delivery.
• Diagnosis.
• Consultation.
• Treatment.

ForwardHealth’s temporary telehealth policy will remain in effect until permanent policy is published. ForwardHealth has implemented temporary telehealth policy in response to COVID-19, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 49.45(61). ForwardHealth will publish additional guidance about the topics addressed in the ForwardHealth Updates listed below when the temporary policies transition to permanent telehealth policy. For information on temporary telehealth policy currently in effect, please refer to the following ForwardHealth Updates:

• The March 2020 Update (2020-09), titled “ Changes to ForwardHealth Telehealth Policies for Covered Services, Originating Sites, and Federally Qualified Health Centers.”
• The March 2020 Update (2020-12), titled “Temporary Changes to Telehealth Policy and Clarifications for Behavioral Health and Targeted Case Management Providers.”
• The March 2020 Update (2020-15), titled “Additional Services to Be Provided via Telehealth.”

Additional updates regarding telehealth policy will be communicated in the future.

WPTA Payment Specialist Lynn Steffes, PT, DPT, has provided an updated spreadsheet with current telehealth payment information. 

Click here to view the spreadsheet

WPTA Payment Specialist Lynn Steffes, PT, DPT, has provided an updated spreadsheet with current telehealth payment information. 

Please click here to view.

Let’s celebrate!

There is so much going on in Wisconsin that gives us pause. Our personal and professional lives have been turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no time like the present to bring attention to those things that are positive in our worlds. Among my many blessings are being healthy, happy and…being a PT! At 70, I can truly say I have never once looked back or regretted my choice to become a PT. Along with being a PT, I am grateful that I stumbled into becoming a member of our professional association. The APTA/WPTA have provided me with lifelong friends, personal and professional growth, and motivation to be the best PT I was capable of being. Let us take a break from our worries and celebrate our profession and APTA as we move into 100 years of being.

The APTA has formed a committee to oversee our proud heritage. Wisconsin’s very own Reenie Kavalar serves on that committee. Additionally, volunteers from each state were invited to serve as ambassadors to maximize awareness and help plan local events.

Here are a list of the activities and events being planned by APTA during 2021.

• Founders Day Celebrations à January 15, 2021. WPTA will be expected to create activities within our state to draw attention to our profession and kick off our year of celebrating. WPTA will be seeking your help in making this day meaningful.
• CSM – Orlando Feb 24 – 27, 2021
• Universal Studios – Feb 26^th
• Centennial Gala Sept 9-14, 2021 Washington DC
• APTA Lecture Series: All courses will be held at our new headquarters, APTA Centennial Center, in Alexandria, Virginia. Pricing, CEU information, lodging, and registration information to come.

1. Get Your Head in the Game: Basic Concussion Assessment and Management
   March 26-27, 2021 • Lecture and Lab
   Maj. Carrie Hoppes, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and Karen Lambert, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
2. Treating the Injured Runner
   April 23-24, 2021 • Lecture and Lab
   Blaise Williams, PT, PhD
3. Physical Therapist Management of the Bicyclist
   May 21-22, 2021 • Lecture and Demo
   Erik Moen, PT
4. The Eyes Have It: What Every PT Should Know in Managing the Most Common Vestibular Disorders
   June 25-26, 2021 • Lecture and Lab
   Janet Helminski, PT, PhD, and Michael Schubert, PT, PhD, FAPTA
5. Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation: State of the Science
   July 23-24, 2021 • Lecture and Lab
   Johnny Owens, PT, MPT
6. Practice Management: Balancing Compliance and Profit
   August 27-28, 2021 • Lecture
   Lynn Steffes, PT, DPT, Kara Gainer, JD, and CMS representative
7. Early Rehabilitation During Disasters
   September 24-25, 2021 • Lecture and Lab
   Pete Skelton, PT
8. Pain Science and Management: A Series of Hot Topics
   October 22-23, 2021 • Lecture
   Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD

As Wisconsin’s ambassador, I am inviting all of you to think about your life as a PT or PTA. Do you have pictures that might help with the chronology of physical therapy’s growth in Wisconsin? Do you have stories to share about practice through the years? Are there any artifacts like equipment, PT pins, badges, uniforms we could put on display at state meetings?

Please feel free to reach out to me with any ideas you may have for making this year meaningful. I also want to thank all of you who volunteered to be on Wisconsin’s centennial committee:

            Gwyneth Straker (APTA ambassador)

            Michele Thorman

            Marc Sherry

            Albojay Deacon

            Lindsay Dolan

            Pedro Zavada

            Linda Shepardson

            Barb Helgeson

Here is a link to the APTA website on Celebrating our Centennial: https://centennial.apta.org/

To purchase the webinar please visit https://wpta.org/events/webinars/?recID=E6198DF5-B89E-1B1C-945BD028C6FEA4C9

Technology in healthcare is rapidly expanding to all areas of patient care. Telehealth is the use of electronic communication to remotely provide health care information and services. This 1.5-hour introduction to telehealth will give attendees a basic understanding of telehealth including the different models of technology, options for use in practice, practice issues addressed by telehealth, regulatory and payment issues of telehealth, and platform options. This 1.5 hour course will enable the participant to understand and integrate current best evidence in telehealth into clinical practice.