With the assistance of TPTA, a select group of PT and PTA students were sponsored to attend Capitol Hill Day 2024 in Washington D.C. Thank you to the students and professional PTs and PTAs from Texas who attended and advocated for the physical therapy profession on a national level.

As a 3rd year physical therapy student from UT Health Science Center – San Antonio I had the privilege of representing the constituents of New Braunfels, Texas. I was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and attend the APTA Capitol Hill Day. As a first-time attendee, I learned the power of our voices and the importance of advocating for our patients. In advocating for a necessary change in our profession, I was able to combine my academic, professional, and personal clinical experiences. As a result of this experience, I was able to create new professional relationships and develop relationships with several active members of the APTA and legislative assistants.  This was a tremendously rewarding and inspiring experience. I left feeling inspired to continue growing as a life-long advocator and to keep participating and advocating for our patients.

- Erika Platz, SPT

The buzz of Capitol Hill Day(s) was enticing. For two days, I had the privilege of soaking in the energy of some of the most driven and passionate people in the field of physical therapy today. We had convened in the nation’s capital to make a concerted push to garner the support of our congress people for several legislative issues. People ask, what’s the point, when I’m just a student, with minimal experience, competing with so many other interests vying for the attention of our politicians. Will they really listen? I can’t answer that. I don’t know if I succeeded in bringing them over to our side, even after sharing a compelling story of seeing how falls and the fear of it have been a drastic brunt to our elders and how physical therapy has been life-changing for them. What I do know is that they took some good notes. And I also know that my story, and the numerous others of my colleagues, has made a chip in the stone, maybe even a crack. The next time they see physical therapy on a bill in the House or Senate, they will be a little more educated, a little more enlightened about the transformative power that physical therapy can have on the health of our communities. They may even soon find that they can relate, if they haven’t already, and they will remember our grandmas and grandpas and our loved ones who inspired us to become physical therapists and who are now the symbol for the changes we are campaigning for. So that’s the point. Uplift our stories, our voices, our demands for a more equitable and healthy society. Fight the good fight. The future of the profession is in our hands.

- Do Kyung Yun, SPT

First, I would like to thank the TPTA for giving me a scholarship opportunity to attend APTA Capitol Hill Day on April 15-16th. It was a unique experience that allowed me to see how the APTA operates at the national level and how important advocacy can be for our profession. This will be an experience I take back to the local level at my district in El Paso, as well as my future professional career as a clinician. Again, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank everyone at the TPTA for allowing me to experience it.

- Brandon Vaughn, SPT

My experience at Capitol Hill Day was truly eye-opening. I learned a great deal about the legislative processes that are essential for physical therapists to effectively fulfill their roles. This experience ignited a passion for advocacy within me, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity. I have already begun discussing with my professors and classmates about how we can actively participate and make our voices heard. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone at TPTA for their unwavering dedication and hard work, which not only advances our profession but also greatly benefits the public.

- Rachel Munoz, SPT

Advocacy always seems like such a daunting task, especially as a student. It is easy to question the value of your voice and the impact that it can make. Up until this event, I had only been to a couple of National Advocacy Dinners that my school hosted. This year was my first time attending the APTA’s Capitol Hill Day, and through my experience, I was able to gain confidence in my voice and see that my knowledge, even as a student, is still valuable. Having a mix of experiences among participants was helpful because it was comforting to not be the only new person, but also have individuals with more familiarity as resources to ask for help and guidance. It was also a great networking opportunity, as I met several other students and clinicians from my state and even the city that I live in. Having practicing clinicians at our side was a great way to gain another perspective on the issues being discussed. As nerve-racking as the meetings were, I felt very well prepared and supported going into them. It was a very positive experience to have the chance to discuss with lawmakers legislation that will help to continue the success of the profession of physical therapy. It was even more meaningful to have those legislative staffs be receptive to the bills that were discussed. At the end of the day, I felt very empowered and made partaking in future advocacy less intimidating. This is an event that I would definitely participate in again and I have been encouraging others to attend as well! I am so thankful to the TPTA for allowing me the opportunity to participate in this event!

- Avery Ellis-Byerly, SPT