The Organization of Physical Therapists in Iowa
by IPTA Historian Laurie Hiatt, PT

An organizational meeting was held in Iowa City Nov. 23, 1940, to form an association of Iowa physical therapists. On Dec. 14, 1940, in Des Moines, the association was officially organized, and Loraine Frost was elected president, Hilma Anderson, vice president and Helen Foss, secretary-treasurer.  At its inception, the association had 13 members.

A charter was issued to the Iowa Chapter by the American Physical Therapy Association June 17, 1949.  The Chapter was incorporated in Iowa Feb. 11, 1955, as the Iowa Chapter American Physical Therapy Association.  In 1990 the name was changed to Iowa Physical Therapy Association.

An allied foundation was established in 1986.  Incorporated on March 31, 1986, as the Iowa Chapter American Physical Therapy Foundation, the name was changed in 1990 to Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation.

Legislation permitting evaluation of patients without referral became law July 1, 1984.  Legislation permitting direct patient access to physical therapists without physician referral was signed by Gov. Terry Branstad Feb. 5, 1988, and took effect July 1, 1988.

On June 4, 1991, Gov. Terry Branstad signed into law a bill licensing physical therapist assistants in Iowa, and the bill took effect July 1, 1991.

Physical therapist education programs in Iowa were established in 1942 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, in 1988 at Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center, in 1993 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport and in 1996 at Clarke College in Dubuque.

Physical therapist assistant education programs in Iowa were established in 1989 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, in 1994 at Western Iowa Technical Community College in Sioux City, in 1994 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and in 1995 at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS

FOUNDATION PRESIDENTS