Sandra Norby, PT, DPT
Sandra Norby, PT, DPT is CEO and Co-Founder of HomeTown Physical Therapy, LLC.  This Iowa based corporation provides a practice model for ownership and leadership by Physical Therapists.  Sandra has served on many leadership positions in APTA and PPS, including being a Delegate and Chief Delegate of APTA Iowa, a member of APTA PPAC: two terms as a Director on the PPS Board and serving as president of the Private Practice Section –APTA from 2018-2020.  She was awarded the 2016 Charles A, Harker Advocacy Award and the 2017 APTA Federal Advocacy Leadership Award for her instrumental work on making Locum Tenens a reality for physical therapists.

Sandra received her BS in Athletic Training and Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1989 and her DPT from the University of Montana – Missoula/Rehab Essentials in 2016.  She has an expertise in compliance and billing and has been a speaker at many state and national events on topics that include compliance, technology, leadership, and championing the success of women in physical therapy.

Holly Clynch, PT, DPT, MA
Holly Clynch PT, DPT, MA, Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (emerita), is currently the program director for the physical therapist assistant programs at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN, where she has been a faculty member since 1998. Prior to that, her clinical background focused on geriatric rehab in the skilled nursing and home settings. Dr. Clynch received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 1984 from the University of Minnesota. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership  in 2002 and received her transitional DPT degree in 2009, both from the College of St. Catherine. She is a graduate of the APTA’s Educational Leadership Institute, now called the Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership (FHEL) program, and has her APTA Leadership and Management Program (LAMP) certification. She has served in many APTA leadership roles, including APTA Minnesota president, Academy of Education board member and as an elected delegate, chief delegate and member of the Nominating Committee for the APTA House of Delegates. In addition to her duties as a PT PAC trustee, her other APTA duties include serving as a mentor in the FHEL program, a MN delegate, and as a Key Contact for MN's 3rd district. Her teaching career has focused on promoting advocacy and teamwork that allows PTs and PTAs to work at the top of their licenses, and her entry-level textbook, "Role of the PTA: Regulations and Responsibilities," is used in many PTA programs to help reinforce that expectation. 

Katelynn Downey, PT, DPT, OCS
Katelynn Downey earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 2018 and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in 2021. She completed her Orthopaedic Residency through Regis University in 2022. She is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.  

 Katelynn has experience in leadership in the Hospital Based Outpatient Physical Therapy setting as well as Private Practice setting. She became a member of the American Physical Therapy Association as a student in 2019 and was inspired by the remarkable speakers at the Cerasoli Lecture at CSM Denver in 2020. Following residency training, she became the Federal Affairs Liaison for Colorado and a Delegate-at-Large from 2023-2024. 

Katelynn is passionate about advocating for the physical therapy profession and helping her colleagues become involved in the APTA. She understands the importance of unity and connectedness among new and experienced Physical Therapists because that’s where real, transformative change begins. Being a PTPAC Trustee is her path to fostering that unity within our profession.

David Harris, MBA, PTA
David has practiced as a physical therapist assistant since May 1999. He has completed his Bachelor’s and Masters of Business Administration, as well as become a certified trainer, coach, and speaker through the John Maxwell certification program.

David currently works for Spear Physical and Occupational Therapy and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer; his daily focus is on daily operations and growth of the practice. David has also served in leadership roles with the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association as the Chattanooga District Chair, Tennessee Reimbursement Chair and Tennessee Membership Chair. David has served at the national level of the American Physical Therapy Association as a PTA Caucus representative, PTA Caucus Delegate and PTA Caucus Chief Delegate. David also serves on the Federation of State Boards currently serving as the board chair for the Tennessee Physical Therapy Licensing Board and on the Executive Board of FSBPT’s compact commission.

David devotes a significant amount of his time in the growth and leadership development for the physical therapy community.

• Vistage CEO group
• Harvard School of Business Management, 2021
• Certified Trainer, Coach, and Speaker, 2016
• Master of Business Administration, 2014
• Certified Integrative Manual Therapist, 2010
• Bachelor’s in Business Administration, 2007
• Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage, 2001
• Associate of Applied Science (PTA), 1999

Meghan Hennessy, PT, DPT, OCS
Meghan Hennessy, PT, DPT, OCS, is a board-certified orthopaedic physical therapist based in Chicago, IL. She specializes in outpatient musculoskeletal rehabilitation including pelvic health, performing arts medicine, and running analysis. Meghan earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and completed an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency at Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where she now works as a full-time outpatient orthopaedic therapist.

Beyond her clinical work, Meghan has participated in research, teaching, and volunteer work. She has presented at national conferences, served as a teaching assistant for Northwestern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, and contributed to professional development initiatives within Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. She collaborates with the Chicago Marathon community, performing running analyses and educational outreach to runners. She also contracts with USA Soccer, supporting the U.S. Women’s CP National Team. 

In addition to her clinical aspirations, Meghan is actively involved in advocacy. Passionate about advancing the profession, she serves as a Board Trustee for the APTA Physical Therapy Political Action Committee (PTPAC) and represents Illinois as an Assembly Representative for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association. Through her work, she remains dedicated to improving patient outcomes, mentoring future physical therapists, and advocating for the profession on a national level.

Peggy DeCelle Newman, PT, MHR
Peggy DeCelle Newman, PT, MHR has practiced as a physical therapist for forty years in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient orthopaedics, institutional long-term care and home health. Additionally, she has managed allied health professionals in each of these settings.

Peggy’s teaching experience began as Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) at the University of Oklahoma from 1988 through 1993. She then served as the PTA Program Director at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) for eleven years from 1995 - 2006. After leaving OCCC, she practiced clinically for a year returning to the University of Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Sciences faculty in 2007 as the Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor.  Peggy returned to OCCC and PTA education in January 2013. A scholarship in her name was created upon her retirement from fulltime faculty in May 2021. She is currently serving as Interim ACCE for the Seminole State-Gordon Cooper PTA Program in Shawnee.

Peggy has served the American Physical Therapy Association Oklahoma in many roles including Chapter President and Chief Delegate. She completed two consecutive terms as Chief Delegate in 2012.  She currently serves as Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates and as Western District Director.

She was selected as a 2010 APTA Lucy Blair Service Award recipient.  She was elected in June 2013 to the APTA Nominating Committee (NC) and appointed as the NC Liaison to the APTA Leadership Development Committee in 2014.  Peggy was appointed by the APTA Board of Directors to the National Awards Committee - Subcommittee on Lectures and the APTA NEXT Planning Committee beginning July 2016 through June 2020.  The OPTA honored Peggy with the Mark Acker Memorial Mentor Award in 2017.

She was appointed to the Oversight Panel for the Analysis of Practice for the PT and PTA Licensure Examination by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy 2005 - 2007. She was appointed by the Federation as a Core Member Continued Competency Certification Reviewer in 2011 and subsequently invited/appointed to serve as a “Final Reviewer” for the Continued Competency Certification in 2012.

David Norris, PT, MS
David Norris, PT, MS has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years in a variety of settings including acute care, industrial rehabilitation and private practice.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business from DePauw University and his Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. 

David has served in many leadership positions in APTA including Vice President, Nominating and Membership Committee Chair as well as Delegate and Chief Delegate of APTA Indiana. In 2016 he received the Francis C. Ekstam Award for outstanding contributions to the Physical Therapy profession in Indiana.  He also served as a Delegate for the Texas Chapter and was the Nominating Chair of both the Academy of Leadership and the Tech SIG.  As an advocate for PT, David facilitated the March on Washington for his state and was involved in Indiana’s decades-long fight for Direct Access.  He has routinely spoken to PT classes regarding leadership and advocacy, participated in state legislative days, the Federal Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill visits.  In 2020 he became a PTPAC Ambassador and is honored to now serve as a PTPAC Trustee.

Dr. Erin Sayles, PT, DPT
Erin is a dedicated Physical Therapist and emerging leader in the profession. A proud graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Erin practices in RI with a clinical focus in Orthopedics, Aquatic Therapy, and Pediatrics. Since the start of her Physical Therapy journey, Erin has been passionate about advocacy and advancing the profession through meaningful policy change. Over the years, she has actively participated in state and national advocacy efforts, meeting with legislators to discuss key issues impacting Physical Therapy and educating peers about the importance of being engaged in the legislative process.

Her commitment to advocacy has only grown and evolved with APTA Rhode Island, where she serves on the Legislative Committee. In recognition of her impactful contributions, she was honored with the Emerging Leader Award by the American Physical Therapy Association. She was also highlighted in her state for her leadership skills as an APTA Rhode Island Scholar.

 
With a strong voice and unwavering dedication, Erin brings fresh perspective and energy to the PTPAC Board of Trustees, ensuring that the next generation of physical therapists is represented in shaping the future of the profession.

Ali Schoos, PT
Ali Schoos, PT, graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma WA in 1982. Between then and 2000 she worked in a private practice, managed a hospital based sports medicine clinic, opened a private practice in 1987, and worked for a national PT company for six years as their group director in the greater Seattle area.  She then returned to private practice in 2000, after co-founding Peak Sports and Spine Physical Therapy with her husband, a group of 8 private practice clinics, practicing in Bellevue, WA. She has been a board certified orthopedic specialist from 1993-2023. She retains a small ownership in the clinics that have largely been sold to the partners she and her husband developed from their employees.

Ali has long been an active volunteer and advocate for the PT profession. She has been the secretary and chair for the Orthopedic Special Interest group, state insurance liaison for APTA Washington for nine years, a delegate to the HOD, past board member for Washington state PPSIG, served on the APTA Private Practice Section Board of Directors for six years, as well as the Covid advisory task force. She served on the APTA advisory group for primary care PT and the development of the APTA telehealth certification series. She currently serves on APTA PPS Nominating Committee, the telehealth subcommittee for APTA PPS payment policy committee, and is an APTA PAC Trustee. She is a key PT for APTA and APTA PPS and active in legislative advocacy in Washington state. She was awarded the Washington state PT of the Year in 1993 for her insurance advocacy and again in 2021 for her work on obtaining telehealth payment and delivery parity in Washington during the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. She also advocates for Alzheimers’ and ALS research, medication access, and patient resources. She has presented on numerous topics, most recently for APTA and APTA PPS webinars on telehealth, advocacy, and marketing, as well as developing and moderating “Chelan Chat” for the Washington State PPSIG annual meeting in 2022 and 2023. Ali has served her local community on the Alzheimers’ Regional Advisory Board, the Bellevue YMCA board, her parish council, fundraising efforts for her children’s school, and coaching her kids in soccer when they were young enough to not be too technical yet! She loves the physical therapy profession and is happy to serve in any way that facilitates our movement forward as a profession and helps us to better meet the needs of our patients, while keeping us financially viable as a profession.

Arie J. van Duijn, PT, MSPT, EdD
Arie J. van Duijn has been a practicing physical therapist for 35 years, and currently is a Professor of Physical Therapy at the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Florida Gulf Coast University. His current area of practice/teaching includes orthopedic physical therapy with a special interest in manual therapy of the spine and the extremities, Ultrasound Imaging, and EBP.

He has served as FPTA SW District Chair and Regional Director, served on the FPTA Board of Directors from 2004-2008 and from 2018-present, and served as Chair of the FPTA Conference Committee from 2006-2009 and committee member until 2019. He served on the FPTA Nominating Committee from 2008-2011. He served as FPTA Chief Delegate from 2018-2022 , has served as FPTA HOD Chapter Delegate from 2001-2022, and currently serves on the APTA HoD Reference Committee. He is a member of the APTA workgroup for the Revision of the Manipulation Education Manual. He was the founding president of the Academic and Clinical Faculty Special Interest Group of AAOMPT, and serves as the Chair of the AAOMPT Practice Affairs Committee.  He has served on the AOPT Research committee, and is currently a member of the AOPT Education Committee Ortho DPT Faculty Work Group.