APTA Kansas

05/18/2026

Please join us in congratulating BJ Lehecka PT, DPT, PhD on receiving the Dorothy E. Baethke–Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching from the American Physical Therapy Association.

This national award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to physical therapy education through exceptional academic teaching, mentorship, leadership, and dedication to student learning.

BJ’s passion for education, commitment to student success, and impact on the next generation of physical therapists continue to shape and strengthen our profession.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your continued leadership in physical therapy education!

05/18/2026

Please join us in congratulating Sandra Billinger, PhD, PT, FAHA, FAPTA, on being named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA) — APTA’s highest membership honor.

This distinguished recognition celebrates individuals whose sustained leadership, service, innovation, and impact have advanced the physical therapy profession at a national level over the course of their careers.

Sandy’s dedication to research, advocacy, mentorship, and the advancement of physical therapy continues to leave a lasting impact on our profession and the communities we serve. Congratulations on this incredibly well-deserved honor!

05/18/2026

05/09/2026

Thank you for the support! American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

05/08/2026

⚠️ PT student loan access is under threat!

A new federal rule could drastically reduce the amount of federal student aid available to physical therapy students, creating new barriers for future PTs and worsening healthcare workforce shortages.

We need your voice 📣

Congress is considering legislation to help protect affordable access to PT education so this is your chance to help take action!

Support the future of our profession by taking a few minutes to send an email to your members of Congress urging them to support these pieces of legislation here:

https://apta.quorum.us/campaign/161726/

05/05/2026

Join Our Growing Physical Therapy Team!

We’re expanding our Physical Therapy Department, and we want YOU to be part of it!

Our exciting new project includes:
A HydroWorx Therapy Pool
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Women’s Health Rehabilitation
Private Treatment Rooms
A larger, state-of-the-art gym space

The expansion is scheduled for completion in November 2026, and we’re looking for a Physical Therapist eager to help us launch these new services and grow with our team!

Competitive pay and excellent benefits, which include employer paid health insurance, KPERS Retirement, Life Insurance and more!

We are a 12-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Coldwater, Kansas, dedicated to providing high-quality care close to home. If you’re ready to join a supportive team and make a difference in our community, contact: Lisa Brooks, Administrator or Lisa Girk, PT at 620-582-2144.

04/22/2026

Our very own Kansas PT’s are in DC right now advocating for us and our patients, along with other delegates from other states. AJ Thomas and Marsha Lawrence are speaking with Kansas congressional legislators and representatives this week (including Representative Sharice Davids!) regarding issues that affect our profession and our patients!

Thanks to AJ and Marsha for your advocacy!

04/16/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our 2026 APTA KS Spring Conference sponsors! Your generosity makes it possible to bring together physical therapy professionals for a day of learning, connection, and growth. We are so grateful for your support! 💙

04/12/2026

Congratulations to all of our platform and poster presenters!

The dedication, innovation, and passion behind each project continue to push our profession forward! We’re proud to celebrate the incredible work shared this year.

Pictured here are our award winners from each presentation category:

🏆 Best Platform Presenters
Walking with Head Turns Increases Gait Instability in Adults with Dynamic Balance Impairments
Joo Hyun Lee, Taryn Jones, Kacee Coast, Prabhakar Chalise, Carl Luchies, Linda J. D’Silva

The Relative Importance of Facilitators of ACL Prevention – A Real-Time Delphi with Mixed-Methods Analysis
Justin Trent, Andrew Biertzer, Brian Culloton, Braden Fiscus, Tyler Gelsomino, Jacob Simon, Grant Thompson

🏆 Best Research Poster – Scientific Inquiry Award
Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions and Physiotherapy Referral
Kisna Patel, Lauren Caughlin, Sami Gholitabar, Melanie Meister, Eileen Coughenour, Audriana Angeles, Sarah Kessler, Neena K. Sharma

🏆 Best Poster – Clinician
Integrating Sleep Health into Outpatient Physical Therapy Practice: Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility Project
Catherine Siengsukon, Gerard Harker, Thomas Riggs, Kurt Mason, Claude Lamoureux, Tommy Van Towle

🏆 Best Entry-Level DPT Student – Scientific Inquiry Award
Current Usage of Trigger Point Dry Needling in Patients with Generalized Hypermobility: A Descriptive Survey
Nicole Clark, Katlyn Dedmon, Alissa Dundes Schmidt, Adrienne Johnson, Lenisa Tomasini, Chris Kinslow

Incredible work by all! Your contributions are shaping the future of physical therapy, and we’re honored to highlight your impact 💙

04/11/2026

Thank you, Michelle Fichtner 💙
Three years of dedicated service as APTA KS Secretary, and an impact that will last far beyond. We are so grateful for all you’ve done!