Being a student in the nation’s capital comes with unique opportunities, including having an occasional outdoor class on the National Mall and spending the day lobbying on Capitol Hill. This fall, for the first time in two years, George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences Doctoral of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participated in the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) annual Advocacy Day. During the event, clinicians and students from across the country had the opportunity to use their voices to contribute to advocacy efforts related to topics including Medicare cuts for physical therapy (PT) services, telehealth, education legislation, and physical therapy assistant (PTA) services.
Carlos Bautista and Anna Miller, the program’s Physical Therapy Student Organization (PTSO) APTA Representatives, helped lead the charge during a meeting with the office of Washington DC Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. Bautista highlighted the importance of communicating with local politicians and staffers: “Even though it's a one day event, our efforts need to be continuous. One day isn’t going to make the changes happen. The more people talk about it the more likely things are to change." Miller added that participation in APTA Advocacy Day taught her the importance of speaking up for your profession.
Both Bautista and Miller said that they were surprised that students got to play such an active role in the event and that the representatives were so open to communication. Both students felt that GW’s DPT program prepared them well for the event. “As student representatives for the APTA. We’ve been involved since we were 1st years, looking into issues and learning about them before giving info to the rest of the class”, said Bautista. Miller included that it was helpful that the students were given the day off from school, so every student could participate.
“We are able to learn these skills as a student so that we can carry them over into our professional career. Having the number of students that we had made a difference and let the legislators hear different perspectives”, said Miller. “Congress is slow. Between passing bills and voting, it takes years for an effort to come to fruition. By starting now, we can have an impact on things that we will see later while we're practicing” added Bautista.
GW DPT is excited to continue their involvement in APTA Advocacy Day and other legislative initiatives. Miller’s best advice for GW DPT students is to not be afraid to get involved. “Get out of your comfort zone and step up when you have the chance.”