APTA-Michigan Fall Conference
October 12, 2024 1:30-3:30 PM
“Title IX opened a door fifty years ago that can never be closed again, but equality doesn’t end at the equal right to play. True equality in sports, like any other industry, requires rebuilding the systems so there’s an equal chance to thrive.” While this powerful quote from Lauren Fleshman rings true for many females that have broken into a male dominated sports physical therapy world, there are many students, young, and experienced professionals who may feel like achieving their dreams in sports physical therapy is a much bigger hill to climb than their male counterparts. In the United States, women make up 65% of physical therapists. Why is it then that more men than women own their own practices, hold administrative and managerial positions, hold more faculty appointments, and earn around 10% more in physical therapy? This being an even greater issue in sports physical therapy. The purpose of this panel presentation is to expand on the widely popular women’s sports panels at past Combined Sections Meetings, and to highlight local female physical therapists and their different paths into sports physical therapy. This includes each practitioner sharing their journey, barriers faced, challenges they have overcome, and advice to professionals hoping to make their own impact as a female physical therapist in sports.
Course Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to identify different pathways to sports physical therapy specialization.
2. Participants will gain knowledge on ways to get involved in sports physical therapy opportunities in their communities.
3. Participants will feel confident in their ability to work in a sports physical therapy setting.
4. Participants will be better equipped to address some of the challenges that may come with working in sports physical therapy.
Join us! I jumped at the chance to join the conversation with this powerhouse crew:
Hannah De Paul, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS @hannahsmith424
Katie Noble, PT, DPT, SCS @drkatienoble
Nancy Boyd, PT, DPT, FAFS, CFMT, CAPP-OB @ancoeurwellness
Hannah Cook, PT, DPT @thatfitcook