Leading from the Front

I recently had the pleasure of attending the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Boston this year. With over 16,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students in attendance, the energy and excitement was palpable.

As a physical therapist at my 7th CSM, I'm still amazed at the sheer scale of sessions, speakers, exhibits, and attendees. Just the massive logistics involved in this event should amaze people.

During CSM, I had an insightful conversation with Sharon Vitti from ATI Physical Therapy about the announcements and developments that came out of this year's conference. A major highlight was the launch of the ATI iMSKA (Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement), created to drive innovation in musculoskeletal care through research, education, and partnerships.

From their press release, iMSKA is, "dedicated to progressing quality clinical care with a focus on value. It was established to offer long-lasting and ongoing contributions to the growing body of scientific knowledge and evidence in the management of patients with MSK conditions."

This institute provides opportunities for ATI's own clinicians to pursue projects utilizing outcomes data, teaching, and more. External organizations will also be able to collaborate on cutting-edge initiatives. Through the institute, the hope is to uncover new passions among ATI staff and form strategic alliances over the next five years. The institute itself develops out of recognizing demands and questions from ATI partners on the frontlines of patient care.

Our conversation then turned to how organizations like ATI Physical Therapy are focused on continually improving their culture and quality of care. Something that maybe 10 years ago was further down the list of importance of most companies. But today Sharon highlighted that leaders must understand the existing cultural values and norms when joining a new organization, so that they can empower staff and build upon that foundation. ATI uses various methods to evaluate quality and culture, such as listening tours, new benefits offerings, and leadership development programs. By investing in their people and culture, they are better able to provide an outstanding patient experience. This value add is something many current and new therapists are seeking out in their top three values when choosing an employer.

Attending this energetic PT conference and learning about the latest advancements in the field was truly inspiring. It is an exciting time to be part of this profession!

Let me know if you would like me to elaborate on any part of this conversation and the new institute launch. I'm happy to provide more details from an insider's perspective.

Full Episode available here: LISTEN

More information about what joining ATI is like here: GO DEEPER