To support APTA’s mission to advance and enhance the profession, APTA launched three new councils to focus on various areas of practice.
The Frontiers in Rehabilitation, Science, and Technology (FiRST) Council was established in February 2016 as a community for interested stakeholders. FiRST grew out of identification of high-priority areas to advance science and innovation that our profession needs in order to understand and incorporate into our practice, education, and research.
The Council of Health Systems Physical Therapy (CHSPT) was established in June 2016 for APTA members who practice in major health systems, which typically are organizations that consist of an acute care hospital and a combination of other postacute care facilities. The organizations may offer care in a variety of integrated clinical settings, such as acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home care, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics.
And finally, the Council on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness in Physical Therapy was established in January 2018. The council is a community for PTs, PTAs, and students who are interested in incorporating prevention, health promotion, and wellness as an integral aspect of physical therapist practice, as well as in promoting and advocating for healthy lifestyles to reduce the burden of disease and disability on individuals and society.