Page 30 - OPTA Access March 2018

Student/Faculty Affairs
Committee Report
Marka Gehrig Salsberry, PT, DPT – Chair
Happy New Year from the OPTA SSIG! As we move into the New Year, this ambitious group of students is making great advancements towards their yearly SSIG goals The focus is heavily set on increasing student awareness and involvement within the OPTA, increasing activities in the community, and facilitating intercollegiate collaboration and communication
Outside of the SSIG goal driven initiatives, the board and members are working on the OPTA Annual Conference Here are a few things you’ll want to take note of:
• The call for nominations closed on February 26 and we are thrilled to have such outstanding students nominated for the SSIG Board of Directors Please don’t forget to vote for your desired candidate Be on the lookout for the email to cast your ballot as the voting period is open from March 14 to April 12 The new SSIG BOD will be announced at Annual Conference
• It’s time to start rounding up your student challenge team for the OPTA Annual Conference on April 13 Our reigning champions, The University of Cincinnati, hold the coveted title We had 12 great teams competing last year and hope to surpass the number of entries this year
In addition to all the new endeavors, the “School of the Month” program is in full force If your school has not volunteered to highlight your program for all of the student leaders of Ohio to see, you are missing out We hope to hear about the unique happenings in your program on one of the upcoming monthly SSIG calls Details can be found on the SSIG website
Are you already competing in our Volunteer Challenge? If not, you’re missing a fun and unique opportunity to give back to your community The Volunteer Challenge is an initiative to help support and provide services for those in need If you’re school is the winner, logging the most hours, you will receive a $250 donation to give to your charity of choice For more information on how to sign up please see the SSIG website You have until March 31 to compete and surpass our reigning champions, The University Toledo
If you’ve been participating in the monthly SSIG calls, you’ve noticed the new “Hot Topics” session with leaders in the PT profession We have replaced the SSIG journal club with expert informational sessions Students suggest topics of interest and speakers are recruited from the PT community So, if there’s a topic of interest to you or your program please let us know!
We continue to encourage student membership and participation from across the state Don’t forget to visit the OPTA Student Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@OPTA_ SSIG) page for up-to-date information, announcements and happenings in the SSIG The SSIG website is also a great resource for students to join forces within the state Visit the
website from the OPTA homepage by selecting the “Student” button in the top right corner For direct access follow the link http://associationdatabase com/aws/OPTA/pt/sp/students If you or a student you know is interested in joining the SSIG look for the “Interested student form” located on the website
Lastly, thank you to all OPTA student members for being such wonderful representatives of the SSIG and the profession! And thank you to the SSIG Board of Directors for your leadership and initiative If you have any questions or suggestions for the SSIG, please contact myself or members of the SSIG board
For more information, contact Marka at: marka gehrig@osumc edu Federal Affairs Liaison Report
David Wessells, PT – Liaison
As we have turned the clock into
2018, it is a time to celebrate accomplishments on the legislative front, while resolving to become even stronger in our efforts to advocate for our therapists and patients in the face
of many upcoming challenges This year the APTA, through grassroots efforts from members like you and the hard work of our Advocacy team, has accomplished much to be excited about
• Physical therapist assistants are on their way to of cially joining the TRICARE payment program In December, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act enacting a change long advocated by APTA The
APTA will work closely with the Department of Defense
in the coming months to help provide guidance on the implementation of this new law We anticipate coverage for PTAs through Tricare in 2018!
• The APTA successfully advocated against many provisions of the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” recently signed into law The deduction for student loan interest was preserved, deductions for medical expenses will increase, graduate students won’t be taxed on tuition waivers, and some pass through business will get tax relief bene tting small private practice owners
• Congress approved a short term extension of Children’s Health Insurance Program through March
• We successfully fought the implementation of a new orthotics and prosthetics rule that would have required certi cation for any therapist providing devices for their patients
• The V A has proposed greater use of telehealth services for rehab services
• APTA fought negative changes for PTs associated with a proposed Home Health Payment Policy rule
• We were successful in implementing locum tenens legislation after years working towards this goal
While these successes and many more should be celebrated, I recognize the challenges we face today in an ever more
30 | March 2018 | OPTA
Committee and SIG Reports