APTA Virginia - formerly VPTA, 5810 Kingstowne Center Drive Ste 120/779, Alexandria, VA (2025)

12/23/2025

Happy Holiday Season!

12/21/2025

Lobby Day 2026 is quickly approaching!
Think you might be interested?

Join us for an Interest Meeting on 1/14/26 at 8pm EST

Learn about how to join your fellow PT professionals in advocating for the profession at Lobby Day on January 21, 2026! Lobby Day offers a unique chance for PTs, PTAs, and students to engage with legislators at the General Assembly, discussing key issues and showcasing our passion for the profession. This event provides a platform for us to come together as a strong collective, presenting our legislative priorities and advocating for the advancement of physical therapy. Let's make our voices heard and make a difference for our profession!

Learn:
-What is Lobby Day?
-Why is it important for members to participate in Lobby Day?
-Instructions on how to sign up for Lobby Day.
-Overview of PAC and how member contributions support advocacy efforts.

We plan to assemble small groups of constituents to visit their legislators. Students will be paired with a PT or PTA from their home district. "Who's My Legislator" link. https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/.

Register for the Interest Meeting here: https://www.pathlms.com/apta-virginia/courses/113613/webinars/87624
Register for Lobby Day here: https://www.pathlms.com/apta-virginia/courses/113613/in_person_events/23218

12/20/2025

Members! Check your email for the latest edition of The Virginian Newsletter! Here's a snippet from The President's Message:
"...as I reflect on 2025 and my first year as President, I’ve realized October ended up being a highlight, mainly because of Fall Summit. I was genuinely looking forward to seeing so many of you in our education sessions, celebrating our award recipients, competing with you at PAC Trivia, catching up with friends, and making new connections across our physical therapy community. Fall Summit didn’t disappoint! There is much to look forward to in 2026…" -President Emily Hawkins

12/20/2025

🗣 Apply to be a speaker for APTA Virginia’s educational events for Fall Summit.

📄Application submissions for education sessions must contain:
-Title (15 words maximum)
-Session description (250 words maximum)
-Session learning objectives (3-4)
-Minimum of 5 primary source references within the last 10 years. References must be the most current evidence-based citations available
-Timed outline of content that aligns with learning objectives
-Speaker info, including name, degrees/credentials, institution, city/state, & speaking experience for each speaker
-Biographical information for each speaker
-Keywords to help potential attendees search for the course topic
-Teaching and learning assessment methods
-Recommended content level (fundamental, intermediate, advanced)
-Conflict of interest disclosure

📌 Criteria:
-Proposals should reflect cultural and/or ethical components related to clinical practice and research, as related to session content
-Proposals should be devoid of any promotional content
-Proposals should be for 1.5-hour educational sessions only. If you have content exceeding 1.5 hours for an educational session, you may submit two (2) 1.5-hour sessions, designating in the title that it is part 1 or part 2
-Proposals will be based on foundation in evidence, clarity of proposal, probable interest to participants, fiscal feasibility, and space and time constraints

📝 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBPpt5LgXV8gE_0gn-Pxwf5DQhjUTAg9gyYPFk_0FMeC_t2A/viewform

12/19/2025

Mark your calendars! 📆

This presentation provides physical therapists with the knowledge and practical clinical tools necessary to understand, ID, & manage Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in the pediatric population.

FND is a common (& often debilitating condition) that can present with diverse symptoms, making it a critical, yet frequently misunderstood, differential diagnosis in pediatric physical therapy practice.

This presentation will equip therapists to be members of the multidisciplinary team by focusing on diagnosis of inclusion rather than exclusion. Understanding FND and implementing prompt treatment and is key to minimizing iatrogenic harm.

Register here: https://www.pathlms.com/apta-virginia/courses/119433

12/18/2025

Looking for a meaningful way to connect with colleagues, grow your leadership skills, and make an impact on the profession? We’re inviting members at every stage of their career to join one of our core volunteer opportunities.

Here’s where we need you:
-Membership Committee: focuses on welcoming new members, recognizing current members, and finding creative ways to connect and engage across career stages.
-Education Committee: leads planning for the Fall Summit, and volunteers help brainstorm session topics, identify speakers, and ensure our programming meets the needs of today’s clinicians and students.
-Communications Committee: supports APTA Virginia’s digital presence and member outreach. We’re especially looking for volunteers to contribute to specific platforms—LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook.
-Community Engagement Coordinator: works directly with APTA Virginia’s regional directors to ID and support engagement opportunities in different parts of the state.

Ready to raise your hand? Submit your interest by December 19 using this short form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1GJ9zoMrl1yPcSVvoO8vOo421W1HfEFOiEAcUMPFRh4_LTA/viewform

12/17/2025

Book Review by Connie Johnson, PT, DSCPT: Summer 2025
Book Title: The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging.
Author: Julia Hotz

"Instead of just treating our symptoms of sickness, social prescriptions reconnect us to our sources of wellness. And instead of just addressing 'What's the matter with you?', social prescriptions address 'What matters to you?' ~Julia Hotz

Review: this book was recommended from APTA Connecticut DEI group book club, and it was an excellent choice. Easy to read, story telling interspersed with nice hooks to keep you engaged, I really enjoyed reading this one. As movement experts, its a book I would recommend to all physical therapists.
The primary idea here is society needs to focus on "social prescription" for health, a term I haven't been familiar with. And yet, so much evidence is pointing us in the direction of participation... but participation without people, what is that, BORING!
At the end of the day, no matter what your motor impairment is, it is our social connections that give us happiness, joy, and a sense of belonging. Vignettes describing dementia care focused on continuing favorite routines (e.g. if you are a lifelong teacher, couldn't someone give you a stack of papers to 'grade' everyday if that brought you connection to others?), participation in cold water swimming group as a way to stave off depression meds but brings you unexpected social connection?
In order for us to be even more effective, our movement prescriptions need to have social prescription embedded, so we can optimize health for our patients. I highly recommend this book to ground you in these ideas.

"If you asked me if I'd rather spend my days chasing beasts and foraging berries or spend them in my air-conditioned apartment with Netflix queued up and Doordash delivery a button away, don't have to tell you which I'd pick. But we know it's not our screens, our salaries, and our stuff that we'll be thinking about on our deathbeds. We know that what really matters in the grand scheme of life are the connections in our environments: the joy and meaning we experience, and the relationships we build."

12/16/2025

APTA Virginia is a member-driven association representing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy statewide.

Our members are engaged, educated, and philanthropic professionals in Virginia; many of which are owners/managers in their practice setting. But we interact with more than just our members. Every month consumers, non-members, and prospective students visit our sites looking for answers to a variety of questions. Our website, newsletters, and social media accounts are reaching more people than ever before, and we want to share that success with you.

APTA VA is offering partner packages to meet the needs of various components of the physical therapy puzzle. There are four different types of partnerships:
Physical Therapy Partners, Business Partners, Continuing Education Partners, and University and College Partners.
Each is designed to foster a strong relationship between you, APTA VA, and physical therapy professionals.

Take your time in reviewing each opportunity to decide how we can best partner to build a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society.

Questions? Reach out to Naphea Adarne at 866-364-VPTA (8782)
or vpta@vpta.org with any questions.

Not seeing a partner option that meets your unique needs and goals? Let us know!
We are open to exploring creative ways to collaborate to optimize the partner experience – for you and our members. Together we’ll build the appropriate package to effectively deliver your marketing message.

12/13/2025

As I write this it's been a year since my husband, Bill, and I closed/repurposed/sold Appalachian Physical Therapy (APT), our practice of nearly 40 years.

There are several reasons I wanted to write this to you all at this time, and here they are in no particular order:
APTA Virginia has been a big part of our lives/careers since we came to Virginia in 1987. These years have been full of meetings, conferences, classes, legislative days, retreats, hard work, hugs, laughs, wine, beers, tears, & friendships. We have known and worked with many of you for years, and cherish those memories. A lot of new folks that we don't know have gotten involved which is great, and we appreciate all of you.
A lot has changed over the years, and it's getting harder to make it work – especially in private practice. Payment from insurance companies is not equitable, especially for private practices who are hit with a double whammy of being paid at a lower tier and having to pay taxes. If you like working in a private practice, be sure to support and thank your employer. If you are thinking about opening your own practice we would encourage you to look hard at alternative practice models. I never imagined I would be practicing as I am now but I believe it's the lowest risk model.

I'd like to close with a quote I read in Guideposts magazine. It's from Myron Rolle, who, after getting cut from the NFL, achieved his other childhood dream of becoming – get this: a neurosurgeon! Here's what he said: "What God has for you is going to be for you. Perfect it. Hone it. Be a master of it. Love it. Do it well. Impact people when you do it, and help bring somebody up with you."

This sums up my desire keep going and giving my very best to every person, every session. I believe it's my calling in life, as evidenced by the energy and joy I derive from working with patients. Whatever your calling and pathway to accomplish it looks like for you, Bill and I wish you the best and encourage you to be brave and open to change: it's not easy but can take you to a better place. God bless each of you!
Colleen & Bill Whiteford

*Read the full article in the most recent edition of The Virginian

12/12/2025

A quick social media search confirms that medical gaslighting is a hot topic of discussion.

Although individual experiences differ, the overall impact of medical gaslighting includes downplaying or dismissing a patient’s reported symptoms. People with chronic pain often describe gaslighting as being told that their pain is exaggerated or imagined, or having the provider attribute their pain to a non-physical cause, such as anxiety or depression. Within physical therapy, where trust between the patient and provider is essential to optimal treatment outcomes, patients’ experiences with gaslighting threaten therapeutic alliance.

Medical mistrust as a result of gaslighting creates barriers to preventive screening, behavioral change, treatment adherence, and maintaining follow-up appointments. Additionally, failure to acknowledge and address patients’ perceptions can cause patients to doubt their own experiences and instincts, thereby damaging their capacity for self-care.

In fact, some researchers have stated that gaslighting is a form of medical trauma that can result in physiological disruptions to sleep and autonomic regulation, potentially perpetuating systemic inflammation and somatic disturbance, including pain. Whether unintentional or deliberate, when providers lack the initiative to learn more about our patients’ perspectives, we miss opportunities for differential diagnosis, tailored treatment planning and implementation, and the ability to provide useful information and assistance.

In order to gain further insight, students and faculty at Emory & Henry University’s Physical and Occupational Therapy Programs are conducting a survey on medical mistrust among people with chronic pain. To participate or share the survey with others: https://ehc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3WTZ9702swqxYB8

12/12/2025

Lobby Day 2026 is quickly approaching! ⏩

Join your fellow PT professionals in advocating for the profession on Lobby Day on January 21, 2026! Lobby Day offers a unique chance for PTs, PTAs, and students to engage with legislators at the General Assembly, discussing key issues and showcasing our passion for the profession. This event provides a platform for us to come together as a strong collective, presenting our legislative priorities and advocating for the advancement of physical therapy. Let's make our voices heard and make a difference for our profession!

Interest Meeting Agenda:
-Welcome
-What is Lobby Day
-Why it’s important for members to participate in Lobby Day
-Instructions on how to sign up for Lobby Day
-Overview of PAC and how member contributions support advocacy efforts

We plan to assemble small groups of constituents to visit their legislators. Students will be paired with a PT or PTA from their home district. "Who's My Legislator" link. https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/.

12/11/2025

Review by Connie Johnson, PT, DSCPT: Summer 2025
Book Title: The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever
Author: Michael Bungay Stainer

Review: This book came to me by way of CSM... I have this habit of finding really cool sessions at the end of the conference, despite being tired, and on information overload. I was intrigued by this topic, given the degree of coaching we do nowadays, this is a really crucial skill for us! The coaching rules are simple: no fixing, no advice, help people come to their own solutions by setting the stage and the environment. Sounds precisely like what we do in therapy!
The speakers had attended a course on this book and we had an actual trainer at the session where we practiced coaching each other. You will learn to ask powerful questions that focus on the person, not the problem, stimulate new awareness and create a feeling of possibility. You could learn the technique from the book which why I am sharing it with you!

APTA Virginia - formerly VPTA

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