Ithaca College

Graduate students in our PT program participated in a national Student Advocacy Challenge sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).  This first-ever event involved points for certain legislative activities to advocate for the profession and patients who benefit from these services.

Last May, 39 of them went to Albany to participate in Lobby Day conducted by the New York Chapter of the APTA.  This included meetings with local legislators to advocate for two bills that impact the practice of PT.  Additional students wrote letters to their state legislators for similar purposes.  Students across the country who completed similar activities completed and submitted forms to verify their actions and receive points for their academic program.  Ithaca College was announced as the winner at the National Student Conclave on October 29th.  The photo includes several of our students who were in attendance to receive the award and Michael Matlack, Director of Grassroots and Political Affairs of the APTA. He is pictured in the center and ready for the Halloween festivities on that weekend.