March 2014 Newsletter PRESIDENTS COLUMN

ERIC TARR, PT, DPT, MBA, OCS PRESIDENT, WVPTA The Board, committees, and members of the WVPTA have been busy over the past month. The education and research committees have been working hard to make sure that we offer an incredible Spring Conference this year including a very diverse training on hip pathologies, associated complications, and treatment canvasing most every setting of care and presented in tandem with the West Virginia Orthopedic Society. The PR committee has been improving our communication lines and preparing a golf outing sponsored by Dixon Golf. Be sure to get there early Friday, April 4, for big hole -in-one prizes and other fun giveaways! I would like to thank Burt Reed, PT, OCS, for his help with the WVPT-PAC over the years and thank Lori Lovern, PT, OCS for assuming the Chair position for that committee. Also, as we have been challenged by the West Virginia Athletic Trainers Association (WVATA) to prevent an extremely broad and over-scope practice act for athletic trainers, Dr. Rhonda Haley, PT, ATC has agreed to chair our practice committee. Please give her a healthy thank you when you see her. Pat Ellis, PT, MSPT, is now volunteering as our Federal Affairs Liaison to the APTA. Hugh Murray, PT, please know that we sincerely appreciate your time and service over the past few years in the Federal Affairs Liaison position. Other committees having substantial activity since our previous newsletter have been the Student SIG, the Reimbursement Committee, Nominating Committee, and State Affairs Committee. We owe them all a debt of gratitude for their exceptional volunteer efforts. Many of their efforts are summarized in rest of the newsletter. If you want to rub elbows with some of the best, I highly recommend becoming very engaged with the WVPTA board and volunteering on one of our committees. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your Associations president. I look forward to seeing all of you at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV for the Annual Spring Conference on April 4-6, 2014.

CONTENT
President Eric Tarrs Column A Thank You from Tonkin Management Group WV State Legislative News SGR repeal Legislation and a Call to Action on the Medicare Therapy Cap Insurance News Update Poster presentations announced for Spring Conference Update on SIG and student scholarship recipients

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SO LONG, BUT NOT FAREWELL

NANCY TONKIN and WANDA HYMES Tonkin Management Group (TMG) has been honored to serve as your government relations and management firm over the past twelve years. Our history together began in 2001 when the chiropractors snuck the terms physical therapy and physiotherapy techniques into the code. This was the beginning of building a strong ground game and proactive organization. Wanda joined TMG in 2002 and quickly became the detail person that was desperately needed to assist WVPTA in developing its educational component and supporting the work of committees. Your guidance was invaluable as we learned the important role of physical therapists and how to run an efficient state chapter. Together, we made a good team to support and grow WVPTA! Key accomplishments over the past twelve years include: Significant advances of the Physical Therapy Practice Act and protection of the profession from a variety of other professional groups: massage therapists, occupational therapists and most recently athletic trainers. A 29% growth in membership, beginning with 454 of members in 2001 to 585 in January 2014. This growth has in turn provided us with a strong fiscal foundation and volunteer base to address additional issues such as reimbursement. Recognition at the national level with two awards: the 2010 Outstanding Component Legislative Award for the passage of HB 4140, and the 2013 Outstanding Small Chapter Award. Recognition at the state level as a professional organization that is respected by the Governors Office, Legislators, stat e agencies, and insurers as a key stakeholder in major health policy changes. An active and informed membership through regional PT After Hours meetings, the Spring Conference, legislative alerts, and development of the newsletter, website, and social media. Greater involvement from physical therapy assistants and physical therapy students has also come to fruition.

WVPTA Spring Conference April 4-6 at Stonewall Resort

Have you registered for the spring conference yet? Still time
to do that. Go to our WVPTA website: www.wvpta.org and click on Events. This years conference is in conjunction with The West Virginia orthopaedic society and presentations will focus on evaluation and intervention strategies of the hip and pelvis. 2014 Conference Featured Speakers: John J. Christoforetti, MD Joel Moskal, MD Robert Meneghini, MD Tamara Gravano, PT, DPT, GCS Kelly Terry, PT, DPT Anne Swisher, PT, PhD Saurabh Mehta, PT National Speakers (Representatives) of WVOS and WVPTA: Greg Krivchenia, MD, AAOS Councilor Jeanine Gunn, PT, DPT, APTA Representative Additional conference activities include: A course for students about residency and fellowship specialization on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Poster abstracts on Sunday, April 6, 2014 from 10:00 to 10:30 am. A golf tournament on Friday, April 4, 2014 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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A key ingredient to our success has been the strong leadership and dedication of the Board of Directors. From the officers to the committee chairs, we have stayed true to our mission, core values and strategic plan. On April 20, 2014, TMG will transition the management of the WVPTA to the qualified team of Walker and Stevens. As this transition is made, we know you will be in good hands and will continue to move the organization into the future. We greatly appreciate your commitment, dedication, and most of all, your friendship and support over the past twelve years. This is so long, but not farewell we will always be champions of your work and the profession.

STATE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS: 2014 WV Legislative Highlights

ERIC SHAW, PT The West Virginia Physical Therapy Association started the legislative session with a new government relations firm representing us at the Capitol. Walker and Stevens took the reins from Tonkin Management Group and guided us quite nicely through the session. They kept the WVPTA Board well informed, and when the issue of athletic trainer licensure started to gain traction we were able to get the word out to the membership. Members did a great job communicating with their delegates about the proposed legislation. The WVPTA was again able to point out the problems with the legislation and no action was taken on the licensure of athletic trainers. Here is a brief rundown on some of the bills that we were monitoring. A full report on WVPTA bills of interested is included by Walker and Stevens included in their legislative wrap up.

Athletic Trainer Licensure (HB 4413/SB 587): Died in committee. Health Sciences Service Program (SB 394): completed legislative action and awaiting Governors signature. This bill officially lists physical therapists as being eligible for $10,000 scholarship if they agree to work in a health care shortage area. Military Members and Spouses Licensed through Professional Boards (HB 4151): Completed legislative action. Bill allows exemptions in paying fees, renewals etc. for those serving in the military. The WV Board of Physical Therapy will have to develop rules for these exemptions. Government Fraud Prevention Act (HB 4001) defeated on House floor vote. Co-payments and Discrimination (HB 4422): No action taken on this bill. Appropriating hotel tax proceeds to hospitals in counties with no more than one hospital (SB 314) completed legislative action. The Move to Improve Act (SB 455) died in the House Education Committee after passing the Senate unanimously and passing through House Health and Human Resources Committee. This bill would have allowed for 30 minutes of physical activity in schools daily.

I want to thank all the members who contacted their members of the WV Legislature on behalf of the WVPTA and the patients that we serve. Without all physical therapists coming together with one strong voice action in the legislature is impossible. A big thank you to WVPTA President Eric Tarr who spent countless hours at the capital lobbying for physical therapy in West Virginia. Thank you to Jeff Stevens and Matt Walker for the work they did on our behalf as well. Now the only thing left to do is watch the budget process in the special session and wait for Governor Tomblin to sign the bills into law!

A more in-depth summary of each House and Senate bill can be found on pages 4-7 of this newsletter
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WVPTA LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP

MATT WALKER, WVPTA LOBBYIST West Virginias 2014 Regular Legislative Session began on January 8, 2014 and ended on March 8, 2014. Out of the 1,876 bills introduced, 198 bills (104 House Bills and 94 Senate Bills) passed both the House and Senate. Walker & Stevens / West Virginia Lobbyist Group focused on several issues on behalf of the West Virginia Physical Therapy Association and its members. House bills are discussed first; Senate bills are discussed second.

House Bill 4413/Senate Bill 587 - Requiring that athletic trainers be licensed This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. This bill was introduced by the Athletic Trainers Association. The purpose of this bill was to require that athletic trainers be licensed by the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy instead of registered. The WV Physical Therapy Association actively lobbied against this bill, because although we are not strictly against athletic trainers becoming licensed, we feel that a well defined scope of practice is necessary to accompany that licensure. However, the following broad language was the only attempt in the bill to address this scope of practice: Practice of athletic training means services performed for physically active patients under the direction of a physician and as prescribed by the board, for which the athletic trainer has received appropriate education and training. The practice of athletic training does not include the practice of physical therapy, the practice of medicine, the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery, the practice of chiropractic or medical diagnosis or treat ment. Clearly, more work must be performed before a bill of this nature should be passed in the Legislature. The efforts of the WV Physical Therapy Association to defeat this bill were successful. The bill did not pass in either the House or the Senate, and did not pass through any committees in either the House or the Senate. House Bill 4001 Fraud Prevention Act This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. This bill provides for qui tam proceedings, which are lawsuits brought by private citizens against a person or company who is believed to have violated the law in performance of a contract with the government or in violation of a government regulation, when there is a statute which provides for a penalty for the violations. These proceedings are brought for the state as well as the plaintiff. It states prohibited acts, damages, costs and civil penalties. It provides for civil actions by private persons and rights of parties to qui tam proceedings, including awards to qui tam plaintiffs. The bill bars certain civil actions and provides that the state is not liable for the expenses of private litigants. The bill provides for a private action for retaliatory conduct; it contains a limitation of actions. It provides for retroactive application and state intervention in action by private person. This bill was introduced on the first day of the Legislative Session and was promoted strongly by House Leadership. Due to the controversial nature of the bill with the business community however, it failed on the Floor of the House by a vote of 55-42. Businesses, such as a physical therapy practice which bills any government agency such as Medicaid, could be sued by private citizens for billing fraudulently, and the private citizen would be entitled to a percentage of that award. The business community was concerned that there would be numerous lawsuits filed against them of a frivolous nature, especially given that the private citizen is incentivized by receiving a portion of the damages. House Bill 4128 - Requiring boards of examination or registration to maintain a list of disciplinary actions on a public access website This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. The purpose of this bill was to require boards of examination or registration to maintain a list of disciplinary actions on a public access website. It also provides that if a board cannot afford this, then the Attorney General shall have a link to this information on the Consumer Protection Division website, as well as a link to such lists of other boards.

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House Bill 4151 Relating to military members and their spouses who obtain licensure through professional boards This bill PASSED on March 4, 2014. This bill was introduced by the Governor. The bill creates a new article relating to military members and their spouses who obtain licensure through professional boards and transfers current code sections relating to the adequacy of military education, training, and experience and the maintenance of state licenses for out-of-state active duty members and their spouses to this article. The bill also permits spouses of active duty military members who move into the state to receive a temporary license, provides a waiver of application fees for some military spouses, and requires these boards to collect certain data. The bill requires that a professional board shall consider the individuals education, training or experience as a member of the Armed Forces or Reserves of the United States, the National Guard of any state, or the military reserves of any state, as part of the evaluation process toward the qualifications to receive, or take examination for, that respective professional license, certification or registration. Note that the board is only required to consider this former education, training or experience it does not automatically qualify or entitle the individual to any particular status. Rather, it is only one element that may be considered with regard to licensure. House Bill 4474 Relating to prohibition on higher copayments or coinsurance for certain providers This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. This bill has been introduced in previous years by the WV Physical Therapy Association without result. This year, the bill was again introduced with the following language: No individual or group accident and sickness insurance policy may provide for a higher copayment or coinsurance amount, for a person licensed to practice podiatry pursuant to section ten, article three, chapter thirty of this code, a person licensed to practice optometry pursuant to section three, article eight, chapter thirty of this code, a dentist, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist or a chiropractic physician, than the copayment or coinsurance amount provided for the services of a primary care physician or practitioner for the same or a similar diagnosed condition even if a different nomenclature is used to describe a condition. However, when the bill was passed by the House Banking & Insurance Committee, physical therapists and occupational therapists were amended out of the bill. Obviously, this instantly killed support for the bill by the WV Physical Therapy Association. We were active in informing the House Judiciary Committee that we could not support the bill without the inclusion of the two professions that had been removed from the bill. The bill was not taken up for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee and therefore did not pass in the House. House Bill 4307 - Relating to school celebrations, recognition programs and events This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session The purpose of this bill, sometimes referred to as the Cupcake Bill is to allow each elementary school or parent s associated with the school to serve sweets at a party or celebration at the school once a year. The bill passed through the House Health and House Education Committees, and passed through the House by a vote of 95-1. However, the bill gained no traction whatsoever in the Senate, and was not taken up for consideration by the Senate Health committee, thus leading to its defeat during this session. House Bill 3108 - Criminal background checks on nursing home applicants) - PASSED This bill implements a criminal background check standard to work in a nursing home. An individual convicted of a felony within the past 10 years may not work in a nursing home, and an individual convicted of a misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect, assault, or battery of a child, adult, elderly person, on incapacitated person, or a misdemeanor or felony involving fraud, duress, coercion, embezzlement, conversion, or any financial crime committed against the elderly or an incapacitated person, he/she may not be employed by a nursing home.

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House Concurrent Resolution 110 - Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance authorize a study on the regulation of athletic trainers This resolution was originated by the House Government Organization committee and may or may not be studied throughout the 2014 Interim Sessions. This resolution was in response to the fact that House Bill 4413 died during the Legislative Session. Whether or not the Joint Committee on Government and Finance chooses to study this topic throughout the upcoming calendar year during interim sessions remains to be seen. This information is generally known sometime later in the Spring of the year. It is worth noting that it is a possibility, and the WV Physical Therapy Association is prepared for this dialogue if the need arises and will stand firm that if athletic trainers are indeed to be licensed they must have a responsibly defined scope of practice. House Concurrent Resolution 96 - Requesting the Joint Committee on Government Organization and Finance study policies ensuring that licensed athletic trainers are available during practices and games to all interscholastic student athletes in West Virginia This is another resolution involving athletic trainers, which is worth noting due to the fact that they are registered under the Board of Physical Therapy, as well as the fact that the resolution makes reference to licensed athletic trainers even though this status does not currently exist as a possibility in West Virginia. The action statement of this resolution references certified athletic trainers, stating, the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study policies ensuring that certified athletic trainers are available during practices and games to all interscholastic athletes in West Virginia. This use of terminology (certified, rather than licensed) is of course more appropriate, and the WV Physical Therapy Association may become involved in the study of this topic if licensure becomes an issue in any way. Again, whether or not this topic will be studied throughout the Interim Sessions during the 2014 calendar year is not yet certain. Senate Bill 394 - HEPC Scholarship Program - PASSED This bill designates the Higher Education Policy Commissions Health Sciences Schola rship Program as the Health Sciences Service Program and increases the scholarship amount available to health care providers, including up to $20,000 for medical and dental students and up to $10,000 for all others. The mission of this bill is to improve access to primary care in underserved areas of the state. New professions added to this program are nurse educators, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, doctoral clinical psychologists, and licensed independent clinical social workers. House Bill 4342 / Senate Bill 212 - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Scope of Practice Expansion - This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. This bill would have expanded the scope of APRNs, allowing autonomous practice in WV and APRN prescriptive authority without establishing a collaborative agreement with a physician. The Performance Evaluation and Research Division (PERD, with the legislative auditors office) recommended to the legislature that APRN scope not be expanded at this time; will be ongoing issue. This is important because there is a PERD report which recommends against athletic trainer licensure. Therefore, we would like to see PERD reports be given great deference by legislators when making licensure/scope of practice decisions. Senate Bill 602 - HCP Name Badges - PASSED This bill creates the Health Care Provider Transparency Act, which requires HCPs to wear identification badges when providing direct patient care. These badges must contain a name and title to identify licensure information. Facilities providing ID badges prior to enactment are not required to issue new badges. Exceptions include situations where: ID badges are not clinically feasible; HCPs last name may be omitted if the HCP is concerned with his/her safety; Employees in behavior health care settings do not have to list last name; and Employee may petition the DHHR Secretary for an exemption not listed.

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Definitions include: Direct patient care means health care that provides for the physical, diagnostic, emotional or rehabilitation needs of a patient or health care that involves examination, treatment or preparation for diagnostic tests or procedures. Employee means an employee or contractor of a health care provider or a person who is granted privileges by a health care provider who delivers direct patient care. Health care provider means an individual, partnership, corporation, facility, hospital or institution licensed or certified or authorized by law to provide professional health care service in this state to a patient during that patients medical, remedial or behavioral health care, treatment or confinement. Senate Bill 455 - Move to Improve - This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. This bill would have created the West Virginia Move to Improve Act, which would have placed more emphasis on physical education and physical activity in West Virginia schools. The bill died in the House Education Committee. Senate Bill 208 - Rural Health Initiative Act - This bill DID NOT PASS during the 2014 Legislative Session. This bill would have continued the Rural Health Initiative. The bill died in the House Finance Committee. Senate Bill 395 - SNAP benefit program - PASSED This bill requires DHHR to request the ability to prohibit the use of benefits for certain unhealthy foods and incentivize the use of benefits for certain healthy foods.

WVPTA Spring Conference April 4-6 at Stonewall Jackson

Did you know we have a Golf Outing, sponsored by Dixon Golf, we are doing in conjunction with the WV Orthopaedic Society?

Plan to play some golf, win some cool prizes, and do a little networking with fellow PT, PTAs and Orthopaedic surgeons on Friday, April 4, 2014 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to participate. Golf rates are $89 per person and include green fees, shared golf cart, and unlimited use of the practice facility. You need to call 304-269-8885 to make your tee time by March 27th and tell them you are with WV Orthopaedic Society and WV Physical Therapy Association.

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SGR REPEALS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED: Tell Your Legislators to REPEAL THE CAP in the Final Bill
PATRICK ELLIS, PT, MSPT FEDERAL AFFAIRS CHAIR In December, Congress passed a 3-month extension to prevent implementation of Medicare payment cuts associated with the sustainable growth rate (SGR) and a continuation of the Medicare therapy cap exceptions process. The temporary patch was intended to allow the House and Senate time to finalize ongoing negotiations on legislation that would repeal the flawed SGR formula and permanently address Medicare extenders. This week Congress introduced the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act (H.R. 4015) which provides for repeal and reform of the SGR, but does not address any Medicare extenders, including the Medicare therapy cap, despite its inclusion in the original Senate Finance Committee bill. Over the past several months, legislators in both the House and the Senate have spoken out about the need to address Medicare extenders, and more specifically the Medicare therapy cap, along with the SGR. While our understanding is that legislators are now turning their attention to negotiations on extenders, we must keep up the momentum and tell legislators that they must include a full repeal the Medicare therapy cap in the final legislation passed. Help spread this message by e-mailing or calling your legislators TODAY! When calling your Congressional offices, ask for the health legislative assistant. APTA members can email their legislators using the Legislative Action Center. Nonmembers and patients can use the Patient Action Center. Non-members can use the House of Representatives and Senate directories to look-up the phone numbers for their members of Congress. TALKING POINTS:

Ask your legislators to include a full repeal of the Medicare therapy cap in the SGR reform legislation currently being considered by the committees of jurisdiction. Tell them that APTA supports the provision to repeal the therapy cap that was originally included in the Senate version of this legislation. The flawed SGR formula and the therapy cap were created together in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Since 1997, Congress has repeatedly addressed the SGR formula and the therapy cap together through annual extensions in the SGR/Medicare extenders package. If Congress passes legislation permanently addressing the SGR formula, but does not include a repeal of the Medicare therapy cap, patients could face a hard cap on outpatient therapy services after the current extension expires on March 31st. Remind your legislators that a hard cap disproportionally impacts Medicare beneficiaries who need therapy services the most.

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INSURANCE UPDATES
SALLY OXLEY, PT, OCS, CHT, CMDT WVPTA Payer Relations Committee Chair Highmark BCBS We have found that as the 2014 Highmark plans roll out the new policies are in force. Maximum PT visits are 30 per year. Highmark will pay 80/20 for all in network visits and 60/40 for all visits out of network up to 20, then it is 50/50. There is no co-pay just co-insurance, 20% in network and 40% out of network. Co-insurance goes toward the out of pocket maximum. After 30 visits PT will be a non-covered benefit. The 30 visits per year will be for physical therapy alone and not bundled with other disciplines. Highmark is the only insurer to offer plans in the Exchanges in WV. These plan participants are identified by their plan cards. There are no group numbers on the card and it is designated as an individual plan. Participants pay monthly and will not be dropped until they have not paid for 90 days. Providers will not be notified when these policies are cancelled, so it will be necessary to verify insurance every month, like many of us do with Medicaid. We have been told that all PTs that are in the Highmark network will be included in the Exchanges. Medicaid Medicaid Expansion patients will have to be pre-authorized as of March 1st, 2014. Following the initial evaluation the request for authorization should be submitted online or faxed and the Plan of Care sent with it. There is a specific form that must be filled out and is fairly extensive. Medicaid Expansion patients are identified by Medicaid personnel when the verification call is made. There is no designation on the Medicaid card at this point. These patients should be verified monthly. They will have 30 visits per calendar year and we do not yet know how the visits will be applied following authorization. So far the authorization process is taking over a week. Medicare Bipartisan legislation is proposed that will repeal the SGR and replace it with a system focused on quality, value and accountability. The legislation will ensure a 5 year period of annual updates of 0.5% to transition to the new system. The three existing quality programs are to be consolidated into a streamlined and improved program that rewards providers that meet performance thresholds, improves care for seniors and provides certainty for providers. HIPAA Do not assume that because a friend or family member accompanies a patient to their physical therapy appointment that you are free to discuss their care with that person. You must document in the medical record that you asked and they consented or a form can be completed and signed by the patient including a list of individuals that you can discuss the case with.

Highmark will pay 80/20 for all in network visits and 60/40 for all visits out of network up to 20, then it is 50/50. There is no co-pay just co-insurance, 20% in network and 40% out of network. Coinsurance goes toward the out of pocket maximum. After 30 visits PT will be a non-covered benefit. The 30 visits per year will be for physical therapy alone and not bundled with other disciplines.

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POSTER ABSTRACTS ANNOUNCED FOR SPRING CONFERENCE

PENNY KROLL,PT, PhD and ALISON KREGER, PT, DPT RESEARCH COMMITTEE CHAIRS For the third consecutive year, the West Virginia Physical Therapy Association Research Committee reviewed abstracts submitted for a Peer-Reviewed Poster Session at the 2014 Spring Conference. The Research Committee utilized an established review process to select the abstracts that were submitted. As has been done each year, posters abstract were independently scored by 3 reviewers utilizing an established scoring rubric. This year, 14 abstracts were accepted for presentation by a group of reviewers which included WVPTA Research Committee members and faculty from Marshall, West Virginia and Wheeling Jesuit Universities who volunteered their time to review all abstracts. The posters will be on display Sunday morning, April 6, 2014 during an extended break (10:00 10:45 am) allowing question/answer time between presenters and conference attendees. Again, this year, the accepted abstracts were ranked and the authors of the two highest scoring abstracts were asked to present their work in platform presentations at the 2014 WVPTA General Membership Meeting on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 11:30 1:30 pm.

Poster Abstracts Accepted 2014

Those highlighted in yellow received the top two scores for their abstract submission. They will be presenting their research in a platform presentation format during the WVPTA Membership Luncheon on Saturday, April 6, 2014, between 11:30 1:30 pm in the Ballroom 1 at the Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV.

1. The Effects of a Ridged Insole on Gait Parameters in Older Adults Presenter: Emily Bosley, SPT West Virginia University 2. The Patient Specific Functional Scale: Validation with the DASH Questionnaire in Patients with Upper Extremity Pathology Presenter: Toby Johnson, SPT West Virginia University 3. Physical Therapy Student Satisfaction with Computer-Assisted Instruction in Electrotherapy Presenter: Jessica Ewers, SPT West Virginia University 4. Changes in Hand Therapy Content in the Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education Programs Presenter: Morgan Perry, SPT West Virginia University 5. Concurrent Validity of the Kinect and Goniometry to Measure Shoulder Motion after Breast Cancer Surgery Presenter: Matt Taylor, SPT West Virginia University 6. Factors Influencing the Decision of Physical Therapy Students to Practice in Rural Appalachia Presenter: Lance Kimble, SPT West Virginia University 7. Reliability and Validity of a Novel Clinical Test to Evaluate Lumbar Kinesthesia: A Pilot Study Presenter: Steve Mitchell, SPT West Virginia University

This years presentations/authors will be: Title: The Patient Specific Functional Scale: Validation with the DASH Questionnaire in Patients With Upper Extremity Pathology Authors: Mia Erickson, PT, EdD, CHT, ATC; Cody Hartley, SPT; Ryan Haught, SPT; Toby Johnson, SPT; & Brandon Starcher, SPT

Title: Factors Influencing the Decision of Physical Therapy Students to Practice in Rural Appalachia Authors: Ralph Utzman, PT, MPH, EdD; Erik Bower, SPT; Lucas Geary, SPT; Lance Kimble, SPT; Mia Erickson, PT, EdD, CHT, ATC

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Please note that this year, the association applied for and received permission to award hour of continuing education credit to those attending and listening to these presentations. So, plan to attend the General Membership

8. Validity of the Numeric Dizziness Scale (NDS) Presenter: Emily Squires, SPT West Virginia University

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Business Meeting to learn about the good works of the WVPTA Association and simultaneously gain CE credits! Because we value the time it takes to complete quality research which enhances our professional skills and helps us increase the level of patient care, we look forward to continuing to offer this annual event during the Spring Conference each year. So please, consider submitting an abstract next year!

Poster Abstracts Accepted 2014

They will be presenting their research in a platform presentation format during the WVPTA Membership Luncheon on Saturday, April 6, 2014, between 11:30 1:30 pm in the Ballroom 1 at the Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV.

THANK YOU FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

GRETCHEN PFOST, PT, DPT, NCS NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR On behalf of the Nominating Committee, I would like to thank the membership for a successful election process. For those of you who took the time to cast your ballot, we appreciate your voice! A concerted effort was made by many individuals to make this first year of electronic voting possible. We thank you for your patience and your participation. Thank you to the nominating committee members for the time you volunteered from your busy schedule to serve your fellow PT/PTA members. Moreover, we applaud our candidates for their leadership, service and commitment to growing the WV chapter. We look forward to seeing everyone at Spring Conference where we will announce the election results during our annual luncheon on Saturday.

9. Professionalism of Doctor of Physical Therapy Students over the Course of Clinical Education Presenter: Kelly Paolisso, SPT / Kristine Grubler, PT, DPT Wheeling Jesuit University 10. Functional Characteristics of Individuals with Stroke after Discharge to Rural Communities Presenter: Kassie Kime, SPT West Virginia University 11. Effects of Implementing a Developmental Play Program on Outcomes in Infants with Long-Term Hospitalization Presenter: Christopher DeMaria, SPT West Virginia Universtiy 12. A Treatment Approach for Low Back Pain Using the McKenzie Method Combined with Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Theory Report Presenter: Alex Siyufy, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC, Cert. MDT Radford University, Roanoke, VA 13. Whos that PT? Characteristics of Physical Therapists Across the United States Who Provide Pro bono Care Presenter: Caterina Abraham, DPT Wheeling Jesuit University 14. Effects of Exercise Intervention on Balance Function in People with Diabetes: A Systematic Literature Review Presenter: Christina Ferguson, SPT Marshall University

STUDENT SIG UPDATE

OLIVIA NOVOTNY, SPT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY PT STUDENT As I come to the end of my third of four Clinical Rotations for PT school, I am continually reminded of all the wonderful ways that students and clinicians can become active within our profession. If you are currently a student, you are the first group of students to be fortunate enough to get involved in the newly developed Student Special Interest Group (S-SIG) of the WVPTA. The Student SIG Committee has been busy for the past year developing S-SIG bylaws and selecting officers for this first year. The current officers are Erin Bair, President; Caitlin Roxby, Vice President; and Amanda Althouse, Secretary/Treasurer. They have been working diligently along with the Student SIG Committee to develop the Student SIG and plan for

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WVPTA provides scholarships for Combined Sections Meeting

This year, the WVPTA provided scholarships to 2 students to attend the Combined Sections meeting in Las Vegas, NV. Below you can read about their experiences and their gratitude. _________ Combined Sections Meeting for 2014 took place in Las Vegas, NV the first week of February, and thanks to the support of the WVPTA, myself and another student from WVU, were able to attend this years conference. CSM 2014 was filled with opportunities galore, ranging from attending classes on specialty topics to networking with peers, and for all of us preparing to graduate searching for potential employment. The APTA was also in full swing, particularly the students who made history by producing a quorum to pass an amendment to the Student Activity Boards bylaws. In addition the SABOD (Student Activity Board of Directors) provided an excellent opportunity for a meet and greet with fellow PT and PTA students. Personally my week was filled with networking, working with the SABOD, and promoting the APTA and advocacy to fellow PT students as well as attending sessions on topics such as amputee golf and progression to barefoot running. Thank you again WVPTA for providing these scholarships. It truly is a blessing and benefit to the students. I look forward to seeing everyone at CSM 2015 in Indianapolis next year! Christopher DeMaria , SPT West Virginia University PT Student _________ It was a great privilege to have the opportunity to attend the APTA Combined Section Meeting this year in Las Vegas. I was able to attend six session featuring expert clinicians in varying specialties. There were many great sessions offered it was a difficult choice to decide which one to attend during each time slot. The exhibit hall featured many great vendors with tools and resources to help increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the physical therapy care I will be providing to patients once I graduate in May from West Virginia University with my DPT degree. Cindy Johnson, PT, DPT, CHT, from the University of Colorado presented Tips and Tricks for Diagnosing Common Elbow

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future events to promote networking and friendship among the different PT and PTA schools within the state of West Virginia. The recent focus of the Student SIG along with the Education Committee of the WVPTA has been to identify areas of interest for students attending the WVPTA Spring Conference in April to ensure optimal learning and participation from the students. The focus of this years Spring Conference will be Whats HIP in 2014? and will offer sessions on Saturday about hip dislocations, fractures, replacements, and management of common hip diagnoses. On Sunday of the Spring Conference, April 6, 2013, there are various sessions held throughout the day that are specifically directed for students, so the material covered will be especially relevant information for students. After many, many hours of work, third year students will have the opportunity to present their research topics at the poster session. The Student SIG will have a business meeting prior to the poster presentations at 9 am. We are encouraging all students to attend the Student SIG business meeting, as this will be a time to decide where the future will lead for the Student SIG and the direction the members would like the SIG to take. This meeting will also be a great place to start gathering with future colleagues and understanding the importance of becoming involved in furthering your profession. Sessions developed specifically for students will be held after the poster presentations and will cover material such as Residency and Fellowship Specialization for Students and other applicable sessions--Interpreting Lab Values in Acute Care, and EvidenceBased Approaches for Outcome Measures in Clinical Practice. These will be great topics that will be beneficial for all students, regardless of year in school. In attempts to go green this year, there will be no paper handouts distributed at the event, so start planning early, print off your material at home, and encourage all your classmates to attend and participate in all that Spring Conference has to offer!

Disorders containing valuable information ranging from the anatomy of the elbow joint to the biomechanics of the elbow to common fractures and soft tissue pathology of the elbow. She reviewed the most common fractures along with the incidence, prevalence, and mechanism of injury for each. Among the fractures discussed were supracondylar, condylar, intercondylar, radial head, olecranon, and coronoid process. Dr. Johnson presented two of the most common soft tissue pathologies seen at the elbow joint including lateral elbow tendinopathy and cubital tunnel syndrome. She reviewed the common symptoms, presentation, mechanism of injury, examination components including special tests, and the most common and effective treatment options. This presentation was an incredible overview of the most common diagnoses seen at the elbow joint. Clare Safran-Norton, PT, PhD, MS, OCS, Dawn Rogers, PT, DPT, and Ana Perez-Lugones, PTA, LMT, MLD/CDT presented the lecture When Its Not Just the Labrum: An Innovative Approach to Anterior Hip Pain. During this session they discussed the increased referral to physical therapy by physicians for anterior hip and groin pain. Since MRI is a costly and scarcely available diagnostic tool for physical therapists, other structures should be examined to decide if they may be a source of referred pain to the hip and groin. They focused on examining the lumbopelvic hip area as well as the posture the patient exhibits. They presented several very useful techniques and tips to decrease the hip and groin pain from referred areas. This presentation was very informative and was a reminder to look at the big picture not only the area of pain. The pain may be caused from a remote site sending referred pain to the affected area. Mark Stillman, MD, and his team of professionals from the Cleveland Clinic presented on their approach to treating chronic headaches. The team includes Steven Krause PhD, MBA, a registered nurse, Deborah Zajac RNBC, and four physical therapists (Ian Stephens PT, DPT, OCS, James Edwards PT, DPT, Sunni Klein PT, MSPT, Kay Cherian PT, MPT cert., MDT). During this presentation they explained their program which is entitled IMATCH. IMATCH is a three week program which enrolls patients who suffer from chronic headaches. The program includes an eclectic approach of treatment to chronic headaches including medical treatment, psychological treatment, and physical therapy. During this presentation the different types of headaches were reviewed along with common structures which may become irritated to cause the headaches. The physical therapists spoke about the different treatment techniques utilized to treat the headaches. Some of the impairments discussed were limited cervical range of motion, weak deep neck flexors, forward head posture, trigger points of the shoulder and neck, and temporomandibular dysfunction. They presented research on each of these impairments and what treatment options have shown the best outcomes within the IMATCH program. The IMATCH program utilizes outcome measures including headache disability inventory, dizziness handicap inventory, neck disability index, and the numeric pain rating scale to assist in assessing the success of the program. This program has seen great results and has enrolled individuals from hours away from the center. Most patients would consider this program a last resort due to the length and increased cost of attendance however, it is nice as a soon to be clinician to have this information about a program which patients can be referred to if needed. These are just three of nine sessions I attended while at CSM in Las Vegas. It was a great opportunity to attend and be able to absorb clinical expertise from those making a difference in patients lives. This conference is a great opportunity for students and practicing clinicians to gain clinical pearls to assist in treating our patients with the most effective and appropriate treatment techniques. I would encourage any clinician who has the opportunity to attend the combined section meeting to go. I also would recommend any PT or PTA students to attend. Attending as a PT student opened my eyes to the responsibility I have to stay informed on the best treatment approaches for my future patients and this conference is a great asset to achieving that responsibility. I would like to thank the WVPTA for awarding me this scholarship to attend the combined section meeting. It was an honor and the information brought back from the conference will be applied in my clinical practice which will be beginning in a few short months from now. Tyler Wamsley, SPT WVU Physical Therapy Student

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