August 14, 2013

Drexel’s Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Department hosted the 8^th Annual Innovations in School-based Physical Therapy Practice conference here in Philadelphia on July 13 and 14, 2013. Margo Orlin, PhD, Department Chair and associate professor, led the coordination efforts and received assistance from a number of Doctor of Physical Therapy students who were compensated for their time with access to the educational materials and admission to the conference, both free of charge.

Innovations in School-based Physical Therapy Practice, formerly called “Providing School-based Physical Therapy Under IDEA,” is conference that has been held for a number of years by the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association. It is geared toward pediatric physical therapists practicing in school-based settings who face a variety of issues that are unique to that population in that particular setting. The conference draws nationally-known speakers from around the country who speak on both foundational and contemporary topics.

More than 150 participants traveled to Drexel’s health sciences campus from over twenty different states, making this year’s Innovations in School-based Physical Therapy Practice Conference the best-attended in years, Orlin said. Attendees were able to select one of two tracks to follow throughout the two-day conference: Foundational Topics or Contemporary Issues. There were sessions designed for practitioners just entering this area of the field as well as for seasoned practitioners who have been in school-based settings for a long time.

The conference took place in the New College Building. Hosting the Section on Pediatrics’ annual conference was a valuable opportunity for the College, for the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and for the DPT students involved. “It gave us a chance to discuss and market our programs,” Orlin explained.