Newsletters

Past Newsletters:

June 2009 Newsletter

April 2010 Newsletter

August 2010 Newsletter

Dear Utah APTA Members,

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you at the recent APTA House of Delegates. Please view the summary of House actions prepared by secretary Babette Sanders. Please feel free to contact us, should you have further questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Ed Gappmaier (ed.gappmaier[at]hsc.utah.edu)
Jeff Lau (laujp6[at]hsc.utah.edu)
Dave Carter (dave.carter[at]hsc.utah.edu)
Larry Fullmer (larry[at]rptutah.com)
Amy Black (amy.black[at]hsc.utah.edu)

October 2010

PTA Newsletter, October 2010

Requirements for APTA's Recognition of Advanced Proficiency for the Physical Therapist Assistant:

1. Current member of APTA.
2. Five (5) years of work experience that must include a minimum of 2,000 hours total and at least 500 hours in the past year in one of the following categories of advanced proficiency: Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Integumentary, Geriatric, or Pediatric physical therapy.
3. Completion of at least 60 contact hours (6 CEUs) of continuing education in physical therapy within the last five (5) years. Continuing education must include a minimum of:
   • 6 contact hours (.6 CEUs) per year for the five years prior to application
   • 75 % or forty-five (45) hours must be in the selected category of advanced proficiency
4. Consistent, above-average job performance within the PT/PTA team verified through a letter of reference from a supervising physical therapist.
5. Evidence of involvement in at least three activities that demonstrate the applicant's leadership abilities and contributions to the community. At least one of these activities must be related to physical therapy or health care.

Physical Therapist Assistant Advanced Proficiency Awardees

Heather George: Heather graduated from SLCC with her PTA degree in 1998. She completed her degree in Behavioral Science and Health in 2000. She has worked for IHC since 1999 with a clinical interest in neurological rehabilitation. Heather was awarded the Utah Physical Therapy Association PTA of the year in 2007. In 2008 Heather was recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association with the Physical Therapist Assistant Advanced Proficiency award in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation. Heather served as the first PTA on the Utah State Physical Therapy Licensing Board in 2009 she recently resigned from this position to attend PA school at the University of Utah.

Drew Wilcox: Drew began his career in 2001 after graduating from the Salt Lake Community College PTA Program. He has worked in acute care/ inpatient, orthopedics, home care and now in aquatics, where he oversees a busy orthopedic based, aquatic program at Dixie Regional Medical Center in Saint George. Drew has been a Credentialed Clinical Instructor since 2003. Drew has served for the past year as chair of the Program Advisory Committee for the Dixie State College PTA program. Beginning Spring of 2011 Drew will begin serving as adjunct faculty with the program, teaching multiple courses. In 2010 Drew was awarded the APTA Recognition of Advanced Proficiency in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.

Thank you Bob Hayden for your service on the Nominating Committee for the National PTA Caucus. We are grateful for your service to the profession and your outstanding representation of PTAs here in Utah.