Quick Links:
Student SIG News
Student SIG Events
Student Special Interest Group Meet and Greet
APTA Michigan Student Special Interest Group Student Conclave
APTA Michigan Legislative Day
Get Connected!
Throughout your student career and beyond stay connected with the news and events related to physical therapy through social media. Facebook is great way to keep track of events near your home and throughout the nation. Want to join the #PTconversation, join Twitter! Be sure to connect to each link below to stay in the know!
APTA Michigan Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) Facebook
APTA Student Assembly (SA) Facebook
APTA Michigan Eastern District
APTA Michigan Western District
APTA Michigan Upper Peninsula District
APTA Michigan Northern District
THIS IS JUST A START! BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE APTA SECTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL!
Student Special Interest Group (SSIG)
Responsibilities
- Provide opportunities for networking, education, resources, leadership and advocacy for APTA Michigan student members.
- Promote student membership and encourage life-long engagement in the state and national professional associations.
- Provide student focused physical therapy education through Michigan Student Conclave, National Advocacy Dinners, and additional formats as developed by the Student SIG.
- Provide Student SIG members the tools and skills to continue to engage in the professional association as they transition to professional members.
- Increase awareness of opportunities available for students to participate in governance, advocacy, and volunteering through social media, email, and additional modes of communication.
- Provide financial support as able to assist students in participating in association events at the state and national levels.
- Coordinate with Student SIGs at the national level.
Student Opportunities
- While physical therapy school is expensive, scholarships are available through federal/state organizations and private organizations. https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/honors-and-awards
- The APTA Michigan Institute has a scholarship available to student in their final year of a Michigan PT program who will be graduating prior to June 30 of the following year. https://aptami.org/institute-education-research/
- Every year the APTA Michigan solicits recommendations for “Outstanding Student” from all PT and PTA programs. https://aptami.org/awards/
- National Scholarships and Awards can be found here: https://www.apta.org/for-students/scholarships-awards
- Opportunities to continue education following graduation include pursuing residency and fellowship opportunities. http://www.abptrfe.org/home.aspx
- Visit our Get Connected! page on the left to keep up to date with all opportunities during your school career. Some APTA sections offer specific student sponsorships and mentorship.
Involvement Opportunities
Welcome to the profession of physical therapy! One of the best ways to spark your passion for your new career and join the physical therapy community is to get involved. There are many ways you can get involved as a PT or PTA student with varying levels of leadership opportunities and time commitments. There is a role for everyone, contact the SSIG at contact@aptami.org to find the role that most aligns with your interests and brings out your strengths!
Positions
- APTA Michigan Student Liaison to the MI Delegation
- Serve a one-year appointed term and attend the APTA House of Delegates with the Michigan delegation
- Click Here for a video about this position.
- For more information about applying click here
- Apply to become a House Usher to the APTA House of Delegates
- Student SIG Board Member
- Email SSIG at contact@aptami.org if interested
- Nominations accepted in January/February
- Elections occur at the annual Student Conclave
- Volunteer for Student SIG Committee
- Accepted at any time. Contact SSIG at contact@aptami.org if interested
- School Student Representative
- Every PT and PTA school requires 2 student representatives for each cohort.
- If interested contact SSIG at contact@aptami.org or the Michigan Core Ambassador at aptasa.coremi@gmail.com to see if there is need for a student representative. You can also ask your APTA Michigan faculty representative if the position is already filled for your cohort.
Get involved on the national level:
- Join an APTA Student Assembly (SA) Project Committee
- Run for the APTA-SA Board of Directors
- Become a Core Ambassador (elected by APTA Student Assembly in February)
- Click here for more information on student involvement in the APTA
- Contact the APTA Student Assembly Core Ambassadors for Michigan at aptasa.coremi@gmail.com for questions on how to get involved on the national level.
Want to get involved but not sure what role will be best for you? We can help! Email us at contact@aptami.org
Check out our Michigan Student Involvement Guide.
Student Membership Benefits
We hope that you know we value you! We want to help you explore your membership by regularly sharing some perks (that you may or may not be aware of). Look out for monthly emails sharing additional membership benefits!
Check out these resources that will be helpful for you as a student and professional clinician.
Find Clinical Summaries here: https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/clinical-summaries
Search for Articles here: https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/article-search
If you can’t find what you’re looking for the APTA has a librarian, you can email at articlesearch@apta.org for help with any searching needs!
Find Clinical Practice Guidelines here: https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/cpgs
Find tests and measures for patient examination here: https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/test-measures
Check out the Rehabilitation Reference Center here (https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/rehabilitation-reference-center) for information on various diagnoses and medications, patient education resources, and more! It has great resources to look up information for clinicals or for class assignments!
You can find information and resources on specific interventions here: https://www.apta.org/patient-care/interventions
The Guide to Physical Therapy Practice if FREE to members and can be found here: http://guidetoptpractice.apta.org/
As a Member you have access to the journal Physical Therapy. Many of the sections and academies also additional access to journal if you join. Check out PTJ here https://academic.oup.com/ptj
Many students find membership to APTA sections to be one of the best benefits. Valuable information specific to your interests and access to a community of clinicians who share your passion in Sports PT, Neurology, Women’s Health, Acute Care, Orthopaedic, Cardiopulmonary, Home Health, Pediatrics, Federal, Geriatrics and more! Check out the different sections here (https://aptaapps.apta.org//componentconnection/chaptersandsections.aspx?UniqueKey=) and explore their membership benefits as a student at a reduced price.
Resources for debt management and repayment can be found here: https://www.apta.org/your-career/financial-management
Student Special Interest Group Leadership (SSIG)
Current: Nicole Hawes, SPT (WSU)
Duties: Create agendas and lead meetings. Coordinate development of and completion of Student SIG goals. Update Student SIG membership annually at Student Conclave
Current: Celine Balaghi, SPT (WSU)
Duties: Chair committees as needed. Assist president in leading meetings, creating agendas, and coordinating efforts of the Student SIG Board
Current: Grace Cummings, SPT (CMU)
Duties: Document meeting minutes and organize Student SIG board communication. Write update for Shorelines newsletter quarterly. Submit website updates to APTA Michigan executive director
Vacant: email contact@aptami.org if you are interested in this position
Duties: Provide input and organize events to engage PTA schools. Assist in communication with PTA programs. Provide PTA perspective for Student SIG board decisions.Current: Jared Gregory, SPT (GVSU)
Duties: Contact and coordinate conclave speakers. Communicate with APTA Michigan executive director on speaker and programming needs for Conclave.
Current: Nadine Shakra, SPT (WSU)
Duties: Contact previous and potential sponsors for Student Conclave. Communicate with APTA Michigan executive director to facilitate sponsors. Assist sponsors at the Student Conclave event.
Current: Sarah Parker, SPT (GVSU)
Duties: Assists in organization of community service opportunities. Organizes events to improve student engagement. Promotes opportunities available to students in the state.
Current: Drew Degener, SPT (GVSU)
Duties: Create and share news/events on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Create promotional material as needed for the Student SIG board. Creates regular posts on social media to engage students and provide resources.
Current: Samantha Behl, SPT (GVSU)
Duties: Appointed by the APTA Michigan BOD to serve as resources for the Student SIG BOD and membership. Facilitates continuity in transitions of Student SIG boards.
Katelyn Beam, PT, DPT
Get Involved!
Being involved as a APTA Michigan Student gets you noticed, makes great connections with future employers, and demonstrates you are serious about your Profession. Contact the APTA Michigan Office to learn about ways to volunteer.
