APTA And The Foundation For Physical Therapy Announce New Foundation Bylaws

Main Category: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 30 Aug 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The Foundation for Physical Therapy (the Foundation) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) are pleased to announce a change in the governance structure for the Foundation. The new Foundation bylaws, taking effect January 1, 2010, clarify the relationship with APTA. With government regulators placing greater scrutiny on nonprofit organizations and others, this change will insure compliance with new laws, with a heightened focus on governance issues and transparency. All of this will enable the Foundation to continue its mission of funding the most promising researchers dedicated to the development of evidence-based practice and enhancing the quality of physical therapy services.

The Foundation and APTA worked together to develop the new bylaws, which were approved by APTA's Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Trustees during PT 2009: APTA's Annual Conference & Exhibition in June. As part of the transition, the process will include the establishment of standing committees and a new Board of Trustee election "cycle." The Board of Trustees will manage the affairs of the Foundation and will include one non-voting member to be selected by the APTA Board of Directors from among its members. The collaborative relationship between the Foundation and APTA will continue under the new bylaws.

Foundation Chair and President of the Board of Trustees William G. Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, said, "We are extremely grateful for the support that APTA has provided over the years and look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come. The changes to the bylaws provide greater guidance to enhance our partnership, allowing us to support the most promising research in the physical therapy profession, while operating the Foundation in a more transparent and efficient manner." He added, "As always, we remain accountable to our donors and committed to the integrity of the research we fund."

According to APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD, "The Foundation has served the physical therapy profession well for years and APTA has enjoyed a strong working relationship with this organization. It is a fact of life in today's nonprofit environment that we must review and refresh our methods of governance. Under these new bylaws, we anticipate working even more closely together to help the profession reach its goal of evidence-based practice by the year 2020."

The Foundation for Physical Therapy was established in 1979 as a national, independent, non-profit corporation dedicated to the ultimate goal of improving the quality and delivery of patient care. The Foundation accomplishes this goal by providing support for scientifically based and clinically relevant physical therapy research.

Contributions to the Foundation for Physical Therapy are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations and can be made via check (payable to "Foundation for Physical Therapy") or credit card at http://www.FoundationforPhysicalTherapy.org.

Source
American Physical Therapy Association