What APTA Membership Can Mean for You

In honor of Physical Therapy Month, we’re spotlighting a few of our dedicated clinicians at FOX who are active members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Founded in 1921, the APTA represents physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students, promoting the profession, advancing practice standards, and providing essential educational and research resources. Through their advocacy efforts, APTA members help shape policies supporting physical therapy and public health. 

We spoke with three FOX clinicians to learn how their membership with the APTA has impacted their careers and how it continues to shape their practice. 

Meet Our FOX Clinicians 

Noelle Alicea, PT, DPT, GCS: Noelle has been a physical therapist for nearly six years and works with older adult patients in Lewes, Delaware. 

Emily Beyene, PT, DPT, GCS: Emily has over six years of experience as a physical therapist and is based in Plano, Texas, where she treats older adults. 

Matt Forsyth, MSPT, APTA Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor: With an impressive 22 years in the field, Matt practices in Aston, Pennsylvania, focusing on older adult patients. 

What Led You to Physical Therapy? 

Noelle: Growing up, both my grandmother and grandfather lived with my family. I constantly found myself drawn to my grandmother and assisting her. I also found myself injured in high school and was constantly in and out of physical therapy. I saw the benefits of PT as a kid and wanted to combine my love for older adults with making people feel better.  

Matt: I was drawn to physical therapy because I cared for my grandmother and assisted her with exercises after her knee replacements. Ever since I was a kid, I have been interested in physical fitness. 

Why Did You Join the APTA? 

Noelle: My graduate school, Thomas Jefferson, promoted participating in the APTA, which resulted in me maintaining my membership post-graduation. In school, there were many opportunities for student participation, scholarships, and awards, which led me to get more involved once I graduated.  

Emily: My PT school required membership for all students, and then when I graduated, I knew I wanted to pursue my GCS. It made sense to stay involved and be a member of the APTA for all the resources they offer. 

Matt: I joined when I was a student over two decades ago—yay for student discounts! FOX also has an internal program called PACE (Professional Academic and Clinical Excellence) which helps add motivation to renew. 

How Do You Maintain Your APTA Membership?  

Noelle: There is nothing required to be in the APTA besides yearly membership dues. You are not required to participate in any of their programs or use any of the services they offer, but that is partly why you became a member in the first place. 

How Does APTA Membership Benefit You as a Clinician? 

Noelle: Being an APTA member means that my yearly dues are supporting the governing body that holds and advocates for the value of my licenses. Without an organization to legitimize, standardize, and advocate for our practice, our licenses would have minimal credibility. The APTA is an insurance that my career will be protected and supported. I feel we often overlook the value of an association, and I am so happy there are people fighting for our profession daily to allow us to focus on our patients and quality of care.  

Emily: The Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy offers monthly journal clubs for CEUs that are helpful. I also receive their journals to stay up to date on newly published research. I’m serving in my second year as a member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts. This means that I’m a question writer for the Geriatric Specialization Test, which helps me stay up to date on research and best practices. 

Matt: One benefit is easy access to journal articles and updates on legislative changes. Being a member of the APTA also allows me to reference research to check the efficacy of my interventions. 

How Has APTA Helped You in Your Career? 

Noelle: APTA provides you with a large network of therapists, researchers, professors, and so much more. If you did want to progress your PT career in any direction, these members would be the building blocks to foster mentorship or collaboration. The opportunities are endless when you connect with people who truly want to make the world a better place!  

Emily: What helps me the most are journal clubs and journal articles. 

Matt: I have primarily used my APTA membership for access to research for clinical decisions and treatment guidance. There are actually several more benefits that I seldom tap into. 

Why is Membership Important?   

Noelle: To help advocate for the future of our profession as a whole. It’s a great way to make connections and network, progress your education, and collaborate to provide the highest quality care. Furthermore, you get to be a part of something bigger than your day-to-day!   

Emily: I appreciate the access to new research and the advocacy they provide to help legislate for physical therapy. 

Matt: In a nutshell, it is a “one-stop shop” to help me stay informed, engage with current research findings, and generally be a better clinician. It helps me see the big picture of the entire PT community. 

Any Advice for Young Clinicians?  

Noelle: I would say 100% do it. If you are a student member and transition to clinician, the APTA will give you discounted dues for the first few years. That will give you some time to figure out where you belong and explore the benefits.   

Emily: I think my best advice is to stay up to date on research and changes in the profession. Getting involved at the state level is also a great way to network and meet other clinicians in your geographical area. Joining academies and chapters that interest you can help you learn more about getting involved with special interest groups and focusing on specific topics.   

I also look at the APTA Engage portion of their website where they list more ways to get involved and volunteer. That’s how I found the SACE question writing opportunity. I also became a member of the CSM Programming Committee for the Geriatrics Academy. 

I would just recommend getting involved, trying out some things to see what clicks for you, and staying up to date on new happenings in the profession to ensure you’re delivering the best and most up-to-date care for your patients.  I think attending CSM, or even a state-level conference, is a great way to network with other PTs, stay enthusiastic about the profession, and learn about new things. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, but I think conferences are a great way to remember why we do what we do.  

Matt: My advice to a younger clinician? Get started while you are a student and enjoy that student discount! 

Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or just starting out, being part of the APTA can provide invaluable resources and connections to help you grow in your career. For those considering joining, now is the perfect time to explore what the APTA has to offer and be a part of shaping the future of physical therapy.