President's Note

Connecting to Our Community

July is a month many of us associate with slowing down and giving ourselves a chance to reset and reenergize, whether by way of taking a vacation or simply relaxing at home and spending time with family and friends. At APTA, July offers an additional opportunity to reset and reenergize, because that's when we host our annual APTA Leadership Congress.

The event brings together the association's leaders, including our APTA House of Delegates, for three days of work, connection, and generative discussion. This gathering is an amazing experience if for no other reason than the way it puts our association's diverse and engaged leadership on full display. It is truly inspiring to see the wealth and range of talent present in the people who are dedicated to moving this association and the profession forward.

The APTA Leadership Congress and the work of the House of Delegates embodies APTA's commitment to building a strong community. It's a community rooted in the idea that we are at our best when we share an expansive, inclusive view of the contributions each of us can make to achieving our shared goals. The development of our next strategic plan is rooted in this idea, and it will reflect the efforts of many volunteers to develop a road map for our efforts to strengthen and future-proof our profession.

This issue of APTA Magazine underscores the breadth of our community. Writer Chris Hayhurst explores the work of PTs and PTAs who have dedicated their professional lives to serving patients in rural areas, where access can be challenging and providers often have to get creative in the ways they provide care.

"Disability Within the Physical Therapy Profession" reminds us that many in our profession bring unique perspectives to their work, informed by their own experiences with disability. We can all benefit from their insights.

And this month's Student Focus highlights yet another diverse area of our profession: acute care physical therapy. Karli Fosco, PT, DPT, interviews APTA Acute Care President Traci Lynn Norris, PT, DPT, about the academy and the community it provides to members.

I hope you enjoy learning more about these aspects of our profession, but, more importantly, I hope these articles help you feel connected to your community. My recommendation: Enjoy this issue with an ice-cold beverage, under the shade. And if there's hammock around, settle in.

Roger Herr, PT, MPA