News

Early Career Conference Mentorship Offer — Save 25%
Are you within your first five years after graduation? The first 10 early career members to participate will be paired with a mentor and receive 25% off Fall Conference registration when they engage with their mentor as part of the conference experience. Sign up by September 23 to allow time for mentor matching.

 

Bring a Potential Member — You Both Save 25%
Bring a non-member colleague to Fall Conference and you’ll each receive 25% off registration! This pilot offer is limited to the first 10 pairs/20 participants. Each potential member may use the offer only once, while current members may bring more than one potential member and receive additional discounts.

 

To participate, please email [email protected] with the non-member’s name to receive the discount code you can both use when registering!

How can APTA Wisconsin better support you in staying current on research, putting evidence into practice, and sharing your own work?

 

The Practice and Research Committees want to hear directly from members about what would be most useful—from clinical practice and knowledge translation resources to opportunities like journal clubs, poster presentations, and research involvement.

 

Take a few minutes to share what you need and what you'd like to see more of. Your feedback will help guide future resources and opportunities for APTA Wisconsin members!

 

Take the Member Survey

Complete a 5K at your own pace and your own path between Sept 4 and Sept 11!

This year's 5K is VIRTUAL, meaning you can run your favorite path near you and send in your pace time.

Students, clinicians, friends, and family are all welcome to participate. We encourage you to connect and form a running/walking group with other 5K participants in your group and share photos with us.

Why Join Us?
Your participation helps fund vital programs and resources, including:

• Merit-based scholarships
• Cover conference registration fees
• Provide continuing education opportunities for student PT/PTAs across the state of Wisconsin 

Every sponsorship, contribution, and registration makes a meaningful impact—help us continue this incredible work.

Awards
Provided to the following individuals

• Fastest 5K time
• Largest Team
• Biggest Fundraiser

Timing
Individually provided, without results uploaded post-race. Note: times will not be certified or chip-timed.

Raffle Prizes & Tickets
Prizes are to be determined and purchase of raffle tickets are within the store. Winners announced via email on September 11th!

Additional tickets can be purchased during signup, online store, or on race day.
Start Time: 12:00am on September 4
Finish Time: 11:59pm on September 11

Not Running? Support the SSIG Virtual 5K
Organizations can still support the Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) as a Virtual 5K Sponsor for only $250.

Sponsors receive a company logo on 5K promotional materials, including the website, communication emails, and social media posts, plus the opportunity to provide coupons or giveaway items to participants.

Support an incredible cause, enjoy the great outdoors, and enjoy physical activity!

Register Now

The APTA Wisconsin Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the slate of candidates for the Fall 2026 election that will commence in October.

 

Positions up for election include Chief Delegate, Delegate, Director, PTA Council Rep, and Nominating Committee. Incumbents are marked with (I).

 

Fall 2026 Candidate Slate

Chief Delegate (1):

• Jim Cumming (I)

Delegate (4):

• Carlynn Alt (I)
• Eric Bromeisl
• Lee Coleman (I)
• Bryan Cumming (I)
• Angela Imhoff
• Julia Namath
• Jonathan Walton

Director (2):

• Daniel Deuel
• Paulina Pohlman
• Jonathon Weiss (I)

PTA Council Rep (1):

• Jack Knudson-Stuhr

Nominating Committee Member (2):

• Sheri Bunyan
• Kristi Hallisy (I)

Nominations From the Floor

The Nominating Committee is continuing to accept nominations from the floor for leadership positions through August 15, 2026.

 

If you are interested in one of these roles or know someone who would be a good fit in one of these roles, consider nominating them.

 

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 Nominating Committee Chair Jane Bernatovich at [email protected] with any questions or nominations for yourself or a colleague.

APTA Wisconsin is excited to introduce the new Early Career Special Interest Group (EC SIG), created specifically to support physical therapists and physical therapist assistants during their first five years in practice.

 

The transition from student to full-time clinician is exciting, but it can also come with plenty of new challenges. The EC SIG gives early-career members a place to connect with peers navigating the same stage of their careers, learn from experienced clinicians, access resources designed for new professionals, and find opportunities to get involved in advocacy and leadership.

 

Heading to the APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference this October? Stop by the EC SIG table to say hello, meet other early-career clinicians from across Wisconsin, and share your ideas for what you'd like to see from the group.

 

The EC SIG is currently planning its upcoming initiatives, with more opportunities to connect, learn, and get involved coming soon.

It’s time to share your scholarly contributions with the APTA Wisconsin community!

 

If you would like to present a research poster at the upcoming 2026 APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference, please see details below for submitting your research abstract for consideration.

 

RESEARCH ABSTRACT GUIDELINES

WHO: Researchers, residents, clinicians, and students are invited to submit abstracts for review and possible presentation as a research poster at the 2026 APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference.

WHEN: Research posters will be presented on the afternoon of Thursday, October 1st. If accepted for presentation, the first author must be in attendance to present their respective poster from 4:00 – 5:00 pm during the conference poster reception (other co-authors are welcome but do not need to be in attendance).

WHERE: Ingleside Hotel – 2810 Golf Rd, Pewaukee, WI 53072

RESEARCH CATEGORIES: Research Report, Case Study, or Special Interest (i.e., presentations of unique and innovative concepts or ideas developed to meet the special needs of physical therapy.)

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, September 11th at 5:00pm CST

 

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Complete the submission form that is relevant to your work and email it as an attachment to Antoinette Spector, PT, DPT, PhD ([email protected]).

Case Study Abstract Authors: Use the Case Study Submission Form Below

Research Abstract Authors: Use the Research Abstract Submission Form Below

Special interest Abstract Authors: Use the Special Interest Submission Form Below

 

ABSTRACT REVIEW PROCESS:

After a peer review process, abstracts will be selected for presentation in a research poster format. The number of abstracts selected depends on space. Authors will be notified of their acceptance/rejection on a rolling basis.

 

ABSTRACT GUIDELINES:

► Abstract body limited to 2,600 including spaces and headings.

► Abbreviations cannot be used in the abstract title.

► Abbreviations in the abstract body must be spelled in the first mention followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.

► Sections indicated on the abstract submission form must be used.

► A minimum of five recent (less than 10 years) references in American Medical Association (AMA) format must be included. References are not included in the character count.

► Submit the form as a Word document. Please do not send pdf or jpeg files.

 

Any questions regarding the abstract submission process can be directed to Antoinette Spector, PT, DPT, PhD ([email protected]).

SPT and SPTA students are invited to apply for a mentorship opportunity during the 2026 APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference, taking place October 1–2 at The Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee.

Selected students will be matched with a mentor in an APTA Wisconsin leadership role, with the possibility of being paired with someone who practices in the student’s area of interest. Mentorship may take place over one or both days of the conference, depending on the student’s availability and interests.

Mentees and mentors will attend Fall Conference together, with opportunities to participate in educational sessions, lunch, the exhibit hall, the welcome reception, and possibly the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors meeting. The experience is intended to be flexible and tailored to the mentee/mentor pairing.

To apply, students should submit a concise essay of no more than 500 words answering the following questions:

• What is your recent history of involvement in your undergraduate and/or PT program, community, church, job, or other activities?
• What would you like to gain from this mentorship?

Essays are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 11. Selected mentees will be notified within one week of the deadline.

Please email essays as a Word document or PDF to APTA Wisconsin Academic Liaison Committee Co-Chairs Erik Gregersen and Abby Nowakowski.

Students should include the following with their essay: APTA ID, name, address, school and year in program, one- or two-day mentorship preference, and practice area of interest.

At a time when many individuals and organizations are feeling the impact of rising costs, the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors has voted to keep membership dues unchanged for 2027. 

This decision reflects the Board's commitment to supporting our members while continuing to provide the advocacy, education, networking, and professional resources that help strengthen the physical therapy profession across Wisconsin.

We recognize that every investment matters. By keeping dues stable, we're working to ensure membership remains accessible while continuing to deliver the value and opportunities you've come to expect from APTA Wisconsin. 

Thank you for being part of our community and for everything you do to advance the profession. We look forward to continuing to serve and support you throughout 2027.

Please join us in congratulating Paulina Pohlman, PTA, APTA Wisconsin's PTA Council Representative, on being recognized as an APTA Emerging Leader. Paulina will be featured alongside this year's Emerging Leaders in the November issue of APTA Magazine. 

Since joining the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors in 2022, Paulina has been a dedicated advocate for PTA engagement and leadership. As PTA Council Representative, she has helped shape discussions at both the chapter and national levels, contributed to House of Delegates conversations, supported the chapter's JEDI Committee as Board liaison, and has been committed to mentoring future PTA leaders in Wisconsin.

Paulina's thoughtful leadership, commitment to service, and passion for strengthening the profession make this recognition well deserved.

Congratulations, Paulina, on this outstanding achievement!

Ready to grow as a leader and connect with colleagues who share your passion for the profession? Applications are now open for the 2027 APTA Wisconsin Rising Leader Program.

Key Dates
Applications Deadline: October 1, 2026
Notifications: November 1, 2026
Program Kick-off: January 15, 2027

Don’t miss your chance to develop as a leader and make a lasting impact on the profession and the Association.

Learn More and Apply Now:

For our final Rising Leader Spotlight, we're introducing McKayla Figueroa, PT, DPT, ATC.

McKayla works at Aurora West Allis Medical Center's Women's Pavilion Center for Continence and Pelvic Floor Disorders, where she treats patients of all genders with pelvic health concerns. In addition to outpatient care, she provides inpatient physical therapy services to patients immediately postpartum before discharge and incorporates dry needling and musculoskeletal ultrasound into her practice.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Marquette University in 2017, followed by her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2019. Since then, she has continued to build her expertise, becoming a Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist in 2022 and earning her Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy in Obstetric Health in 2025.

Beyond patient care, McKayla serves as lead of the Journal Club Workgroup for the Aurora Pelvic Health Service Line and is a member of the APTA Wisconsin Membership Committee. In 2025, she was also recognized with the APTA Emerging Leader Award.

Rather than seeing the award as the finish line, McKayla saw it as an opportunity to continue growing: "I was honored to be recognized but acknowledged that I had room for improvement."

It was that desire to keep learning that led her to the inaugural APTA Wisconsin Rising Leader Program.

"I was interested in the APTA Wisconsin Rising Leader program in order to expand my leadership toolbox, sharpen my current skills and continue to serve my profession."

As a former APTA Wisconsin Southeast District Chair, she viewed the program as an opportunity to discover how she could become an even more effective contributor to the Association.

Mentorship has been one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

"As a Rising Leader, I was able to take the LAMP 101 course where I learned a lot about myself and my tendencies as a leader. I have been able to use this knowledge and make small changes so far in how I contribute in a group setting and how I communicate with people on any team that I am a part of."

For her capstone project, McKayla is partnering with the APTA Wisconsin Membership Committee to develop a membership toolkit that will provide members and mentors with resources and talking points to recruit and retain physical therapy professionals. The toolkit will explore the value of membership while supporting recruitment, renewal, and long-term engagement.

Thank you, McKayla, for your dedication to leadership, mentorship, member engagement, and the future of physical therapy in Wisconsin!

Up next in our Rising Leader Spotlight series, we’re introducing Julia Nameth, PT, DPT.

 

Julia earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2024 and completed post-graduate training through the UW Health neurological physical therapy residency program in 2025.

 

She currently works as an acute care therapist, with clinical interests in early mobilization, vestibular and concussion management, and spinal cord rehabilitation. During her nearly two years as a physical therapist, she has helped implement an early mobility program for her institution’s Neuro ICU, presented an educational session at CSM 2026, been published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal, and volunteered with organizations that promote mobility and wellness for individuals with neurological conditions.

 

Julia joined the inaugural cohort of the APTA Wisconsin Rising Leader Program after seeing firsthand how leadership can help drive the physical therapy profession forward.

 

Her residency experience also broadened her perspective on the profession’s impact beyond individual patient care:

 

“I was challenged during my residency to consider not only patient perspectives, but also the fundamental institutional and societal impacts of our profession,” Julia said. “I know involvement through our professional organization is crucial to advocate for the utmost top-of-scope practice, so engagement in this program seemed like an excellent way to become involved and develop leadership skills as a newer clinician.”

 

Through the Rising Leader Program, Julia has found value in learning from both her mentor and fellow cohort members.

 

“My experience with the APTA Wisconsin Rising Leader program has been excellent thus far,” she shared. “I have learned much from my assigned mentor, as well as my fellow cohort, regarding the qualities needed for effective and efficient leadership.”

 

For her Rising Leader Program project, Julia is assisting the Chronic Pain Special Interest Group in the development of curriculum.

 

Thank you, Julia, for your commitment to leadership, professional engagement, neurological physical therapy, and the future of the profession in Wisconsin!

 

Interested in joining a future cohort? Applications for the 2027 Rising Leader Program will open later this summer.

APTA Wisconsin's 2026 Fall Conference, Grow Without the Grind: Practice. Lead. Thrive., takes place October 1–2 at The Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee and is expected to welcome 250–300 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, students, educators, and practice leaders from across the state.

 

For sponsors and exhibitors, Fall Conference offers the opportunity to connect with an engaged audience over two days of education, networking, and professional development. Whether your goals are increasing visibility, recruiting future employees, building relationships, or sharing resources, you'll have opportunities to engage with attendees before, during, and after the conference. Please note: the Exhibit Hall will be open on Thursday, October 1 only, with dedicated exhibitor hours from 10–11 a.m. and 12:30–2 p.m.

 

Exhibitor packages are available in Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels and include benefits such as exhibit hall placement, website recognition, mobile app visibility, sponsored social media, and CE session sponsorship opportunities. All exhibitor packages include Thursday-only Exhibit Hall participation on October 1. Additional sponsorship options—including keynote presentations, meal functions, mobile app placements, email advertising, mailing lists, and more—allow you to customize your presence based on your organization's goals.

 

Several sponsorship opportunities are exclusive or available in limited quantities, making early reservations the best way to secure the opportunity that's right for your organization.

 

Explore sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities below:

 

Questions about which opportunity may be the best fit? Contact [email protected] and we’d be happy to help!

Next in our Rising Leaders Spotlight series, we're introducing Peter McManus, PT, DPT.

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Peter earned his undergraduate degree from Denison University, where he also met his fiancée, before going on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University. He currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Outside of work, much of his free time is currently dedicated to planning his wedding this November. When he is not focused on wedding preparations, Peter enjoys playing and watching soccer, completing jigsaw puzzles, exploring local parks, hiking, and spending time with his black cat, Midnight.

Since graduating from Northwestern in 2024, Peter has gained both clinical and leadership experience. He previously served as Director of Rehab and Physical Therapist at a local nursing home, where he led a multidisciplinary team in delivering patient-centered care. He currently works as a Physical Therapist at Central Wisconsin Center, specializing in treatment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Peter joined the Rising Leaders Program as a way to become more actively involved in APTA Wisconsin and continue building his leadership skills.

“Having settled into my professional career, I wanted to build on my foundation by becoming more actively involved in APTA Wisconsin,” Peter shared. “I believe the Rising Leaders Program will expand my professional network, develop my leadership skills, and equip me with the tools to contribute meaningfully to the Chapter.”

His leadership background includes serving as President of the IPTA Student SIG and as a Marquette Challenge Student Representative. Those experiences helped shape his interest in professional engagement, governance, and the role association involvement can play in advancing the profession.

“Engaging with professional organizations is incredibly rewarding because it advances my own development while allowing me to give back to the profession,” he noted.

For his capstone project, Peter is focusing on increasing membership and engagement among early-career professionals. His project addresses the trend that half of APTA Wisconsin student members do not continue their membership after graduation. To help support this transition, Peter’s work centers on building and shaping the newly developed Early Career Special Interest Group, or ECSIG.

“Through this SIG, we aim to provide a dedicated community, increased resources, and networking opportunities for recent graduates so they can find a professional home and maximize the value of their association membership,” Peter explained.

Thank you, Peter, for your commitment to leadership, early-career engagement, and the future of physical therapy in Wisconsin!
 

Interested in joining a future cohort? Applications for the 2027 Rising Leaders Program will open later this summer.