Eastern District
Newsletter
Updated March 13, 2008
Welcome
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information to eastern district members and other interested parties regarding local, state and national events as well as fill you in on the accomplishments of our district. The Eastern district includes 13 counties: Albany, Clinton, and Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. Please join us at our next meeting or contact us if you would like to become more involved or to share news. Board meetings are open to all members so please feel free to join us.
"Reconstruction of Large Skeletal Defects Around the Knee: An Orthopedic Oncology Model."
Presented by Dr. Matthew DiCaprio, MD
WEDNESDAY, 4/2/08 @ 7 PM @ Sunnyview Hospital Small Dining Room
Dr. DiCaprio has been with Schenectady Regional Orthopedic Associates since 2004. He is a Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Oncology at Albany Medical College. After receiving his medical degree from Upstate Medical University at Syracuse, he attended Yale University School of Medicine and University of Florida School of Medicine for his Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship.
6:00 PM - Elections for openings on the Executive Board of Eastern District will be held along with Eastern District Updates.
Cost: Non- NYPTA members: $5 NYPTA members: Free with membership card
From the North: Route 87 to Exit 9 Clifton Park West on Route 146 to Balltown Rd. Left on Balltown Road to right on Providence Ave. to left on Belmont Avenue From the South: New York State Thruway to Exit 25.West on I-890 to exit 6 Michigan Avenue. Right off exit ramp onto Michigan Avenue,
Right onto State Street at second set of lights, Left onto McClellan Street at first set of lights. Pass Schenectady High School on left. Go through two sets of lights to Belmont Avenue on left.
Nominating Committee
The Executive Committee of the Eastern District would like to congratulate the following people who were elected to represent us at Delegate Assembly May 2008:
Kathleen Schultz,Colleen Backus,Chrissy Cedilotte, Sharon Marion, Janet-Hakey-Brusgel, Crystal Walker, Tracy Sawyer, Linda Scheuer. Affiliate Delegate: Rose Wehnau. (Chief Delegate is the Chair Katesel Strimbeck)
And as District Delegate to HOD in 2008:
Kathleen Schultz
Alternate 1. Katesel Strimbeck
Alternate 2. Patricia Blackman.
The following member was elected to the Nominating Committee
Linda Conway
2007 House of Delegates
Submitted by: Christine Cedilote PT, Eastern District Designated Delegate
The 2007 House of Delegates (HOD) was held in Washington, DC, May 20-23, 2007. HOD brings together leaders from all over the country (395 PT’s and 404 eligible votes this year) from all chapters and components to discuss and debate a variety of issues regarding policies and positions of the APTA. Twenty five physical therapists carrying 27 votes and one physical therapist assistant from New York State attended this year’s HOD. The HOD is an incredible experience for all those in attendance. Delegates with a vote are elected to attend, but anyone can attend and sit in the gallery to listen.
There were 40 motions that were assigned a Reference Committee number (RC’s) that were written for the HOD by various chapters or components in the APTA. On May 20th, NYS delegates caucused to discuss the RC’s and the position of our members in NYS as discussed in our State Delegate Assembly. Delegates also attended pre-house discussion groups in their assigned RC groups to hear what other chapters and components discussed about their assigned RC’s. Candidate interviews for the APTA were held on May 21st. NYS delegates again caucused and the HOD started. The President of the APTA, Scott Ward, presented the President’s report, which will be included in the May 2007 issue of PT magazine. John Barnes will be the new APTA CEO starting July 16th, after the retirement of Frank J. Mallon. The HOD continued on the 22nd and APTA elections were held. The 2007 results for the APTA offices include: Secretary Babette S. Sanders, PT, MS; Vice Speaker Laurita M. Hack, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA; Directors Sharon L. Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS, Dianne V. Jewell, PT, PhD, CCS, FAACVPR, and Stephen C. F McDavitt, PT, MS,FAAOMPT; Nominating Committee Janet L. Downey, PT, MPT, PCS and Paul A. Hildreth, PT, DPT, MPH. The HOD concluded on the 23rd.
Specific information on the RC’s can be found on the APTA website, the May 25, 2007 PT bulletin online, and the chief delegate report. RC 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 14, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 35, and 37 were adopted. The APTA HOD demonstrated that leaders of physical therapy are collaborating to move our profession forward toward the APTA’s Vision 2020.
The Advocacy Academy and PT Day on the Hill was held May 22-24, 2007. Five hundred fifty PT’s, PTA’s, and students from all 50 states gathered to improve their advocacy skills and promote PT issues to members of Congress. Three key issues were discussed with congressional offices: 1. the need to remove therapy caps on outpatient rehabilitation services, 2. the importance of debt repayment for physical therapy students choosing to practice in underserved areas, and 3. the benefits of direct access to physical therapy services (currently there are 44 states with direct access).
Legislative Committee - submitted by Doreen Frank
Another successful Lobby Day was held in May with several Eastern District members attending to continue fostering their relationships with our state assembly members and state senators. Thanks to Trish Blackman for organizing the appointments. The reception at the end of the day was capped off with a visit from Majority Leader Joe Bruno who came to congratulate us on the passage of the Patient Choice to Direct Access law. The current goals of our lobbying and educating the legislators concerns the current limitations in coverage and reimbursement or rather lack of reimbursement by so many insurance carriers. Patients with high co-pays and reduced number of visits are making the decision to forego PT secondary to what they perceive to be too much cost. Members have expressed concern about the high cost of delivering services while the workers comp/no-fault fee has not been increased since 1986. Members have also noted increasing problems with insurance carriers who contract with UR companies that routinely require extra paperwork for authorization that clearly are cases requiring skilled PT be continued. NYPTA remains opposed to referral for profit situations and to the ownership of PT practices by business corporations or non-PTS. The chapter is requesting that we send personal anecdotes and data if available of how your office/hospital department has been affected by referral for profit situations. NYPTA has added a Reimbursement Specialist who will assist us in many matters. Please see the home page for nypta.org Encroachment of PT by other professions and reduction in early intervention services is being monitored regularly.
NYPTA remains opposed to any restriction of a PT performing manipulation/mobilization.
Stay tuned for updates regarding the signing of legislation by the Governor that adds midwives to the list of practitioners that may refer a patient for PT.
Nominating Committee - Submitted by Christine Cedilotte, PT, DPT, MS
Elections were held during the April 18, 2007 Eastern District meeting. Results include: Vice Chairperson Tracy Sawyer, Treasurer Janet Hakey-Brusgul, Chapter Director Kathleen Schultz and Member at Large Rose Wehnau. Congratulations to all elected officers. One nominating committee member and a secretary position are still open at this time. Anyone interested in either position should contact the nominating committee. Dennis Judd is the new chairperson of the nominating committee.
Public Relations Committee - submitted by Tracy Sawyer
The PR Committee invites you to let us know what activities you think are important in our district so please contact Tracy Sawyer at tracysawyer@yahoo.com or (518) 842-1007 with any ideas, information or questions.
It is not a huge time commitment to spread the word about PT if we have enough people willing and able to help out. Some recent accomplishments that put Physical Therapy and what we do in front of the consumers in Eastern District included:
- 1.Provided informational brochures, answered questions and performed postural screenings to the participants/registrants who attended the Health Expo at the Empire State Concourse where runners enrolled for the Freihofer's Run for Women.
- Participated in the Colonie Center Senioer Expo where seniors were screened for balance and risk of falls. Informational brochures were available as well.
- Submitted a press release educating consumers on the benefits of a walking program to several newspapers sold in the Eastern district
- We sponsored a commercial that was aired during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and once during prime time of the Olympics broadcast on our local NBC affiliate.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Officer/Committee Information 2006-2007
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairperson
Katesel Strimbeck
63 Constitution Ct.
Glenmont, NY 12077-3220
(H) 518-439-6429
(W) 518-458-0754
katesels@nycap.rr.com
Vice Chairperson
Tracy Sawyer
387 Merry Road
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(H) 842-1007
(Cell) 225-0619
TracySawyer@yahoo.com
Secretary
Sharon Marion
510 Acre Dr
Schenectady, NY12303-5237
(W) 356-3139
Treasurer
Janet Hakey-Brusgul
776 AltamontVoorheesville Road
Altamont, NY 12009
(H) 765-2072
(W) 244-2348 or
(W) 356-3139 (T/Th evenings)
hakeyj@sage.edu
Director
Kathleen Schulze,PT,DPT
24 Bulkley Street
Williamstown, MA 01267
(H) 413-458-4933
(W) 518-244-2039
schulk@sage.edu
AT LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Patricia Blackman
29 Colehammer Avenue
Troy, NY 12180-7114
(H) 279-1548
pwblackman@juno.com
Rose Wehnau
2121 Sixth Avenue
Troy, NY 12180-2849
(H) (518) 274-0230
(W) (518) 274-0276
rosewehnau@aol.com
Newsletter Editor
Doreen Frank
2 Empire Drive, Suite 202
Rensselaer, NY 12144-5730
(W) 286-3990
Dkfcpt@mac.com
Legislative Liaison
Patricia Blackman
29 Colehammer Avenue
Troy, NY
(H) 279-1548
pwblackman@juno.com
Membership Liaison
Donna P. Brown
5 Madison Street
Granville, NY 12832-1209
(H)
(W) 518-642-9519
donnajpt@comcast.net
Student Liaison
Kim Markel
Reimbursement Liaisons
Cindy Gabriel
North Country PT
336 State Rt. 29
Greenwich, NY 12834
(W) 695-4072
cgabriel@spa.net
Kathy Paul
14 Jenna Lane
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
(H) 753-4312
(W) 238-4009
paulk@healthnet.com
PTA Liaison
Rose Wehnau
2121 Sixth Avenue
Troy, NY 12180-2849
(H) (518) 274-0230
(W) (518) 274-0276
Research Liaison
Laura Gras
Public Relations Committee
Tracy Sawyer (Chair)
387 Merry Road
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(H) 842-1007
(Cell) 225-0619
TracySawyer@yahoo.com
Linda Scheuer (Student Award Coordinator)
1503 Scotch Church Road
Pattersonville, NY 12137
(H) 887-5767
LindaScheuer@cs.com
Doreen Frank (Newsletter Editor)
2 Empire Drive, Suite 202
Rensselaer, NY 12144-5730
(W) 286-3990
Dkftcpt@mac.com
Donna P. Brown (Membership Liaison)
5 Madison Street
Granville, NY 12832-1209
(W) 518-642-9519
donnajpt@comcast.net
Nicole Krawczeski
23 Pearl Street
Gloversville, NY 12087
(H) 725-1937
(W) 762-8215
nicosnpt@yahoo.com
Continuing Education Committee
Christine Cedilotte
2083 Rosedale Way
Schenectady, NY 12303-4844
(H) (518) 356-5718
(W)(518) 382-4530
chrissycedilotte@hotmail.com
Janet Hakey-Brusgul
126 Bedford Court
Voorheesville, NY 12186
(H) 765-2072
(W) 244-2348 or
(W) 356-3139 (T/Th evenings)
hakeyj@sage.edu
April Friedman
601 Glen Avenue
Scotia, NY 12302
(H) 518-382-1827
(C) 518-496-2570
AprilPT@nycap.rr.com
Danielle Deeb
111 Benson Street
Albany, NY 12206
(H)518 495-6199
Dcpsalm91@aol.com
Nominating Committee
Dennis Judd
11 Herber Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054-2001
(H) 518-475-7688
(W) 518-456-6653
(F) 518-456-7274
DjuddPT@aol.com
Sharon Marion
510 Acre Drive
Schenectady, NY 12303-5237
(H) 518-355-1832
(W) 518-356-3139
(F) 518-356-3274
smarion1@nycap.rr.com |
5 Palisades Drive, Suite 330
