APTA AND THE FOUNDATION FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
ANNOUNCE NEW FOUNDATION BYLAWS
New Structure Clarifies Relationship with
APTA
and Streamlines Foundation Leadership
ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 27, 2009 — The Foundation
for Physical Therapy (the Foundation) and the American Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) are pleased to announce a change in the governance
structure for the Foundation. The new Foundation bylaws, taking effect
January 1, 2010, clarify the relationship with APTA. With government
regulators placing greater scrutiny on nonprofit organizations and
others, this change will insure compliance with new laws, with a
heightened focus on governance issues and transparency. All of this will
enable the Foundation to continue its mission of funding the most
promising researchers dedicated to the development of evidence-based
practice and enhancing the quality of physical therapy services.
The Foundation and APTA worked together to develop the new bylaws,
which were approved by APTA's Board of Directors and the Foundation
Board of Trustees during PT 2009: APTA's Annual Conference &
Exhibition in June. As part of the transition, the process will include
the establishment of standing committees and a new Board of Trustee
election "cycle." The Board of Trustees will manage the affairs of the
Foundation and will include one non-voting member to be selected by the
APTA Board of Directors from among its members. The collaborative
relationship between the Foundation and APTA will continue under the new
bylaws.
Foundation Chair and President of the Board of Trustees William G.
Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, said, "We are extremely grateful
for the support that APTA has provided over the years and look forward
to continuing our partnership in the years to come. The changes to the
bylaws provide greater guidance to enhance our partnership, allowing us
to support the most promising research in the physical therapy
profession, while operating the Foundation in a more transparent and
efficient manner." He added, "As always, we remain accountable to our
donors and committed to the integrity of the research we fund."
According to APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD, "The Foundation
has served the physical therapy profession well for years and APTA has
enjoyed a strong working relationship with this organization. It is a
fact of life in today's nonprofit environment that we must review and
refresh our methods of governance. Under these new bylaws, we anticipate
working even more closely together to help the profession reach its goal
of evidence-based practice by the year 2020."
The Foundation for Physical Therapy was established in 1979 as a
national, independent, non-profit corporation dedicated to the ultimate
goal of improving the quality and delivery of patient care. The
Foundation accomplishes this goal by providing support for
scientifically based and clinically relevant physical therapy
research.
Contributions to the Foundation for Physical Therapy are
tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations and can be made via
check (payable to "Foundation for Physical Therapy") or credit card at
www.FoundationforPhysicalTherapy.org.
Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care
professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore
mobility -- in many cases without expensive surgery or the side effects
of prescription medications. APTA represents more than 72,000 physical
therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical
therapy nationwide. Its purpose is to improve the health and quality of
life of individuals through the advancement of physical therapist
practice, education, and research. In most states, patients can make an
appointment directly with a physical therapist, without a physician
referral. Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat and
find a physical therapist in your area at www.moveforwardpt.com.
[Last updated: 08/27/09 | Contact: public-relations@apta.org]
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