APTA has once again received national honors from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)—this year, for APTA resources on financial literacy and student debt management, as well as for a collaborative program that helps aspiring physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) education program directors hone their leadership skills.
ASAE announced that APTA was the recipient of 2 "Power of A" awards: a Gold Award for the association's Financial Solutions Center, and a Silver Award for its Education Leadership Institute (ELI) fellowship program. ASAE's Power of A (the A stands for "association") Awards are the industry's highest honor, recognizing the association community's valuable contributions on local, national, and global levels.
Launched in 2017, the APTA Financial Solutions Center is a free online financial resource that includes a customizable financial education platform featuring learning on topics such as student loan debt, repayment options, loan consolidation, budgeting, and mortgages. The center also features a student loan refinancing provider that offers eligible members a discounted interest rate. In addition, the center links to certified financial planner information, scholarships, awards, grants, and the APTA Career Center, among other resources. APTA has identified student debt burden and career earning potential as challenges to the long-term sustainability of the physical therapy profession, a key element in the association's strategic plan.
APTA's ELI program is a yearlong educational experience that includes online learning, direct mentorship, and 3 in-person meetings focused on helping PT and PTA program directors connect with resources and develop the skills they need to be innovative, influential and visionary leaders. Partners who help APTA promote and support the ELI Fellowship include the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Therapy Education, and PTA Educators Special Interest Group.
"We're proud to be recognized by ASAE this year, but it's even more gratifying to know that members see the value in these programs," said APTA CEO Justin Moore, PT, DPT. "Just like the awards we've received in previous years, this year's honors are a testimony to our members' level of engagement with their association, and their investment in building a professional community."
The most recent ASAE awards marks the third consecutive year APTA has been recognized by the association industry group. In 2018, APTA, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association received a joint Power of A Gold Award for their collaborative effort to end the hard payment cap on therapy services under Medicare, and APTA's membership renewal efforts earned the association a Gold Circle award for an outstanding member retention campaign. In 2017, ASAE recognized APTA's public service announcement video for its #ChoosePT campaign as the winner for best video of the year, as well as the entire #ChoosePT campaign as one of the nation's top public awareness campaigns.