The 18th Annual Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference (ELC 2023) recently concluded in the historic city of Philadelphia, focusing on the sweeping theme of “Pursuing Excellence and Innovation in Physical Therapy Education.” Hosted from October 13-15, the conference centered on the universal issues experienced in higher education, with a keen lens on the nuances of healthcare professional education.
This conference, an initiative between The APTA Academy of Education (The Academy) and the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), served as a beacon for stakeholders in the realm of healthcare education. The attendees spanned a diverse spectrum, including PT and PTA program directors, educators, and other esteemed professionals deeply invested in the future of healthcare education.
Three standout sessions captured the attendees’ attention, steered by the expertise of Dr. Harshavardhan V. Deoghare and his distinguished collaborators:
1. Integrating Health Humanities into Physical Therapy Education: This illuminating session, bolstered by insights from experts such as Dr. Cynthia Brown Dodds and Dr. Nathaniel Alden Brown, underlined the growing significance of a holistic, humanities-based approach in PT education. The session equipped faculty with tools to seamlessly incorporate disciplines like literature, philosophy, and arts into the healthcare curriculum, emphasizing their role in fostering empathy, critical thinking, and cultural understanding in budding professionals.
2. Revisiting the Leadership Compass: Addressing the leadership vacuum in higher healthcare education, this session pivoted on the ACAPT Leadership Compass as a pivotal tool. Led by stalwarts like Dr. Amy E. Heath and Dr. Harshavardhan V. Deoghare, the discussion highlighted the need for dynamic, adaptable leaders to navigate the rapidly changing landscapes of academia and healthcare. The session provided actionable tools and insights, allowing participants to harness the Compass for leadership development across academia, clinical settings, and professional domains.
3. Fiscal Fitness: Financial Gymnastics for Physical Therapy Department Chairs: An unequivocal highlight, this session was driven by the dynamic duo of AVP of Financial Management, Raymond Garcia, and Dr. Deoghare. Focusing on the financial intricacies and challenges faced by higher education institutions, they unraveled strategies for optimal budgeting and resource management. This session, built on the foundational insights of Dr. Tim Wood (AVP, Director Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)) and CFO & Treasurer Joshua McFarlen, was a treasure trove of actionable financial knowledge. Participants lauded the comprehensive Landon training material and financial analysis resources they received, marking it as one of the conference’s crowning jewels.
In shedding light on the multifaceted challenges of higher healthcare professional education, ELC 2023 not only diagnosed current pain points but also prescribed innovative strategies, ensuring that educators and institutions are well-equipped to navigate the evolving terrains of healthcare education.