Advocacy & Research

NABPT has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing research and advocacy within the physical therapy profession. The organization has contributed to national conversations by presenting scholarly work at leading conferences, including the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), where NABPT highlighted research on its mentorship initiatives, including the Mentor Monday program. NABPT has also presented at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), addressing the impact of social structures on historically excluded populations in the United States, and sharing perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Additionally, NABPT has contributed to DEI-focused programming at both CSM and the Educational Leadership Conference (ELC).

Beyond conference presentations, NABPT actively fosters a culture of scholarship among its members by encouraging the development of scholarly products and supporting the dissemination of surveys and focus group initiatives to better understand and address community needs.

NABPT’s advocacy efforts extend through collaboration with key professional organizations, including the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT), and American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), where NABPT contributes to DEI-focused calls to action. The organization has also played an active role in the National Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission (NEDIC) Summit and its subsequent steering committees, helping to shape ongoing national initiatives.

Further demonstrating its commitment to advocacy and visibility, NABPT collaborates with partners such as PTLI, AAPT, and APTA on the annual Lynda D. Woodruff Lecture Series, held around Juneteenth, which centers and uplifts the voices and contributions of Black physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

Through these efforts, NABPT continues to drive meaningful change by advancing research, amplifying underrepresented voices, and advocating for a more equitable and inclusive profession.