DEI

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, and 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:

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!

2024 CIC Project Winners


The 2023-2024 Community Impact Challenge winners presented during the membership meeting at the APTA NC Annual Conference. Congratulations again to Katie Tanji from Campbell University and Caroline Guill and Alicia Wilson  from Elon University.  You can learn more about their community projects and initiatives below.


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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Community Impact Challenge

*2024-2025 Community Impact Challenge winners will be announced in early 2025. 

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


In addition to monetary awards to support the project/activity, award winners (1 per project) will be awarded registration for the APTA NC Annual Conference and Student Conclave. 


The application for 2026 is now open.  Applicants will be notified of their application’s status by January 2026.  If selected for funding, applicants must commit to implementing the proposed project/activity by September 2026 AND present an overview of the project at the APTA NC Annual Conference in October 2026 (date TBD). 



2023 Community Impact Challenge Winners

2024 Community Impact Challenge Winners


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. 


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