Skip to main content

In delivering the 31st Mary McMillan Lecture in 2000, Ruth Purtilo, PT, physical therapist and ethicist, urged the profession to develop a "period of societal identity" and become full partners with society. To do so would fulfill what she called the profession's promise "to show care and accept responsibility for the well-being of all members [of society] who can benefit from our services" (Purtilo, 2000).

Log in or create a free account to keep reading.


Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.


You Might Also Like...

News

FTC Drops Legal Appeals, Abandons Noncompete Rule

Oct 8, 2025

In August 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas permanently barred the Federal Trade Commission's ban on employee noncompetes.

News

Now Available: APTA Practice Advisory on Primary Care Physical Therapy

Oct 8, 2025

Primary care physical therapy highlights the role of physical therapists as integral members of a patient's primary care team. It's important for PTs and

News

APTA Flash Action Strategy 2025: 8,500 Falls Prevention Letters Sent to Congress

Oct 6, 2025

Thousands of PT and PTA students participated in APTA’s Flash Action Strategy,  Sept. 17-18, by creating social media posts and videos promoting falls