Page 10 - OPTA Access Spring 2022

Candidates for PTA Caucus
Representative (1 + 1 1 Alternate to be elected)
NATASHA KONKLE PTA I I am grateful and and humbled to be nominated as a a a a a a a a a a a candidate for the PTA Caucus
Representative I I have
had the the the pleasure of serving in in this role the the the last three years and and appreciate the the the lessons learned and and relationships that that have
been formed during that that time In my first term I I worked alongside several PTA members across Ohio as as as well as as as OPTA leadership to assist in the the development of the the PTA PTA Advisory Committee The committee has served to to develop programs tailored to to the PTA membership while also discovering innovative solutions in in in in improving member participation I also collaborated with the Ohio PT Delegates Delegates prior to to to to the annual House of Delegates Delegates meeting to to to to discuss topics and policies relevant to to to to PTAs in our chapter as as well as as on on a a a a a a a a a a a national level I am grateful for the support from OPTA leadership and staff in in in the the the effort to to to to raise awareness of the the the opportunities available to to to to PTAs in in in the the the chapter I hope to to to to continue to to to to be a a a a part of these efforts in in in in recognizing leaders in in in in the the the PTA community while representing the the the needs and values of the chapter Thank you for for considering me for for this position EMILY REYNOLDS PTA I I am grateful and honored to be be slated for the PTA Caucus
Representative position I've been a a a a a a a a Physical Therapist Assistant since 2011 and and understand how the the profession has changed over the the last decade both as a a a a a a a a a clinician and and a a a a a a a a a Site Coordinator of Clinical Education for PT PT PTA OT OT and and COTA students I was part of of the APTA's inaugural Centennial Scholar Program have
presented on on PTA PTA professional development nationally and participated in the PTA Education Summit I worked on on on on a a a a a a a a a a national national task force and enjoy working with clinicians across the country to develop excellence in in in our profession Physical Therapist Assistants are capable of a a a a a a a a a a great many things and I look forward to representing Ohio PTAs in what we can do for our our our patients our our our colleagues and our our our communities KATIE SUTTON PTA Thank you for the the nomination to represent Ohio in in in in the the PTA Caucus
This role is is critical in in in in giving Ohio Ohio PTAs a a a a a a a voice while also advancing the profession I am grateful for Ohio’s previous and current leadership which paved the way for Ohio PTA involvement and opportunity at all levels
of the the association I recognize the the challenges that PTAs are facing ranging from decreased reimbursement in in in in the clinic to changing trends in in in in PTA education These areas will require careful focus and ongoing support through this position Regular communication with Ohio’s PTAs is is key to understanding the the issues that we face and and how to implement or or advocate for tangible change at at at the the state and national levels
I have
been a a a a a a a a a a a PTA for 18 years with experience as as a a a a a a a a a a a clinician and as as an an an educator specifically in in PT PT and and PTA clinical education I am well-versed in in advocacy and and recognize the value of grassroots efforts Currently I volunteer on on on the Ohio Ohio Continuing Education Audit Committee Committee Ohio Ohio PTA Advisory Committee Committee and as a a a a CAPTE On-Site Reviewer providing me with unique perspectives from multiple stakeholders My recent work on the APTA Centennial Steering Committee was pivotal for me to build robust relationships with PTs and PTAs across the country I was honored to speak at at The Future of Physical Therapy Summit closing a a a a a a chapter in in in PT history and passing the the torch to to to future leaders I welcome the the opportunity to work with and for Ohio PTAs as we embark on our next 100 years!
10 | | March 2022 | | OPTA