This year’s conference will be near and dear to me, as it is my last as president of this esteemed association. Over the past six years, I have watched American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) strive to provide our members with all the tools necessary to let the profession grow and achieve all components of our vision 2020 statement.

By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other healthcare professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations and disabilities related to movement, function and health.

Approximately 3,000 physical therapy professionals are expected to attend PT 2006, to be held June 21-24 in Orlando, Fla. The conference will make a high impact with 96 sessions, 21 different topic areas, the Concentrated Education Series (CES) certificate program, more than 350 exhibit booths, and the featuring of impressive speakers with insightful messages and research findings. PT 2006 is an event not to miss for the physical therapy profession.

Speakers

Keynote
Award-winning health and nutrition author Jane Brody is the New York Times’ personal health columnist and this year’s keynote speaker. The author of many popular books and an in-demand speaker and commentator, her lectures are frequently aired on radio and television shows. Brody will discuss, “Physical Therapy: Restoring Body and Soul.”

McMillan Lecture
Presenting what is known as “APTA’s highest honor,” Stanley Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FAAOMPT, president of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, will give this year’s McMillan Lecture, “In the Patient’s Best Interest.” His many accomplishments include publishing more than 40 articles in physical therapy, medical and osteopathic journals, a book and a series of manuals on the topic of manual therapy.

Maley Lecture
This honor is presented by an APTA member who has made a significant contribution to the profession in the area of clinical practice. This year’s lecture, “The Patient-Centered Practice,” will be given by Carolee J. Winstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA. She is a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy, and director at the Motor Behavior and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. 
 
Honoring Those Who Served the Profession

This past year, the physical therapy profession lost two of its most dedicated advocates, Florence P. Kendall, PT, FAPTA, and Jules Rothstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA.

Florence P. Kendall, PT, FAPTA
The Annual Foundation for Physical Therapy Annual Dinner Dance will be held in honor of Florence P. Kendall, PT, FAPTA, one of APTA’s most revered leaders and supporters of research. Leaving a lasting mark on the profession, she is known for her major role in drafting the original bill legally establishing the practice of physical therapy in Maryland, and as a nationally acclaimed lecturer and author.

Jules Rothstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA
To honor the first ever editor in chief Emeritus of Physical Therapy, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of APTA, APTA is launching the first annual Rothstein Debate. The annual session will explore current controversies in rehabilitation. This year’s topic, “Pay for Performance-Opportunity or Threat?” will feature speakers Mai Pham, MD, MPH, of the Center for Studying Health System Change, and Kecia Erickson, PT, ACT, of the CAN Group.

Programming Highlights
The following programs are a small sample of the 96 different sessions offered during PT 2006:

Emerging Issues in Medicare Reimbursement and Rules
Medicare is currently implementing some of the most sweeping changes in 30 years, including significant contractor manual policy changes for outpatient physical therapy. Regulators are increasing their efforts to crack down on fraud and abuse and to ensure compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Attendees will learn how to safeguard their practice now and in the future.

Evidence-Based Practice in Your Clinic
This course, part of the advanced clinical practice series (ACP), will provide time-efficient tools for physical therapists to use to help patients, educate students and colleagues and influence third-party payers. They will learn to incorporate essential elements of evidenced-based practice by asking the right clinical questions in order to perform powerful online searches effectively and use cutting-edge, evidence-based practice principles.

Get Moving America: Form a Physical Activity Action Council
The “Health People 2010 Objectives and Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General” calls for increases in the physical activity levels of school-age children. This session will focus on the physical therapist leadership role in forming partnerships with policymakers and stakeholders to provide more time for physical activity for school-age children.

Registration for PT 2006 is only available on-site at the APTA registration desk, located in the Orange County Convention Center. Visit www.apta.org for more information.

Ben F. Massey Jr, PT, MA, is the president of APTA. Questions or comments can be directed to editorial@TherapyTimes.com.