Page 7 - OPTA Volume 48

"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."
- Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein
My goals for this article are two-fold . First, I want to review the great event that we were able to host this year, where we discussed how change could be a great thing in the APTA, and secondly, I want to review how the district is changing our current routine .
Before COVID-19, our district was able to host Michelle Masterson, PT, Ph .D . at the University of Cincinnati's pharmacy department . We were truly lucky to have her . The event was hosted at UC's pharmacy department as there wasn't a room large enough in the PT department to host the over 70 attendees . Chalee Engelhard, PT, MBA, EdD, professor at UC, and the students were a huge help in facilitating this . Caitlin DiNardo, PT, DPT, our PAC chair, hosted a very successful raffle in connection with the event . Dr . Masterson spoke of the House of Delegates including what the HOD does, topics up for vote, and what the APTA has planned for the next several years . There were great discussions and excitement about what changes were to come in the APTA .
Lead by Michelle Masterson, PT, Ph.D. the Southwest District meeting hosted over 70 attendees at the University of Cincinnati's pharmacy department.
As for my second point of how we are adapting to change at the district level, we haven't had a chance to do many in-person events . I don't want the reader to think that means that we aren't doing great things, and I don't just mean at the district level . We, as professionals, have been asked to adapt . Whether that means that we are working less, working more, volunteering to work when others don't feel safe or comfortable, or spending more time with our families . Let's face it though, change is hard, even if we've been trained to be flexible. However, I have been trying to realize that change can be a good thing . Change has been a good thing for
our profession in the past . If it weren't for change, we wouldn't have direct access or be able to pursue the Compact legislation .
We are called to be leaders, as a member of the APTA/ OPTA, as a member of our profession, and as a member of the community . It is during these times that we must adapt and revise our plans . Our district may not seem
as prevalent with events, but please know that we are here for you and still very active . We are planning to try to have some remote CEUs and are working on how to do a PT Day of Service in the fall . Also, please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, comments, and if you are interested in becoming more involved .
I want to end this article the way I started it: with a quote .
What if I told you that ten
years from now, your life
would be exactly the same?
I doubt you'd be happy.
So, why are you so afraid
of change?
- Karen Salmansohn, best-selling self-help author
For more information, contact Tracy at:
tmoodyrunning@gmail.com
Southwest District Report Tracy Moody Cessna, PT, DPT – Chair
OPTA | September 2020 | 7