Page 13 - OPTA Access Fall 2022

The 2021-2022 SSIG had a successful year of growth and progress! The leadership team was deliberate in building objectified goals to support data-driven decision-making and in creating value-added events to enhance student awareness and participation. The monthly meetings saw a significant climb in attendees with the showcasing of a variety of guest speakers and experts that informed PT and PTA students across
the state of Ohio in their journey to becoming a therapist. Students learned about aspects of social media in physical therapy and socialization of the profession, clinical specialization, post-graduate residencies, financial planning, PT and PTA collaborations, and much more.
The SSIG hosted the 3rd annual Program of the Year Challenge. This is a friendly competition among Ohio PT/ PTA academic programs. Programs were tasked to submit student participation in various service events held throughout the year in efforts to earn points and climb to the top. Several new point-earning opportunities were added this year to advocate for cross-program collaborations and participation in various SSIG events. Twelve academic programs registered for the challenge! For the second year in
a row, Youngstown State University earned the grand prize! Additionally, the Core Value Superlatives were earned by programs that hosted events related to the APTA Core Values. Four schools led the initiative: Mount St. Joseph – Compassion and Caring, Cleveland State University - Social Responsibility, The Ohio State University – Altruism, and Walsh University - Excellence. Stay tuned for information on how to get your Ohio PT or PTA program involved in this year’s Program of the Year Challenge.
A great highlight event in 2022 was the Crossover Collaborative at OPTA Transform, a networking event created and hosted in partnership between the OPTA SSIG and EPSIG. Students and early professionals were afforded the opportunity to meet, connect, and network through a fun PT trivia event led by the energetic and passionate Dr. Scott Euype. A fun time had by all, even a few of the “professional plus” members who migrated in!
Other events that the SSIG led included a Pre-PT night for undergraduate students interested in PT. The SSIG leadership served as panelists to address questions from the participants in terms of their experiences while advocating for the profession and encouraging SSIG engagement. The SSIG also had an OPTA “bucks” giveaway opportunity for students that engaged in the various OPTA SSIG social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @OPTAstudents) to promote awareness and engagement with the SSIG.
create value to better serve the PT/ PTA students across the state of Ohio. Congratulations to all the graduated DPTs/SPTAs and welcome to the new leaders and members of the OPTA SSIG! We are looking forward to another fruitful year of PT and PTA student engagement and collaborations, optimizing value and education, and building capacity for the future of our profession! To learn more about the SSIG visit our webpage.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021-2022 SSIG LEADERS
PT LEADER:
Alexis Vella, SPT (University of Toledo)
VICE-CHAIR:
William (BJ) Guss, SPT (Youngstown State University)
SECRETARY:
Macy Debevec, SPT (Youngstown State University)
ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR:
Sarah Ziegelmeyer, SPT (The Ohio State University)
OHIO CORE AMBASSADOR:
AJ Miller, SPT (Walsh University)
WEBSITE COORDINATOR:
Kaitlyn Bigner, SPT (University of Cincinnati)
EPSIG CO-LIAISONS:
Edem Gadagbui, SPT (University of Mount Union) Matthew Tack, SPT (University of Toledo).
CONGRATULATIONS & WELCOME TO OUR 2022-2023 SSIG LEADERS
PT CO-CHAIR:
Matthew Tack, SPT (University of Toledo)
Gabriella Wagner, SPT (Youngstown State University)
VICE-CHAIR:
Jordan Arrington, SPT (University of Toledo)
SECRETARY:
Camryn Bellish, SPT (The Ohio State University)
ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR:
Shelby Fulmer, SPT (University of Toledo)
CORE AMBASSADOR TO APTA STUDENT AFFAIRS:
Evan Urrutia, SPT (Youngstown State University)
WEBSITE COORDINATOR:
Nadia Hembree, SPT (University of Cincinnati)
EPSIG CO-LIAISONS:
Regan Simon, SPT (University of Toledo)
Macy Debevec, SPT (Youngstown State University)
For more information, Cara at: cacarramusa@ysu.edu
PARTICIPATION IN THE SSIG IS FREE FOR ALL STUDENT MEMBERS – LEARN MORE AND JOIN US!
Student SIG Report
Alexis Vella, PT, DPT- 2021-2022 OPTA SSIG Leader Cara Berg-Carramusa, PT, MSPT, EdD- OPTA Student SSIG Chair
The 2021-2022 SSIG leadership made great strides in achieving their goals to increase membership, enhance student outreach, and craft various events to
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