North Central District – WPTA
October 18, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Videoconference Sites:
Stevens Point: Dennis Kaster (Chair), Stephanie Olson (Vice Chair), John Newman, guest
Marshfield: Janice Devine-Ruggles (Treasurer), Dave Smith (Secretary), Aaron Homolka, Nicole Quarne
Minocqua: Denise Kearns-Legoo (local contact), Stephanie Mikoliczak (Branding Rep), guests (2)
Weston: Beth Schmelling
Merrill: Cindy Koehler (local contact)
Wisconsin Rapids: Wes Kurszewski (local contact), Lisa Skibba, student
Rhinelander: Robert Wojnowski (local contact)
Park Falls: no one present
In-service/Presentation/Discussion:
• Statin Induced Muscle Toxicity. Led by Tonja Larson, PharmD, BCPS, CGP, Marshfield Clinic-Clinical Pharmacist. 1.0 CEU credit.
Officer Reports:
• Treasurer – Janice Devine-Ruggles:
o $4012.99 – checking account 10/18/11; Explain Pain course profits to be determined; CI course in May to be determined
Subcommittees/Representatives:
• Branding Rep – Stephanie Mikolicek
o Nothing new; possible presentation to us next session. Has not heard anything new from WPTA
• Membership Rep – Voight Smith – not present
• Education Sub Committee: (Stephanie Olson, Stephanie Mikoliczak, Wes Kurszewski, Voight Smith)
o Plan Ethics course for spring 2012; Nicole Quarne willing to assist group
o Explain Pain Sept 2011
? Wes Kurszewski not present for this portion of meeting to discuss
? Interest in Neurodynamics course
o Lynn Steffes – Reimbursement - Dennis to talk with Lynn about presentation
o Gary Denny – Robert Wojnowski recommended for Pain Science/Neuro Assessment, Lab component, nicely contained
o Online jurisprudence course through WPTA coming this Fall
o MCR/MA course with WOTA? – still working on
Discussion / New Business:
• WPTA News
o Strategic Planning 5/6 meeting review (Dennis Kaster – Chair)
• Consumers and health care providers will recognize PTs as practitioners of choice in prevention, rehabilitation and wellness.
• Practitioners will influence policy on access and payment for physical therapy services. – Lynn Steffes key involvement
• Members will demonstrate understanding of the attributes of autonomous practice as defined by APTA – now investigating Inpatient setting
• Eliminate barriers to autonomous practice in WI. – 7 hospitals now practicing autonomous practice in WI (outpatient settings)
• Enhance membership by recruiting and retaining involved and engaged members.
• Establish and maintain methods of communication for promoting an informed membership. – targeting younger generations; using technology. Task Force now working on it; concept of interactive WPTA website/Facebook/Twitter
o WPTA dues to stay the same for 2012 (no increase since 2006).
o APTA Geriatric Section – contracting WPTA; Executive Director Karen Oshman, going very well and source of income (25% of WPTA income)
o Membership: increasing 4 year trend, at peak membership, and 86% retention rate (better than APTA retention rate)
• Legislative Update:
o New Lobbyist firm; Jason Johns accepted new position and no longer with WPTA
o Bill 259 – Concussion Management – WPTA only group to oppose; worked to have bill amended to include PT as trained professionals in concussion management. Ongoing.
o Direct Access study – PT shown to be more cost effective; Dennis Kaster speaking to Insurance groups next week
• Other
o 5:30 start time to meetings well received; will continue for future
o $25 APTA gift certificate winner each meeting; WPTA dues ($156) paid for – one winner annually
? Tonight’s winner (drawn after meeting) = Denise Kearns-Legoo
Future Meetings:
• NEXT MEETING: Tues, February 21, 5:30 pm via videoconferencing
Submitted by NCD Secretary, Dave Smith, October 25, 2011