Page 13 - OPTA Access Spring 2021

Candidates for Delegate (4 + 1 to be elected)
WATCH CAROLINE'S VIDEO STATEMENT
CAROLINE BRUNST, PT, DPT
It is an honor to be nominated and slated for the position of delegate for the Ohio Chapter. As our country and healthcare system are in unprecedented times, I am humbled at the opportunity to serve you and our association. The OPTA is a leader among the state chapters of the APTA surrounding the advancement and protection of our profession; specifically with the passing of HB 131. I am inspired by the enthusiastic and passionate work of OPTA leadership and the APTA House of Delegates and am hopeful to contribute to their ongoing success.
I am proud to represent the OPTA as Ohio’s Centennial Scholar – an APTA sponsored program to build a cadre of future association leaders at the national, state, and section levels. Additionally, I have demonstrated my commitment to OPTA involvement as a graduate of the inaugural L.I.F.E Series Leadership Academy cohort and the recipient of the 2018 Emerging Leader Award. My desire to contribute to the APTA mission and humbly represent our state is embodied by these achievements. As both an experienced clinician and aspiring researcher, my work requires me to be a critical thinker with sharp listening skills to identify problems and propose solutions. These experiences have equipped me with the leadership, confidence, and network that is vital to serve you and our profession. I would be grateful for your consideration and vote to serve as an OPTA delegate. Thank you.
ANTHONY DIFILIPPO, PT, DPT, MEd
I am honored to be slated for Ohio Delegate and the chance to represent our great chapter. In the past,
I have gained valuable experience as Ohio Chapter President, APTA Board of Directors, and an Ohio delegate.
I have learned many things about how our association works and the needs that members and the association require. I am a full-time clinician which allows me the opportunity to be on the front lines and see firsthand the administrative burden, the glass ceiling on salaries, and the escalating student debt. I also see the burden of payment cuts for services rendered by PTAs and the implementation of different payment models in post- acute care.
The association is the vehicle to enable change in our profession. Being an Ohio delegate would enable us to utilize my experience combined with my vision for the future of having the public educated on the benefits of physical therapy. Even more importantly, that they can access our services directly. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, my practice has operated as an orthopaedic urgent care. Our motto, “if you aren’t going to the emergency department via ambulance, you should be seeing a physical therapist.”
I would appreciate your vote for delegate to the Ohio delegation. I am very excited to help push our profession forward and your vote would allow me to take my passion, experience, and vision to the House of Delegates and represent you and continue to push our association and profession forward.
WATCH ANTHONY'S VIDEO STATEMENT
OPTA | March 2021 | 13