Page 12 - OPTA Access Spring 2022

SUZANNE GIUFFRE PT EdD
Reflecting on on my career as as a a a a a a a a a a physical therapist I I believe I I am well suited to take on on the the role as as a a a a a a a a a a delegate within OPTA I I have been a a a a a a a PT PT for for 30 years years practicing in in in in Ohio for for 26 of those years years As a a a a a a a clinician I I worked in in in outpatient pediatrics acute care hospitals inpatient rehab centers centers skilled nursing centers centers as well as as as having done school-based PT and hospice care Although the last 23 years have been in in education I continued to work in in in in the the clinic for 13 of those years I have had previous roles within APTA OPTA and the the East East Central Central District District Including my current position as as as public relations chair for the East East Central Central District District and serving on the the ad hoc historical committee for OPTA Besides my degrees in in physical therapy I have an EdD
in in in higher education administration a a a a a a a a certificate in in in leadership excellence from Cleveland State University and completed a a a a a fellowship in in educational leadership with the the APTA in in 2019 Although these experiences were focused on on on education they provided me a a a a a a wealth of information and helped develop my skills as a a a a a a a leader Teaching in in in in DPT programs has necessitated keeping current with licensure issues changes in in in in practice and and legislation initiatives I have always valued my OPTA/APTA membership and and believe without our professional association we we would not be where we we are today-a valued profession profession We need to to continue to to to advocate for our profession and the the people we serve I hope to to to have the the opportunity to to to do just that in this position Thank You LISA HAUSFELD PT PT PT MPT DScPT
I I am honored to be be slated for for the the position of Ohio delegate I I have been a a a a a a a a practicing physical therapist for for 24 years and I support the the the OPTA’s mission to advance the the the practice of physical therapy This is is is becoming more important as we encounter significant reimbursement obstacles that create administrative burdens for PTs I’m also concerned about increasing obstacles to affordable and quality care for for our patients As a a a a a a a a a a a a leader in in in my organization I have gained valuable experience and and a a a a a a a a a a a rich understanding of how PTs are directly impacted by changes in in policy I I am fortunate to work alongside experienced PTs new clinicians and students I I witness the challenges challenges newer PTs face face with regards to student debt and and the challenges challenges we we all all all face face in a a a a a a a a a post-pandemic environment I I I am am fortunate that I I I am am been exposed to many perspectives and I I I believe this strengthens my ability to successfully represent OPTA members I feel strongly that we we as a a a a a a a profession must to to to continue to to to educate the public about what we we have to to to offer It still surprises and saddens me when I I hear a a a a a a a a patient say that they they wish they they knew about us sooner!
As a a a a a a a life-long learner I I have enthusiastically developed my my clinical skills throughout my my career I I recently completed the L L I F E Series Leadership Academy This was a a a a a a a a valuable experience that allowed me to network with and learn from from dedicated clinicians from from across Ohio My experience as as a a a a a a a a a a a clinician and a a a a a a a a a a a leader in in my organization will make me me an an an an asset to the OPTA members I hope to represent NANCY LANDGRAFF PT PhD
As a a a a a a 42 year member of APTA I I would be be honored to serve serve Ohio as a a a a a a delegate I I have served on on OPTA committees state chapter boards and and as a a a a a a a a a delegate in in 2021 and and 2022 I bring to the the delegation the the perspective of of of an an an an academician and and the understanding of of of what it takes to educate our future professionals I represent my University to the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy and have an an an appreciation
of of the the educational initiatives that that affect our our students and our our profession I believe that that we have the the responsibility to encourage and and educate our our students by promoting association membership and and leadership within it it it to develop commitment in in in in our future leaders Serving as a a a a a delegate I will pursue the input and opinions of of of students colleagues and and clinicians to to weigh in in in on on on topics of of of importance and and their professional concerns I I recognize that I I represent the the membership and and will solicit input and and feedback from the the members members in in our State I I have an an an extensive network of colleagues and graduate Physical Therapists in in Ohio that I I can access to to discuss issues to to inform my voting I will make this this a a a priority My strengths for for this this office include respecting and and understanding the the process process of of governing I have experience with the the process process of of motions discussions and being prepared Finally I believe in in in in the the the governing process of of the the the profession through the the the APTA House of Delegates It would be my honor to represent you as an Ohio Physical Therapy Association delegate 12 | | March 2022 | | OPTA