Skip to main content

The APTA Association Leadership Scholars Program, an innovative project that aims to develop future leaders of the association, announced this year's cohort of members selected to participate in a curriculum designed to hone their skills. The 25 PTs, PTAs, and students come from 18 states and represent diverse backgrounds, practice settings, and experience levels.

This year's scholars are:

  • Taylor Adkins, PT, DPT (Georgia).
  • Fretche Blair, PT, DPT (Colorado).
  • Jasmine Blocker, PT, DPT (Hawaii).
  • Alyssa Bush, PT, DPT (North Carolina).
  • Lindsay Clark, PT, DPT (California).
  • Kaitlyn Cutler, PTA (North Carolina).
  • Allison Daly, PT, DPT (Louisiana).
  • Noah DeHart, PT, DPT (Alabama).
  • Ruby Dixon, PT, DPT (North Carolina).
  • Jon Duellman, PT, DPT (Minnesota).
  • Kelley Farley, PT, DPT (Wyoming).
  • Ebony Jackson Clark, PT, DPT (Maryland).
  • Riley Luetkenhaus, SPT (North Carolina).
  • Tyler Luke, PT, DPT (Colorado).
  • Maria Elena Luna Espinoza, SPT (Texas).
  • Carolina Marrero Rodriguez, PT, DPT (Pennsylvania).
  • Silke Mildenberger, PTA (Arizona).
  • Kassidy Pehrson, PTA (Alaska).
  • Samantha Pietrzak, PT, DPT (Illinois).
  • Glen Saldanha, PT, DPT (North Carolina).
  • Shannon Scanlan, PT, DPT (Pennsylvania).
  • Rachel Seals, PT, DPT (Georgia).
  • Laura Siviter, PT, DPT, BS (Florida).
  • Noah Watson, PT, DPT (Missouri).
  • Christopher Wilson, PT, DPT (South Carolina).

During the one-year program scholars participate in a curriculum that covers association leadership and management topics, with activities that can include group projects and engagement opportunities. Throughout the program, scholars are connected with experienced leader-mentors who enrich their understanding of the profession and the association's role. This year's mentors are Amber Gadow, PT, DPT; Nancy Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA; Karen McCulloch, PT, BSPT, MS, FAPTA; Lori Pearlmutter, PT, MPH; and Kristen Vick, PT, DPT.

Now in its fourth year as the APTA Association Leadership Scholars Program, the initiative has its origins in the APTA Centennial Scholars program offered in 2021 in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the association. That program earned an American Society of Association Executives Gold Circle award for its excellence in member engagement. Many of the elements of the Centennial Scholars program have been adopted in the current curriculum.


You Might Also Like...

News

CMS Launches Voluntary Prior Authorization Model for Traditional Medicare

Jul 22, 2025

Following discussions with major health insurers on their commitments, including a pledge to reduce the number of services requiring prior authorization,

News

New APTA Report Details Performance Outcomes for PT Entrance Into Practice

Jul 15, 2025

Outcomes in the Competency-Based Education in Physical Therapy report informed by iterative, national consensus-based process.

News

CMS Conference Highlights Avenues for Physical Therapy in Advancing Quality Care

Jul 14, 2025

APTA underscores the need to transform health care toward quality and value-based care with a focus on function.