President’s Message: Changes for APTA Pediatrics
This past month has been full of activities and actions for the APTA Pediatrics Board of Directors. Some updates are mentioned below and others will be forthcoming via email communication, News postings on our website, and at the APTA Pediatrics SIG Mixer, Business Meeting/Awards, and Social/Celebration (sponsored by Rifton) at the Combined Sections Meeting (Friday, February 16, 6:30-9:30 pm).
At the January 8 meeting of the Board of Directors, we reached a decision on our new association management company (AMPED) with the retirement of long-time Executive Director Cindy Sliwa. See the press release from AMPED here: Download file
We are excited about this new stage and what it will bring for the Academy. We will be recognizing Cindy for her many years of service and partnership as the Executive Director of APTA Pediatrics at CSM. Cindy will continue to serve as the Executive Director through the end of February during the transition.
We are in the final stages of preparing for CSM and look forward to seeing those of you attending the conference in Boston. The membership is invited to join the Friday evening activities which include a SIG mixer, business meeting, awards and recognitions, and a social. We will be kicking off our 50th Anniversary and are pleased to have some members who have been with us all those years! Look for more information in the coming weeks.
CSM will mark the start of the terms for 4 Board members: VP Priscilla Weaver (outgoing Lynn Jeffries), Secretary Robin Dole (outgoing Priscilla Weaver), Academic & Clinical Education Director Heather Lundeen (outgoing Jennifer Furze), and Research Director Alyssa Fiss (outgoing Jennifer Christy). In addition, Jan McElroy has resigned as Director of Practice - we thank Jan for her many years of service. The Board of Directors operated according to our bylaws, which require that any vacant Board positions be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors for the remainder of the term; this is consistent with how APTA fills vacated Board positions during a term. We are pleased to announce that Amy Barr will fill the remaining year of Jan’s term as Director of Practice. Amy has previously served as the Chair of the School-based SIG and has been involved in other practice-based activities, development of practice resources, and Academy leadership. We appreciate Amy’s willingness to step into this Board position!
Plans are underway for the 2024 Pediatric Annual Conference in Providence, RI - proposals for AC 2024 are being accepted through February 23. We’re excited to see you all at Annual Conference and at CSM in just a few weeks! Wishing you all the best as we move forward on behalf of pediatric physical therapy services now and into the future.
Mary Jane Rapport
President, APTA Pediatrics