Established in 2016, the Education Leadership Partnership includes representatives from APTA, the Academy of Physical Therapy Education, and the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy. The partnership is intended to foster with a more global perspective than that of any one organization represented or any other stakeholder.
The voting members of the partnership are committed to pursuing the interests of the whole profession as well as those of the organization presidents that appointed them. Nonvoting members likewise are committed to pursuing the interests of the whole profession as well as those of the organization with which they are associated. Nonvoting stakeholders include representatives from acute care, health systems, private practice, PTAs, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. (Scroll down for the full list of names on the Leadership Committee.)
Purpose Statement
"Partnering to drive excellence in physical therapy education."
Work of the Partnership
The primary function of the partnership over the past two years has been to gather data that will inform the development of a long-term strategic plan for the future of professional and postprofessional physical therapy education. To date the work of the partnership has focused on recommendations from the Excellence in Physical Therapist Education Task Force and Best Practices for Physical Therapist Clinical Education Task Force, with an additional focus on creation of ideas and solutions to enhance physical therapy education, specifically in these areas:
- Student debt.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Academic-clinical partnerships strategies.
- Education research strategies.
- Essential resources strategies.
- Outcomes strategies.
The partners hold monthly conference calls in addition to face-to-face meetings at the Combined Sections Meeting, NEXT, and the Education Leadership Conference.
Student Debt Task Force Report
The Student Debt Task Force was established to examine the issues influencing student debt, to include ratio of debt to income, financial aid, cost of education, reimbursement for clinical services, curricular issues, and impact of student debt on physical therapy programs; and to make recommendations to the partnership regarding potential actions to address these issues. A report from the task force with its recommendations was released in April.
Student Debt Task Force Final Recommendations Report (.pdf)
2020 Workshops
CANCELED: Education Research: How To Begin Your Journey ("mini-GAMER")
October 15, 2020 (Education Leadership Conference preconference course)
CANCELED: GAMER: Grantsmanship & Mentorship in Education Research for Physical Therapy
29 October, 2020-1 November, 2020
Annual Reports
Related Information
Leadership Committee
Voting members
From APTA:
Susan Appling, PT, DPT, PhD (2019-2020 Chair)
Anthony DiFilippo, PT, DPT, MEd
Bob Rowe, PT, DPT, DMT, MHS
From ACAPT:
Zoher Kapasi, PT, MSPT, MBA, PhD
Nancy Reese, PT, PhD, MHSA (2020-2021 Chair)
John Buford, PT, PhD
From APTE:
Laurie Kontney, PT, DPT, MS
Carol Beckel, PT, PhD
Chalee Engelhard, PT, EdD, MBA
Nonvoting members
From ABPTRFE:
Noel Goodstadt, PT, DPT
Kendra Harrington, PT, DPT
From ABPTS:
Marie Johanson, PT, PhD
Derek Stepp
From CAPTE:
Candy Bahner, PT, DPT, MS
Pam Ritzline, PT, EdD
Clinical Community Representatives:
Christopher Meachem, PT, DPT (Veterans Affairs)
Traci Norris, PT, DPT (AACPT)
Susan Ropp, PT, DPT (Health Systems Council)
Leigh Langerwerf, PT, DPT (PPS)
From FSBPT:
Nancy Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD
Richard Woolf, PT, DPT
From PTA Education:
Katherine Giffin, PTA, MEd
Staff Contacts
ACAPT: Sandy Brooks, Executive Director
APTA: Steven Chesbro, PT, DPT, EdD, Vice President for Education
APTE: Terry Dougherty, Executive Director