InTouch Newsletter: APRIL 2024 
Special Message
Dear Colleagues,
This past weekend devastating storms impacted individuals and families in Nebraska and Iowa. I want to extend my best wishes to the victims of the storms, and I invite our entire membership to join me in keeping them in our thoughts.
It is times like these that we all can be more than just our job title. Resources and financial assistance are in high demand and anyone looking to assist can do so through local chapters of the Salvation Army or Red Cross. These organizations are mobilizing to support those impacted and will identify which items will be most beneficial to donate.
To our members directly impacted by the storms, please know that your association is here and available to support you however we can.
To the rest of you, as we learn more about the extent of the damage to our communities there will be opportunities for volunteer support, and I encourage you to participate in these efforts. Let us use this moment to demonstrate our ability to be caring and compassionate leaders.
Sincerely,
Nick Weber
APTA-NE President
President's Report
First, on behalf of the Education Committee, I want to thank those that attended the Annual Conference, Business Meeting, and Kickoff Banquet. Your presence and engagement contributed significantly to the success of the event. We were especially energized by the attendance numbers and feedback in support of the new format.
For those that were unable to attend, please take a moment to review the Business Meeting slides for updates from the Executive Board, NE State Board of PT, NE Foundation for PT, and Early Professional SIG.
We are now looking forward to next year’s conference on March 28th & 29th in Kearney, NE. Be on the lookout over the next few months regarding how to reserve hotel accommodations and submit session proposals.
I also want to thank the small group that attended Capitol Hill Day of behalf of APTA-NE and its members.
To help members keep track of all the bills that APTA is engaged in during the 118th Congress, please be sure to check out the APTA legislation tracker that outlines the various bills that APTA is leading, collaborating with other groups on, or has endorsed. The various bills cover everything from payment in all Medicare settings, reducing administrative burden, digital health, workforce, student loan burden, rural health, full funding for IDEA, and a whole host of issues impacting the patients PTs and PTAs serve.
For information on the 2024 Nebraska Unicameral, 108th Legislature, click here for a final report prepared by the American Communications Group.
April was also National Minority Health Month. This annual observance builds awareness about the health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minority populations and encourages everyone to take action to end these inequities.
This year’s theme, Be the Source for Better Health, was about understanding how the unique environments, cultures, histories, and circumstances of racial and ethnic populations impact their overall health. To support all of us in gaining a better understanding, PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal works to connect us with some of the latest research on the intersections between minority health, health disparities, and the physical therapy community.
Here are four examples:
• Understanding Differences in Pain Experience in Terms of Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Background
• Uncovering Disparities in Physical Therapy Use Between Black and White Patients with MSK Pain
• Identifying Clinical Subgroups Among People Who Are Hispanic/Latino with Chronic Low Back Pain
In May, we will open the process to apply or nominate member volunteers to APTA-NE committees and task forces through our volunteer portal, APTA Engage. APTA-NE is advanced by the power of our volunteers, from my colleagues on the board to individuals who give their time and talents to our committees and special interest groups. These individuals advance APTA-NE in a number of different ways, and you can too by volunteering in a district, joining a special interest group, or signing up as a committee member. Members also have the opportunity to build connections by volunteering for APTA academies, chapters, and sections. This type of service is never underestimated or underappreciated.
For those that already serve, I encourage you to say thank you to a fellow volunteer or tap a colleague on the shoulder and encourage them to volunteer in their association. In closing, thank you. Thank you for your service and commitment to APTA-NE, and the impact you have on the profession. But mostly, thank you for the impact your service has on the health of the individuals and communities we serve.
Sincerely,
Nick Weber, PT, DPT
APTA-NE President
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Career Center
Be sure to visit the APTA NE Career Center on our website to check out current job opportunities.
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If you or someone you know is looking for a new PT or PTA position, this is a great place to find an opportunity! Check out the current job openings here.