Candidate Statements

“ What do you feel are the major challenges affecting the Association and its membership and how will you address this in the office your are seeking, if elected?”

President

James M. Dunleavy, PT, MS

The Health care system of today has but one constant, what it looks like today is not how it will look in the future. The chapter has to be in a position to respond to these changes in practice settings to insure that the citizens of New York have access to quality physical therapy services. In order to do this we have to look at how we utilize our resources internally to maximize the return on our membership’s dollar and to develop new strategies to deal with the external challenges.

Within the association we need to continue to monitor the changes we have implemented in our governance process to insure that those changes have had the desired effect, namely quality outcomes at less cost. I plan to continue regular communications with the entire membership to give them the best information as quickly as possible. In addition, we have to be an active participant in the new APTA strategic planning initiatives that will incorporate all the chapters and sections into a comprehensive strategic plan for the profession.

Externally, our continued efforts in the reimbursement arena need to continue, while at the same time, we need to take a look at ourselves and determine what cost effective changes in the way we practice need to be explored in order to maintain a level of viability. I will look for the chapter to pursue educational opportunities for members to assist them in looking at their practice environment to see what changes can occur that can help them continue to provide the level of quality service their patients deserve.

The chapter is the tool that the profession utilizes to meet the needs of the members and the patients we serve. If elected, I would be proud to lead our chapter in meeting those needs.

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Vice-President

Mary P. Gannon, PT, MPA

Several forces external to the Association provide the greatest challenges to our membership as a whole. Low reimbursement, high co-pays, restricted number of visits and an escalating cost of health insurance effect each member, regardless of practice setting, and not only as a provider but also as a consumer. Those forces are colossal and cannot be resolved in a two year term nor through our Association’s sole effort.

We must develop strong relationships with similar associations, so that the issues can be addressed with a broader perspective and greater power. The President and I have met with the President and legislative liaison of the NYOTA to discuss issues of common interest and how we can begin to address them. We hope to work together to support mutually beneficial legislation and to defeat that which is not.

We must also tap into the resources of our National Association and collaborate with other chapters when our efforts are parallel. The knowledge and experience of others can assist us in developing a consistent message and a solid blueprint for us to follow as we begin to meet these challenges.

However, your elected officers cannot accomplish that without some help from each and every member. Your knowledge and experiences are valuable; share them with your District officials. We must all be positive, proactive and resilient.

My sincere thanks to the Nominating Committee for slating me.

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Shree Pandya, PT, MS

The Association and its membership face two major challenges. The more immediate challenge our members face is the need to demonstrate to the public, payers and regulators that physical therapists are the practitioners of choice for providing preventive and rehabilitative services across the lifespan and that they can deliver the best evidence based care that is cost effective. If elected, as Vice President I will have the opportunity to serve as the ex – officio member of the legislative, program, practice and research committees. I hope to work with the committee members to ensure that we assist and support our members in meeting this challenge. The long term challenge our profession faces is the need to continually refine and define the role of physical therapists in light of various external factors. The most challenging of these are 1) the changing demographics of the population in terms of age as well as ethnic and racial diversity, 2) the employment realities of a globalized world and the loss of healthcare coverage and/or burgeoning health care costs on individuals, 3) the opportunities and promise of advances in health care technologies and genetics. If elected, as Vice president I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and the Delegate Assembly to ensure that NYPTA plays a prominent role within the APTA in shaping the future of our profession.

My sincere thanks to the Nominating Committee. I am really honored and if elected, look forward to serving the members of NYPTA.

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Speaker of the Delegate Assembly

Peggy J. Lynam, PT, DPT, NCS

I believe that two of the most important challenges affecting NYPTA are getting more members, especially newer/younger members to volunteer for leadership positions at both the Chapter and District levels and increasing member participation in Chapter/District activities. In my opinion, there is a pressing need to distribute the work of the Chapter and Districts among more members both to prevent burn-out in current volunteers and to bring in fresh ideas to help the Chapter meet its goals.

As Speaker, I would try to facilitate increased participation in the Delegate Assembly since serving as a District Delegate can be a first step toward volunteering for other leadership positions. Personal interaction can be a very successful recruitment tool. Therefore, I would ask each District Delegate who participated in the Delegate Assembly one year to recruit one other member to consent to serve as a delegate at the next Delegate Assembly. This “recruited” member could be mentored throughout the year to meet their District’s criteria for serving as a District Delegate, so that they would be eligible to be elected as a delegate.

To address better participation of members in Chapter and District activities, I would encourage the same strategy of personal invitation. Each member who attends a District activity could invite a “non-active” member to attend the next meeting or to help with a specific task or event.

I look forward to expanding on these and other suggestions for increasing member participation in the NYPTA during the “Meet the Candidates” reception.

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Lynn Rivers, PT, PhD

In the last 10 years, both the APTA and NYPTA have grown in sophistication with increasing numbers of dedicated staff to meet membership needs and in the use of the internet to facilitate communication. However we remain challenged by:
1) limited participation and membership in our professional organization and
2) limited public awareness of the role and benefits of physical therapy

If I am elected to serve the NYPTA as Speaker of the Assembly, I would work with the NYPTA BOD to better use the internet through blogs and discussion boards for ongoing generation of ideas which would translate into motions for action or policy change at our state and national levels. I believe that our newest generations of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants would welcome an opportunity to “give voice” to their ideas through these media in addition to our traditional Delegate Assembly.

As Speaker of the Assembly, it will be important to facilitate debate and consensus of the Chapter about the best type of “branding” for physical therapy as a key first step in improved marketing and public relations. The APTA BOD and staff have been working diligently on several strategic aims around improved marketing and public awareness but reaching consensus on one “brand” icon which resonates for all practice settings and specialty areas is a key challenge. I believe that a focused NYPTA debate and consensus on a “brand” which is memorable to consumers and eliminates confusion is needed.

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Nominating Committee

Robert J. Byrnes, PT, MS, DPT

A major challenge facing the New York Physical Therapy Association is providing a full slate of excellent and dedicated candidates for our annual elections. Many of our board members have served faithfully for many years, and have returned many times when called. Some of them are approaching retirement, and new individuals need to come forward and be encouraged to take leadership roles. There is great talent in our districts that have either declined or not yet been asked to serve in a chapter office. As a candidate for the Nominating Committee, I will encourage the committee to develop stronger ties with the district nominating committees, and chairs to assist in the search for these talented candidates, and submit their names for consideration for nomination. If their local candidate is selected, to have them give the individual the encouragement and support to run for chapter office. There appears to be a resurgence in volunteerism and higher commitment to professionalism with the emergence our new Doctors of Physical Therapy. I believe it is critical to capture these individuals as emerging leaders to provide the future direction and growth of our organization.

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Posted 3/19/08

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