Welcome to APTA Iowa
We aim to serve the membership and the public with excellence and integrity by advancing and promoting the practice of physical therapy through the coordination of advocacy, education and resources.
Recent News
Greetings, APTA Iowa! Because personal and work environment stressors can take a toll on well-being, I’m excited to share a new resource with you: Healthy Practice Resource . The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, in collaboration with Healthcare Regulatory Research Institute, developed this innovative self-assessment tool to support licensee well-being and promote healthy practice across the profession. It offers a proactive approach by helping professionals identify areas for growth and access resources that support sustainable, healthy practice. There are 10 modules and certificates of completion awarded. Congratulations to APTA Iowa delegates elected in December: Colleen Louw, Chief Delegate Pamela Duffy, Stephanie Kelsick, and Brenda Kemling January Board Meeting Highlights Discussed term/title protection. APTA Iowa will continue to send professional courtesy letters to offices who advertise physical therapy and do not employ a physical therapist. Physiotherapy is a term specifically used to define “chiropractic” in the Iowa Chiropractic Practice Act and does not infringe on the Iowa PT Practice Act title protection. Approved an honor cord program to recognize student members who show high engagement and dedication to our Chapter and the profession. Reviewed Bylaws survey results. Bylaws Task Force has met with APTA leadership. The Task Force is developing educational materials. Advocacy Discussions continue with Iowa Total Care and Wellpoint about prior authorization and administrative burden. Thank you for providing data. We will continue to rely on you to identify pain points. Join us for APTA Iowa Day on the Hill - Wednesday, Feb. 25 Legislator breakfast with members 7:00-9:00 a.m. Student activities at 11:00 a.m. Join us at the Advocacy Reception - Wednesday, April 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm Education Enhance your clinical decision making in any setting by attending the spring conference! April 15 and 16, 2026 Wed., April 15 PM – Issues Forum Thurs., April 16 - Chapter Business Meeting and CEU: Integrating Neurodynamics and Pain Science presented by Adriaan Louw Best regards, Sue Bravard, PT, MS
Hello APTA Iowa! Thank you to all who completed the Chapter Bylaws survey . The Bylaws Task Force has begun work on data analysis including theme identification to present at the January 2026 Board meeting. I also reached out to APTA leadership to request resources as we work toward alignment with APTA Bylaws. APTA Iowa allocated resources to assist and support rehab agencies as they educate Iowa Medicaid and legislators about the unintentional impact of the speech code payment changes which went into effect December 1. Thank you to Doug Struyk (APTA Iowa Legislative Counsel), Steve Cassabaum (Legislative Committee Chair), and Randy Bolt (Payment and Policy Committee Chair) for guidance on strategy and messaging to advocate for services for this vulnerable pediatric population. I attended the Payment and Policy Committee meeting with Iowa Total Care on December 16. We are also working with Wellpoint to schedule a meeting in January 2026. Your concerns about prior authorization, denials, and their peer-to-peer process were shared. We asked for an increase in the number of visits without prior authorization. The recommendation by Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Rulemaking Committee to designate the doctor of physical therapy degree and many other health professions degrees as graduate rather than professional degrees could reshape our profession. This proposed rule is published for public comment in early 2026. Congratulations to APTA Iowa members Steve Cassabaum received the 2025 Private Practice Community Impact Award Alissa Thompson was elected as a delegate for the PTA Council Save these 2026 dates: Early Professional SIG virtual happy hour – Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. APTA Iowa Day on the Hill - Wednesday, Feb. 25 Legislator breakfast with members 7:00-9:00 a.m. Student activities at 11:00 a.m. APTA Iowa Spring Conference – April 15 and 16, 2026 Wed., April 15 PM – Issues Forum & Advocacy Reception (5:30-7:30 pm) Thurs., April 16 - Chapter Business Meeting and CEU: Integrating Neurodynamics and Pain Science presented by Adriaan Louw May your holiday season be filled with joy, Sue Bravard, PT, MS
Happy National Physical Therapy Month! As our profession’s recognition month comes to a close, I want to thank you for your continued membership and celebrate the impact physical therapy has on the health of your communities. Because our Chapter is growing, APTA has assigned one additional seat to Iowa’s delegation. Seven, instead of 6, colleagues will represent us at the House of Delegates in July 2026. Call for nominations for Chief Delegate and 3 delegates will arrive to your inbox soon. Our association and its work are primarily volunteer-based. I’m grateful for those who serve on the Board of Directors and committees . Their dedication to and passion for physical therapy is palpable. Please join me in thanking them for their time and efforts. As President, I attend the payor meetings with our Payment and Policy Committee (Randy Bolt, Steve Cassabaum, Blake Hardy, and Jason Putz). This team has developed positive working relationships with payor representatives and advocates for all physical therapy providers/services including sharing pain points from practice. Your input about insurance companies on the legislative priorities survey was also shared. October Board Meeting Highlights: Discussed plan for continued review and revision of Chapter Bylaws First step: member survey to gather input on proposed changes Survey will be released during the Chapter Business meeting on Nov. 10 Established an Early Professional Special Interest Group (EPSIG) This group is for students in their final program semester up to 5 years after graduation. Planning is underway! Watch for information in early 2026. Launched the refreshed website There was robust discussion at the Legislative Preparedness event . Several members signed up for the legislative committee and quick response team. This grassroots campaign is essential as we become more organized in our advocacy efforts at the state level. Monthly continuing education offerings are sponsored by the districts. Attendance is open to all members of our association at no cost. Non-members may register for a fee. District business meetings occur on the same evening. If your district is the host, I encourage you to participate in the business portion. Upcoming Events: Mental and Behavioral Health and Physical Therapy November 6 7:00 PM Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_43MSMZOTZyS4SCIT8UQUw#/registration Chapter Business Meeting November 10 12:10-12:50 PM Virtual meeting Delegate Election Electronic voting Thanks for your partnership, Sue Bravard PT, MS
