A long-anticipated dream to create a center specifically targeted to foster stronger physical therapist leadership in health policy and health services research was born in 2015. Named the Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR), the project was brought into being by the Foundation for Physical Therapy with an initial $2.5 million grant and $1 million in support from APTA, as well as contributions from 50 APTA components and multiple individual physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. It was announced at the Combined Sections Meeting.
The center, based at Brown University in Rhode Island, with participation from Boston University and the University of Pittsburgh, became operational in June 2015, offering opportunities for postdoctoral fellowships, visiting scientists, and special summer training sessions.