I am incredibly honored to serve as the President of the Academy of Physical Therapy Research.

I recognize the immense value of the Academy of Physical Therapy Research – an academy not focused on a body system or patient profile, but one that bridges all of physical therapy with the mission of optimizing movement through discovery and innovation. We provide value to our membership through our CSM programming and the activities of our four Special Interest Groups (SIGs) – Evidence-based Practice, Biomechanics, Qualitative Research, and Early Career Researchers.  We provide value to our profession by facilitating awareness of physical therapy research to improve practice. We foster collaboration through our Research Traveling Fellows program. We celebrate our current leaders through the John P. Maley Award for outstanding contributions to sustained leadership in research. And we support our students through Student Travel Awards and feature future faculty through the Marylen Gossman Graduate Student Research Seminar.

As President, one of my goals is for our Academy to be more inclusive. In collaboration with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, I will work to help our Academy to become more inclusive in our membership, in our leadership, and in our awards selection – and in our work with other academies and professions. As physical therapy research continues to quickly evolve, I want to ensure that the Academy is uniquely positioned to support our profession, and our patients, by helping to accelerate evidence into action.

If you aren’t a member already, I welcome you to join the Academy of Physical Therapy Research. Whether you are a student, clinician, or researcher, we value your ideas and involvement. I invite you to visit our website to join a Special Interest Group, volunteer to serve on a committee, check out award opportunities, or send us a message. I look forward to hearing from you.