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2021 -- H 6344 Enacted 05/18/2021

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (APTA) IN 2021

Introduced By: Representatives Fenton-Fung, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, C Lima, Filippi,

Date Introduced: May 18, 2021

WHEREAS, Reconstruction aides, strong women who were the predecessors to current

physical therapists, were integral to the recovery of many World War I soldiers and demonstrated

their value as medical professionals and war heroes, showing that those who would eventually be

known as physical therapists had a major role to play in the future of America’s health; and

WHEREAS, Mary McMillan, a reconstruction aide, was elected in 1921 as the first

president of the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island chapter was founded in 1931 and continues today,

representing 500 physical therapists, assistants and students; and

WHEREAS, The University of Rhode Island graduated its first class of physical

therapists in 1991, and as of 2007, all graduating physical therapists are educated at the clinical

doctoral level. A total of 686 physical therapists have graduated from this program, with 27 more

graduating in May of 2021; and

WHEREAS, The Community College of Rhode Island graduated its first class of

physical therapy assistants in 1993, and to date 488 students have graduated from this program;

and

WHEREAS, The New England Institute of Technology graduated its first class of

physical therapy assistants in 2010, and to date 401 students have graduated from this program;

and

WHEREAS, The vision of the physical therapy profession is: transforming society by

optimizing movement to improve the human experience; and

WHEREAS, Given that the United States Department of Health & Human Services

indicates that more than 80 percent of adults and adolescents do not get enough physical activity

and that regular activity is one of the most important ways to improve health, physical therapists

and physical therapist assistants are critical to health services teams as movement experts who

improve quality of life by addressing pain or chronic conditions that limit participation in

activities, and by reducing the risk for chronic diseases, enhancing fitness, and preventing injuries

through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement based on rigorous research;

and

WHEREAS, Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants treat people where they

are, providing care to people in many settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient

clinics, homes, schools, sports teams and fitness facilities, the United States Armed Services,

veterans facilities, work settings, and nursing homes; and

WHEREAS, Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants treat individuals across

their lifespan and have clinical expertise in 18 specialty areas: Acute Care, Aquatics,

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, Education,

Federal, Geriatrics, Hand and Upper Extremity, Health Policy and Administration, Home Health,

Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Pelvic Health, Private Practice, Research, and

Sports; and

WHEREAS, Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants have faced the challenge

of the COVID-19 pandemic head on, playing an essential role in treating people who are

recovering from the effects of the novel coronavirus, for as long as it takes to improve and restore

function; and

WHEREAS, The American Physical Therapy Association is the leading professional

membership organization for the physical therapy profession, with the mission of building a

community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society;

now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes the 100th Anniversary of the American Physical Therapy Association in 2021; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes the American Physical Therapy

Association for its dedication to improving the health of society over the past 100 years, and also

recognizes that the APTA and its members are essential partners to meeting the future health and

wellness needs of our country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Chapter of the American

Physical Therapy Association.

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LC002836

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