In the summer of 2023, I had the pleasure of serving as an usher at the APTA House of Delegates. One of the most fascinating parts of the experience was getting to see firsthand the process through which the delegates develop and debate policies that shape our profession. The experience sparked in me an interest in advocacy, first at the state level, then nationally. I applied for the APTA Harker Internship to learn more about how the American Physical Therapy Association advocates for physical therapy on Capitol Hill and to understand how I could become a more effective advocate for both my patients and the profession.
Each day of the internship looked a little different. Some mornings began with staff meetings at APTA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, where we would gather to align on priorities and share updates across departments. Other days, I'd ride to Capitol Hill with one of our lobbyists to attend meetings or prepare materials for APTA Capitol Hill Day. The variety of work not only kept me engaged, but it also gave me a real look at what advocacy looks like behind the scenes. I also got to see just how hard and diligently APTA's government affairs team works to make sure the association has a seat at the table.
I'll never forget how it felt walking the halls of Congress and talking with members and their staffs about how proposed legislation affects physical therapists and the communities we serve. It's one thing to read about a bill, but another thing entirely to be part of the conversation that helps shape it.
I learned a lot throughout my internship, but perhaps what surprised me most was how interconnected everything is. APTA doesn't work in a silo: It's in constant communication with associations like the American Occupational Therapy Association and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to strengthen our collective voice. I was especially impressed by APTA's regulatory team, which is responsible for closely monitoring and responding to potential changes in federal rulemaking by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other agencies. Submitting comments on proposed rules might not sound particularly glamorous, but it's one of the most powerful ways our profession can influence change.
This experience has made it clear to me that advocacy isn't just a side project; it's part of being a physical therapist. Thanks to my internship at APTA, I now know it's something I want to stay engaged in throughout my career.
If I had one piece of advice to other students thinking about applying for this internship or getting involved in advocacy, it would be this: start small and don't overthink it. Advocacy isn't about knowing all the answers – I certainly didn't. It's about showing up, being willing to learn, and sharing your story with those who have the power to effect change. Whether through a quick email to your representative or by joining a student advocacy group, your voice makes a difference.
Alvin Osorio Flores, PT, DPT, works at VHC Health in Northern Virginia. He earned his DPT from Shenandoah University in August 2025 and his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from James Madison University. He spoke about his Harker internship experience on the June Advocacy Roundup episode of the APTA Podcast.
About the Internship
The APTA Harker Internship is an annual paid internship in Government Affairs for third year DPT students that provides experience in federal legislative advocacy, policy, and grassroots. The internship is named in memory of R. Charles "Charlie" Harker, who served as APTA's Director of Government Affairs from 1982 until 1994. The Harker Internship was created by the APTA Board of Directors in 1995 in his honor and is made possible by the Physical Therapy Fund. Visit APTA's career page to apply for the 2026 internship by Feb. 1, 2026.