APTA North Carolina

06/12/2026

for our most recent Diversity Student Scholarship winner Naomi Lockamy of Elon DPT Program- applications for all 6 of our student scholarships are due on June 30: https://lnkd.in/ec6vECjK

06/11/2026

Our Early Professionals SIG hosted an enlightening and inspirational PTA panel in April, highlighting the impactful role of physical therapist assistants in our healthcare system- enjoy this highlight from the webinar, where Bené Burpee, PTA breaks down the most optimal way to introduce PTAs to patients

06/08/2026

Our Capital Region sponsored the Duke DPT 5K on Sunday, May 17, when 65 runners helped raise over $3,000 for through registrations, raffles, and fundraising efforts; Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy students also did a takeover of the Instagram account on race day to share live updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments

06/06/2026

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Thank you to our Final Frontier Sponsors for being part of Student Conclave! Your support helps bring this event to life and creates meaningful experiences for PT students across the state. We are incredibly grateful for your contribution and support of the future of the profession.

06/04/2026

Thank you to our Legacy Sponsors

Thank you to our Legacy Sponsors for your generous support of Student Conclave! Your commitment to empowering students and advancing the profession helps create opportunities for growth, connection, and leadership for future PTs and PTAs across North Carolina.

06/03/2026

Thank you to our Premier Sponsors

A huge thank you to our Premier Sponsors for supporting the future of physical therapy and helping make APTA North Carolina Student Conclave possible. Your continued support, leadership, and investment in students truly make an impact, and we are so grateful to have you as part of this event!

06/01/2026

Our next Free Member Webinar "Everything But Epley: Expanding Your BPPV Toolbox" will be presented by Jill Nappi-Kaehler, PT, DPT, NCS, DHSc at 7 pm on Wednesday, June 10: https://lnkd.in/egcPGvHc

05/29/2026

APTA North Carolina May, 2026 Advocacy Spotlight: John I. Orta, PT, DPT

WHO?
Dr. Orta earned a BS in Sports & Exercise Science and Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo (1991, 1993) and has practiced in North Carolina since 1994. He completed his DPT at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona, in 2014. His experience spans inpatient, skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient care, and he previously served as a rehab director before opening a private practice in Elkin, NC.

For 25 years, he has been a team physician/first responder for a local high school, supporting football and wrestling, contributing to four state football championships and one wrestling title. He has served as an APTA NC Delegate since 2016, is the current Chapter Secretary (second term), and previously held roles as Mountain Region Director and Foothills Chair.

WHAT?
Dr. Orta played a key role in a recent advocacy victory in North Carolina—the inclusion of physical therapists in the Gfeller-Waller Act. This law requires schools to have appropriately licensed healthcare providers available to evaluate student-athletes and support safe return-to-play decisions at all levels. John identified that physical therapists were not included in the Act’s original language, brought this to the attention of APTA NC, and actively participated in lobbying and advocacy efforts to help drive this important change.

WHY ADVOCACY?
“We are on the brink of some fantastic changes within our profession. With the recent additions of dry needling, spinal manipulation, and now concussion management/return to play for NC high school athletes, my hope is that others will see the importance of progressing our abilities of what we are capable of, and volunteer in some manner to help. The impact of volunteers is crucial and we do not want other professions (ATCs, Chiropractors...etc) to lead our future. I have approached this with the question that we should all ask ourselves, ‘If not me, then who will?’”

05/26/2026

Scholarship application deadline extended to June 30, 2026: https://www.aptanc.org/scholarships

05/25/2026

Today we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. Join us in honoring their sacrifice. 🇺🇸