Page 8 - OPTA Access Fall 2022

DISTRICT REPORTS
CENTRAL District Report Kenneth Kirby, Jr., PT, DPT – Chair
WE ARE ACTIVELY RECRUITING FOR MULTIPLE OPEN BOARD POSITIONS!
WE WANT YOU!
Our District Board is almost complete. We still have two open board positions we are looking to fill. They are:
• Political Action Committee (PAC) Coordinator
• Communications Coordinator
Please review the volunteer webpage which includes links to all things you need to know to further engage with the OPTA and your district. Please reach out to me or our Nominating Committee Coordinator, Tim Rethorn, with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you find the right fit within our amazing group.
A YEAR IN REVIEW...
As we bring our ACCESS magazine to a close, I would like to spend a few minutes in reflection
on the past year; my first as chair of the Central District. As you know, COVID-19 had a profound effect on our profession. Many of us faced challenges daily. How we communicated with
our patients, families, friends, and colleagues underwent drastic changes as we sought to maintain a sense of normalcy both personally and professionally. The OPTA worked hard to persevere with virtual offerings in lieu of face-to-face events. Sadly, at the district level, we struggled to maintain a sense of connection to the members we serve.
In light of this, I worked hard to revitalize the district board. With the help of the remaining board members, we filled gaps, modified positions, and brought in new faces who have provided a diversity of thoughts and ideas. I worked to connect each board member to their respective committee as we met to develop a plan for moving forward with live events. Robust conversations were held, and we adopted a “less is more mentality”
in to assist in providing a work-life balance for all involved. We wanted fewer but more meaningful events to capture the attention of our audience without overwhelming them. What you have seen thus far is a culmination of our work.
This summer we put on two very successful events
that were well attended by members, non-members, students, residents, new professionals, and professional plus members alike. Our June open house to dedicate the new OPTA office in Westerville was highlighted
by President Tonya Apke sharing the board’s agenda
and goals for the upcoming year and Dr. Lori Wahl providing an insight into the inner workings of the House of Delegates. In July, we converged on the
patio of Olentangy River Brewing Company to enjoy a wonderful evening of food and drinks while spending time with friends and colleagues. Smiling faces, good conversations, and connecting with each other were just a few of the rewards of our time together.
Central District members enjoy gathering with colleagues at PT Pub Night.
Greetings fellow members of the OPTA and welcome to our final issue of ACCESS! I hope your summer has gone well and you have found time for rest, relaxation, and fun. With two events down the Central District Board has been hard at work making plans to finish off the year in style.
8 | August 2022 | OPTA