The 2019 APTA House of Delegates (HOD), attended by Heather England (chief delegate), Mary Dockter (delegate), Holly Schilling (PTA Caucus rep), and Cindy Flom-Meland (ND Chapter President), was once again a jam-packed, productive, and informative few days. The HOD was held in Chicago June 9-12 just prior to the NEXT conference. During this time, the 402 member delegation addressed 70 motions (many were placed on a consent calendar and thus had minimal discussion during session) as well as elected new members to the APTA Board of Directors. The House members continue to experience an increased workload as a Special Committee, appointed by the House, works through a review of past APTA and House Documents to ensure up to date language and continued utility. All motions are then presented to the HOD to either be amended with new language or rescinded if no longer needed.

APTA Board of Directors Election Results:

Secretary:                                Kip Schick, PT, DPT, MBA

Vice Speaker:                          Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD

Directors:                                Deirdre "Dee" Daley, PT, DPT, MSHPE

 Heather Jennings, PT, DPT, NCS

 Carmen Cooper-Oguz, PT, DPT, MBA

Nominating Committee:      Carole "Carrie" Cunningham, PT, OCS

     V. Kai Kennedy, PT, DPT

Selected Motion Results:

1. Clarification of supervision for Student Physical Therapists and Student Physical Therapist Assistants
2. Clarification of the role of aides in physical therapist practice
3. Amendment to Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy
4. Adoption and a Charge for the APTA to Commit to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical, Academic, and Research Settings
5. Amendment to the Guiding Principles to the Guiding Principles to Achieve the Vision with the addition of the movement system definition
6. Amendment to the Guidelines for Clinical Education Sites to focus on standards of excellence
7. Adoption of a position statement on the Public Health Crisis of Firearms-Related Injuries and Deaths in the US
8. Adoption of a Support Statement for Participation in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommended Vaccination Schedules as well as a charge to promote participation in recommended vaccination schedules
9. Adoption of a position statement for Naloxone Availability where Physical Therapist services are provided
10. Adoption of a Position Statement on Research
11. A Charge to explore PTs eligibility to participate in Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visits and Initial Preventative Physical Examination
12. Adoption of Wound Management Physical Therapy as an area of specialization
13. A Charge to provide consolidated online resources to assist members who serve patients, clients, and consumers with limited English proficiency.
14. A Charge to optimize accessibility of consumer-based communications provided by the APTA.

If you have any questions or comments; or would like to suggest a proposed motion for 2020, please don’t hesitate to contact your House of Delegates Representatives.