By Sarah R. Schwartz ’10

From Oct. 29-31, 17 of Arcadia’s Physical Therapy students participated in the 2010 American Physical Therapy Association’s National Student Conclave held in Cherry Hill, N.J. During the weekend’s events, Colleen Sullivan ’12 was elected to serve as Secretary for the Student Assembly Board of Directors.

As secretary, Sullivan will take minutes at all Student Board Conferences and act as Student Assembly Brand Champion working as a liaison to student Core Ambassadors and APTA Component Sections. Along with the Student Assembly Board of Directors and Nominating Committee, Sullivan also will attend the APTA conferences throughout the year, promoting and encouraging student involvement and continued membership.

“The National Student Conclave was a fantastic experience. It was a testament to the physical therapy profession to have over 1,000 students congregate to learn from leaders in our field, to network with employers and fellow students, and to vote for the 2010-11 Student Assembly Board of Directors,” says Sullivan. “It was awe-inspiring to be surrounded by so many highly motivated and involved students at NSC, and now I am all the more confident that these student leaders will continue to lead us towards APTA’s Vision 2020.”

The APTA 2020 Vision states, “By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health,” as noted by the APTA website.

Arcadia University students are making strides toward that vision. Arcadia’s attendees also included Charlie Eberling ’11, Hallie Lenker ’11, Kate Johnston ’11, Greg Kowal ’11, Chris Wickel ’11, Dana Gargulio ’11, Julie Brophy ’11, Katie Parafinczuk ’11, Megan Todd ’11, Laura English ’12, Samantha Corkwell ’12, Randy Rodriguez ’12, Janet Shuhart ’12, Stephanie Ronin ’12, May Tsun ’13, and Melissa Buness ’13.

Ranked 7th among the 211 accredited graduate PT programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, Arcadia is the first program in Pennsylvania to offer both the entry-level and transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.