President's Note

Taking Stock While Looking Ahead

As we close out 2024, I'm filled with a sense of gratitude for the work we've accomplished together. Our collective efforts have made a significant impact on our profession, our patients, and our communities.

This year brought events, activities, and programs that helped strengthen our community. The APTA Combined Sections Meeting in February brought together more than 16,000 PTs, PTAs, and students from our profession. They built new connections, learned about the latest research, products, and innovations, and were inspired by the profession's top thought leaders and educators.

We also saw incredible enthusiasm from our members to share the findings of APTA's landmark report, "The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States." To date, more than 2,000 members have signed the Value Pledge, committing to raise awareness of physical therapy's value within the health care system by familiarizing themselves with the report's findings, sharing resources related to the report, and advocating for coverage and payment of physical therapist services.

During a turbulent time, our advocacy team fought hard to affect change. APTA's health policy team leveraged our award-winning comment letter tool to help drive a record number of comments on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed payment cuts. Our state chapters and state affairs team also contributed to a banner year in 2024, with the removal of severe restrictions on direct access to physical therapist services in all 50 states — for the first time in history. Individual state wins numbered 40 this year, an astounding increase from 19 in 2023.

Looking at all we've accomplished in the past year has made me incredibly excited about what's on the horizon for our profession. This month, the feature stories all touch on issues that could have a big impact on physical therapy in the not-too-distant future.

APTA Editorial Advisory Group Member Joey Bikkers, PT, DPT, looks at how PTs can practice at the very top of their licenses in "Expanded Scope; Expanded Responsibility." Bikkers spoke with those in the field who have advocated for PTs in a primary care role, learning lessons from our colleagues in the military and other federal employers.

Another forward-looking issue? Virtual reality. In "Real Progress: Virtual Reality in Physical Therapy," author Chris Hayhurst delves into the different ways that PTs and PTAs can use VR applications in their treatment.

And even though we're the American Physical Therapy Association, we are part of a global community. The APTA House of Delegates recently adopted a motion to support equitable and inclusive licensure processes for internationally educated physical therapists. A trio of APTA Magazine editorial advisory group members, Cristina O'Brien Essola, PT, DPT, MPH, Paras Goel, PT, DPT, MBA, MEd, and Kristin Engelhard, PT, DPT, write about some of the challenges that internationally educated PTs face when trying to practice in the United States, as well as the benefits of having the perspectives and expertise of those educated elsewhere in the world. See their article, "Bridging Borders: The Journey to U.S. Physical Therapist Practice."

As we look ahead to the new year, we have a strong foundation to build upon. I have been honored to be APTA's president for the past three years. I am confident that our new leaders will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Thank you for your support and dedication.

Sincerely,

Roger Herr, PT, MPA