Alvernia DPT Pennsylvania Advocacy Day

Organize training sessions for meetings with Pennsylvania officials

 

Alvernia Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students led education sessions outlining issues related to the profession to over 100 practicing physical therapists, students and professional advocates before holding meetings with elected officials during the Pennsylvania Therapy Association Advocacy Day in Harrisburg.

 

“Our students did an excellent job representing Alvernia University and the DPT Program,” said Robin Zappin, Alvernia assistant professor of physical therapy. “I believe the most important lesson learned today was the importance of serving our patients and clients through political advocacy.”

 

Among the talking points included issues on current legislation items including House Bill 533 or the Health Care Practitioner Credentialing Act as well as House Bill 862 and Senate Bill 640, the Physical Therapy Compact Legislation.

 

“I think this day was very beneficial to my understanding of the importance of what it means to advocate for my profession,” said Alvernia DPT student Brielyn Hackett.

 

The Alvernia DPT program is a clinical postgraduate doctoral degree that is three years in length and deemed to be the preferred credential for optimally preparing graduates to make significant contributions to the profession of physical therapy.

 

“What I found most surprising and rewarding was the number of people in the capital whose eyes lit up when we said we were student physical therapists,” said Alvernia DPT student Gavin High. “They shared their stories and explained how physical therapy assisted them in getting back to the capital, which was rewarding and fulfilling knowing that what we do makes a difference."

 

The Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, a chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, represents, advocates and advances the practice of physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

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