Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

The DEI Committee seeks to integrate the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging throughout APTA North Carolina's work and activities to optimize the experience of members and leaders in the organization.  Additionally, the committee seeks to promote these values to external stakeholders to:

  1. increase the awareness of physical therapy as a profession for NC citizens in economically and educationally disadvantaged parts of the state and those of minority backgrounds
  2. increase messaging to citizens in economically and educationally disadvantages parts of our state about physical therapy as a choice for care.


What's the latest?

In collaboration with APTA North Carolina's PTA Director, Tiffany Needham, the APTA North Carolina Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee developed "The APTA & You: Value in PTA Membership & Engagement." This presentation is targeted to PTA students with a goal of increasing their knowledge about the various opportunities that exist with APTA membership and ways that APTA North Carolina can support them along their professional journey. While the target audience is PTA students, all members of the physical therapy profession may benefit from viewing this presentation. 


APTA and You: PTA Membership and Engagement Resources:

Community Impact Challenge (CIC)

In an effort to support community engagement and service in underserved communities, APTA North Carolina’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee launched the Community Impact Challenge (CIC) which will award 2 programs (all DPT and PTA programs are eligible) monetary awards up to $1,500 each to assist with the implementation of a project/activity that addresses a community need.


The application for 2026 is now open.  Applications are due by November 14, 2025.   Grants will be awarded by January 2026.  If selected for funding, applicants must commit to implementing the proposed project by September 2026 AND present an overview of the project at the APTA NC Annual Conference in October 2026 (date TBD). 


CIC funding may be used for direct costs or other reasonably supported expenses related to the costs.  The funds cannot be used for overhead or indirect costs.  A successful proposal will thoroughly address each anticipated cost/expenditure with a clear justification and include an itemized budget to support projected expenditures



2025 CIC Winners:

  • Central Carolina Community College PTA Program (submitted by Brittany Burns, SPTA); CampMED - a week-long health sciences camp for rising 10th graders to promote the interest and value of health science professions

 

  • Elon University (submitted by Sixela Caballero, SPT); Health Outreach Program of Elon (HOPE) - partnership with the CityGate Dream Center to develop a food pantry providing culturally appropriate food options for the community



2023 Community Impact Challenge Winners

2024 Community Impact Challenge Winners


  • CIC Application Form

    We encourage collaboration.  The application form will ask for collaborations (e.g., PT/PTA collaborations, community partners, etc.)

    Application Form

  • CIC Criteria

    Download criteria here.

    CIC Criteria

  • CIC Scoring Rubric

    Download the scoring rubric here.

    CIC Scoring Rubric

  • CIC FAQs

    Download answers to frequently asked questions here.

    CIC FAQs

  • Best Practices for Responsible Community Engagement

    Please take best practices into consideration.  Downloadable here.

    Best Practices

Annual Conference Food Drive


APTA NC Annual Conference attendees donated 90 lb. of food to the food drive benefiting the High Point University Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic Food Pantry.  The food drive was organized by the DEI committee in partnership with the NABPT.


Thank you to everyone who donated!

Kudos!


Congratulations to APTA NC DEI Committee members and partnering institutions who were recognized during the APTA NC Annual Conference Awards Ceremony: 

  • Gary E. Johnson, PT, DPT, PhD, ATC/L - APTA Minority Scholarship Award
  • Cipryana Mack, SPT - Outstanding Student PT Award
  • Winston-Salem State University - APTA Minority Initiatives Award

  • Deidra Charity (Chair of DEI Committee) & Lynnz Brewer (DEI Committee Member)

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  • DEI Committee info table at Annual Conference

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  • Jerri Shepard, Deidra Charity, & Judy Foxworth (DEI Committee Members)

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  • Diversity Dialogues 2.0 at APTA NC Annual Conference

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  • Holden Cox (Vice Chair of DEI Committee) & Jerri Shepard (DEI Committee Member & Chair of Geriatric SIG)

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Lots of ways to get involved!

Committee Membership

Interested in joining the APTA NC DEI Committee? Create an account on APTA Engage. The application for the APTA NC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Member will open on September 30, 2024 and close on December 1, 2024. 


PT Moves Me ~ You can help!

UNC DPT's APTA PT Moves Me Ambassadors presented at Smith Middle School in Chapel Hill, NC for their WOW! World of Work Career Exploration Camp on July 9, 2024


Would you like to talk with students in grade school, middle school, high school, or college about our profession?  Consider becoming a PT Moves Me Ambassador and Help Recruit future PTs and PTAs!






For more information about APTA NC's DEI committee, contact the DEI Chair.