"Leadership is not about having all the answers".

What advice would you offer to future IPTA Presidents and leaders as they guide the association forward?

Serving in leadership within the Illinois Physical Therapy Association is both an honor and a responsibility. My advice to future IPTA Presidents and leaders is to always keep the mission at the center of every decision. The association exists to support our profession and ultimately improve the care provided to patients. When challenges arise—and they will—returning to that shared purpose will help guide the right path forward.

Equally important is listening. IPTA is made strong by the diversity of its members: clinicians, educators, students, and practice leaders across many settings. Take the time to truly hear their perspectives and experiences. The best solutions often emerge when we create space for dialogue and collaboration.

Finally, remember that leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about building relationships and empowering others. Surround yourself with passionate volunteers and trust their expertise. When leaders invest in people and foster a spirit of teamwork, the association continues to grow stronger for the next generation.

Tina Frank, PT, MBA
IPTA President 2022-2027
APTA Member since 1995

"You catch more flies with honey".

Who or what inspired you most during your presidency, and why?

During my tenure as IPTA president, I found myself inspired— in an odd sort of way—by individuals deeply committed to their causes, political stances, or defending their turf.

Many examples I recall relate to politics and regulatory issues. I quickly observed that passionate individuals and groups often pursue their goals with such determination that they disregard factual evidence, happily relying on misinformation or what can be termed 'alternative facts.'

An illustrative case involved opposition to physical therapists doing dry needling. Opponents, convinced of their correctness, presented arguments that were often inaccurate or naïve about physical therapy. To effectively engage with these passionate opponents, I learned to first focus on their underlying motivations and to recognize that they were not interested in being educated by me. The next step was to manage my own emotional responses—initially challenging but I believe I got better at it.

My aunt’s advice, 'You catch more flies with honey,' served as valuable guidance. This approach helped me work toward constructive dialogue even when being argumentative was my natural tendency. At this point I am inspired by those who are better in these situations than I am! 

Mary T. Keehn, PT, DPT, MHPE
IPTA President 2013–2015
APTA Member since 1978

What made you proudest to serve as President of IPTA?

I served two terms as Chapter President in the late 1980's and early 1990's.  One of those years was especially busy in Springfield.  Thinking back, I am proudest and most thankful for the numbers of members who rallied to help support our legislative efforts.  All of those who showed up to help did so on short notice and on their own time and expense and from across the state.  Activities that they were involved in included: manually putting hand moistened stamps 1200+ pieces of mail MULITPLE times as there was no email or internet as we know today; calling, writing, and meeting with legislators; attending legislative fundraisers and donating money to the PAC; going to Springfield to meet with legislators and attend committee hearings; and meeting with members of the Board of the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois PM&R Society, and the Illinois Orthopaedic Surgery Association.

When a divide occurred in the membership over our practice without referral legislation we were able to get a group of 12 members, 6 in favor and 6 opposed to the legislation to agree to get locked up in a conference room all day on a Saturday.  Their goal was to come up with a compromise that all agreed to live with.  The result of that meeting of the minds was the basis of the legislation we were able to subsequently get signed into law.

I am proud that as a result of extreme work of a few of our members and hard work by a lot of our members we were successfully able to get 3 major pieces of legislation signed into law that year. We obtained a rewrite of our licensure act to tighten up enforcement.  We obtained licensure of the PTA.  We opened up options for practice without referral including the wellness/fitness arena as well as being able to treat people based on a documented diagnosis. At the time it was a giant step forward in the path to Direct Access.

Sue Suria, PT
IPTA President 1987–1990
APTA Member since 1974

If you cared about the future of this profession, you got involved.

As IPTA celebrates 75 years, what do you see as the greatest opportunity for the association in the years ahead?

When I began my career as a physical therapist more than 50 years ago, I learned early that if you cared about the future of this profession, you got involved. Membership in our state and national associations was not optional if we wanted physical therapy to grow, earn respect, and protect its place in healthcare.

Throughout my career, I have seen the profession make remarkable progress. We stand on the shoulders of pioneers like Mary McMillan, Henry and Florence Kendall, and Stanley Paris, but I have also seen firsthand how strong leadership continues to move us forward. The transition to the DPT, the momentum of Vision 2020, direct access, autonomous practice, and evidence-based care did not happen by accident. They happened because our profession spoke with a unified voice.

That is why I am excited about the future of IPTA and APTA, and why I chose to serve the IPTA as President. Physical therapy is more important than ever in a healthcare system seeking better outcomes, greater value, and effective alternatives to surgery and opioids. I believe our strongest future will come from staying engaged, leading boldly, and continuing to stand together as one profession.

Mike Riley Sr, PT
IPTA President 2016-2021
APTA Member since 1973

From Legislative Wins to Lasting Foundations.

What issue or challenge most defined IPTA’s work while you were President, and how did the association respond?

Building IPTA’s state legislative capacity was a major emphasis during my four years as President. Fortunately, we had a solid foundation on which to build from the substantive efforts of my predecessors, Sally Edelsberg, George Wolf, and others. Our Legislative Chair, Babette Sanders, our lobbyist, and key legislators enabled IPTA to successfully amend the Physical Therapy Practice Act to allow evaluation of patients without a physician referral. This was a huge win for IPTA and positioned us to be a long term influencer in Springfield.

The legislative calendar dominated our leadership lives; however, other issues were similarly important. A major APTA House of Delegates initiative was to move physical therapy to a post baccalaureate degree entry level. Transitioning the accreditation of physical therapy education programs from the American Medical Association to APTA, and the certification of physical therapist specialists were also key APTA initiatives.

Another major endeavor for IPTA was moving its business operations from a part time staff person working from their home to a professional association management firm. Although the change had many challenges and was frustrating, it was the first step to the successful professional management structure we enjoy today.

Finally, the energy and drive of a young president, as I was, sometimes leads to mistakes or pushing down a path fraught with peril. I know I hurt some feelings and ruffled some feathers. For that, I apologize. At the same time, blessedly, I had some wonderful mentors and a strong board to help keep us on track. It has been a joy for me to be a part of IPTA for all these years, to celebrate the success of the physical therapy profession, and to build lasting bonds with so many dedicated, caring, and capable professionals.

Donald E. Jackson PT, MS
IPTA President 1979–1982
APTA Member since 1970

This math doesn’t work.

What challenges do you believe will define the next era of IPTA leadership?

As an Association, IPTA is our profession voice in Illinois and outside of Illinois. Our leaders must address professional issues such as licensure, ethics and others. In the next era, I think payment for our services must be at the top or near the top of their agenda. Along with many other healthcare professions, we continue to experience annual reductions in the payment for our services along with increased administrative burden. On top of these challenges, our students are coming out of school with record student debt that for some will adversely affect their lifestyle.

We all manage our checking accounts in a way that deposits into that account, ideally, will be more than debits out of that account, so that at the end of the month, there are a few dollars left. If we see our debits going up and our deposits going down, we know we are in trouble and need to make some changes. That is the future of our profession. The payment for our services continues to go down while the cost to provide the service goes up, especially the salary cost. That is unsustainable. IPTA leadership and our national leadership must support ways to reverse this course. We must be creative in developing alternative payment methods that support a Doctor of Physical Therapy salary. Personally, I feel an experienced PT salary should mirror the salary of a Primary Care Physician. For MSK patients, we are providing the same or higher benefit to the patient. This will not be easy to achieve, but I do feel if our leaders put a higher emphasis on this issue, we can make some progress so that we can continue providing what our patients want and need.

Rick Rausch, PT, DPT
IPTA President 1997-2000
APTA Member since 1973

Then. Now. Still matters.

What is something about IPTA from your presidency that you hope members today still recognize and value?

I was IPTA President in the mid 1990s. When I took on the role, I had previously served as IPTA Legislation Chair and Chief Delegate. Both positions helped prepare me for the responsibilities that are inherent in the presidency and all these positions helped cement my passions for leadership, advocacy and national recognition for the IPTA. These elected offices in Illinois also provided a solid background for my service on the APTA Board.

This time period marked our professions desire to demonstrate how our education, knowledge and clinical skills could enhance patient care and allow greater access to physical therapy for many patients. Our goal was to improve direct access and move from evaluation without a referral to a more comprehensive approach to allowing consumers to come directly to a physical therapist without physician referral. Yes, there were limitations and requirements and we still do not have complete and unrestricted direct access. However, what was accomplished 30 years ago by a dynamic leadership team, who became good friends, on endless trips to Springfield and during meetings with the Illinois State Medical Society laid the foundation for where we are today. It was hard work! I wouldn’t have traded those years for anything.

My APTA mentors, especially Robert Babbs, Sally Edelsberg and Don Jackson offered their sage advice as I developed my leadership skills. I hope I’ve done that for others!

Babette Sanders, PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA
IPTA President 1993-1996
APTA Member Since 1970