Recent News
PTA Students and Faculty Attend the 2016 APTA of MA Annual Conference
November 20, 2016
On November 19, 2016, students from Bay State College's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, along with 5 PTA faculty members (Carolyn Cwalinski, Tina Hein, Kathy Larsen, Chris Joyce, Claire Robbins) attended the APTA of MA annual conference.
Bay State College funded 8 of our students to attend for free through the Student Government Association (SGA).
The day started out with a key note address by Cynthia Zadai on how "The Movement System" and how PTs/PTAs are well suited to be "Movement Specialists." She then discussed the benefits and risks in moving in this new direction. Following the key note address, attendees could choose from a variety of educational/discussion sessions including: The Effectiveness of a Group Gross Motor Intervention on Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, The Paradox of Preoccupation with Productivity in a Value-Driven Healthcare System, Return to Life: Management of Sports Concussion Multidisciplinary approach and Community Impact, The Role of PT in the Management of Obesity and Weight Loss, Identification and Physical Therapy Management of Patients with Lyme Disease.
During lunch, Mary Zupkus, President of the APTA of MA, recognized and acknowledged our college, praising us for the large amount of students we had attending the conference. In the past, PTA students have been under-represented and people are starting to notice our students involvement as they change the way PTAs are participating in these types of events.
Students in attendance left feeling energized, inspired and confident of their place in the PTA field:
Mia Bekemier ('17) found, "Overall I had a great day. I walked into the conference hesitant and worried that I would not understand anything and left with my head spinning full of new knowledge and pride that I was able to understand what was going on most of the time. Being able to recognize that my work in the program has paid off and that I have already learned so much really made me feel motivated and confident in myself."
Karen Kelly ('17) "The schedule of talks for the 2016 MA APTA meeting included a wide variety of topics and I was hopeful that the meeting information would be relevant to the recent physical therapy knowledge taught in our PTA classes. I was pleasantly surprised that the Keynote address by Cynthia Zadal related directly to topics on the history of the physical therapy field and the APTA that had been covered in PTA104. The new information presented by Cynthia reinforced what we’d learned and added a deeper level of understanding about how the PT field hopes to progress in the next 20 years."
Jennifer Koot ('17) "The luncheon also provided us with more speakers which I enjoyed because I got an outsider look at some of the relationships of those who had been working with the APTA for a long time. I felt the energy was uplifting and was encouraged by all of the intelligent powerful women in the industry."
PTA faculty member Carolyn Cwalinski noted, "This is an excellent opportunity for students to meet with leaders in their profession and begin to realize just how much they learned in their program thus far. Our first year students were quite surprised at how much they could understand and learn from such experienced clinicians after being in the program for only one semester. In addition to educational opportunities our students (especially our second year students) were able to make new connections and network as they prepare to graduate and find employment. Being around all of these professionals who are still passionate about their profession and patients is inspiring and uplifting."