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VPTA Student SIG

SIG Chair:

Lauren Everetts

SIG Purpose:

The purpose of the Student Special Interest Group (SSIG or Student SIG) is to provide a means by which student and student Affiliate members, having a common interest, may meet, confer, and promote the interests of its membership classes, the Chapter and the Association. The SSIG supports the provisions of the Association and Chapter Bylaws, policies and other enactments.

SIG News:

Students in Action!

Each year several Virginia PT/PTA program students participate in volunteer and fundraising work. Here are some of the examples of events organized or supported by students:

VCU:


VCU DPT Heart Walk	Project Linus

Trick or Feed

ODU:

ODU TeamWalk for ALS,
Arthritis Walk

Habitat for Humanity



SU PT on the slopes	SU Quantico group 2009	Green circle run

About this SIG

Bylaws

Function of the SSIG

Provide the exchange of information to and among SSIG members concerning issues confronting the profession of physical therapy.
Identify and respond to areas of concern relating to students of the chapter.
Promote the role of students in the chapter, Association, and profession.
Promote membership and understanding of the Association, chapter, and SSIG among students enrolled in Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant education programs within the chapter.
Represent the interests of SSIG members before the official decision making bodies of the Chapter, Association, and other components.
Assist the Chapter and Association in furthering the profession of Physical Therapy in the state of Virginia.
Promote and foster communication between Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant students.

How does SSIG represent the student census?

The SSIG BoD listens to your concerns, questions, and comments. This information is then taken back to the Virginia Chapter BoD and discussed. From here the board determines if the concerns of the student census can adequately be addressed and this information is relayed back to the student membership. The SSIG Executive Committee also provides an opportunity for the physical therapy and physical therapy assistant student to:

Network with students in your state.
Contact professionals across your state.
Opportunities to find mentors and be mentored.
Develop leadership skills. Receive important information about the workings of your state chapter.
Receive important information preparing you for your future as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant

Upcoming Events:

Check back for more upcoming events!

PT Programs in Virginia - Click here for PT programs in Virginia

PTA Programs in Virginia - Click here for PTA programs in Virginia

SIG Links

Links of Interest

VPTA Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) is on Facebook (link)
Resume writing tips (link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4 )
Stipends/Scholarships (link 1)
APTA Mentorship Program: Be a mentor, Seek a Mentor
- The APTA sponsors a mentor program that student members may access to receive a mentor for your professional growth. Mentors might be professor, physical therapists, or a fellow student (SMART program). There are over 50 areas of expertise and many mentors. The APTA Mentor Program will help you search the mentor directory for someone in your location, area of interest, or enroll as a mentor yourself.
The Final Hurdle
- That time has finally come and you are now one step away from being a PT! The only thing between you and your license on the wall is the PT Board Test. Gather all the information you need to get prepared. Visit the Federation of State Boards for Physical Therapy and get some tips on what you need to do to be ready. If you know you are staying in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions and take a look at more specific information about the requirements for being licensed in Virginia by the Board of Physical Therapy

Electing New Officers…How can I run for the SSIG Executive Committee?

The Executive Committee consists of five members elected by the membership each year at the VPTA Student Conclave. The BoD consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director. There are also three (3) members of the nominating committee. Each officer serves a term of one year, and may not serve more than one year in any one position.

To learn more about each position’s responsibilities click here.

To have your name added to the slate for this years elections, please feel free to e-mail a member of the Nominating Committee (see below) with a brief synopsis of why you feel you would be an excellent candidate for the BoD, some of your leadership experience, and some ideas you may have regarding the upcoming year to encourage student involvement.

Please have this information emailed in to the nominating committee by September 15 of each year so that the ballots may be prepared by the Conclave date.

If you are interested in running for office, please follow the following link to fill out the SSIG Application Form and return to any of the nominating committee members (Elaine, Erin or Steven). SSIG Application Form

Interested in being a Student Liaison?

Student liaisons are THE communication link between the APTA Student Assembly (SA) and PT/PTA students around the country. The Board of Directors of the SA relies upon liaisons to communicate Board goals as well as the monthly email newsletters and other important student issues. Access this link for more info.

Ask the SSIG…

We would like to do our very best to encourage all of the student members to be active in the growth and development of the profession. If there are any questions that the BoD can answer for you feel free to contact any of us. We welcome suggestions for the website, questions and concerns. We can only grow together by improving communication. Contact the SSIG BoD with the links below.


SIG Officers
Chair Lauren Everetts Shenandoah University 717-300-0268 leverett07@su.edu Vice-Chair Jordan Chang Shenandoah University 410-599-8405 jchang09@su.edu Treasurer Yenwen Kuo Shenandoah University 678-707-3125 vkuo@su.edu Secretary Kerry O'Keefe Old Dominion University 703-447-9696 kokee003@odu.edu Director Stephen McKenzie Old Dominion University 757-748-4846 smcke012@odu.edu	Nominating Committee Jen Feild Old Dominion University 757-593-2046 jfeil001@odu.ecu Nominating Committee Emily Siazon Old Dominion University (757)635-5788 esiaz001@odu.edu Nominating Committee Tom Toothaker Old Dominion University 757-256-9869 tcoll018@odu.edu Student Liaison Sara Martin Old Dominion University 757-642-1665 smart059@odu.edu Tidewater District Student SIG Vacant. Interested?