The Louisiana Physical Therapy Board held its first ever Extra Mile Conference, an educational opportunity for PTs and PTAs throughout the state to gather in a secure environment where they could deepen their understanding of the regulations that govern the physical therapy practice in Louisiana.
The Board tapped subject matter experts from across North America to give licensees the chance to obtain CE credit while gaining clarity on the complex regulations within the healthcare system that impact their work. Additionally, the conference offered a platform for decision-makers to gain valuable insights from physical therapy professionals, providing a "boots on the ground" perspective on the practical application of these regulations.
The conference was held from January 31 - February 1, 2025. Between both days, over 230 PTs, PTAs, and physical therapy students arrived to the DoubleTree Hotel in Lafayette where the Board office is domiciled to partake in the unique sessions offered by the conference.
Speakers included Sharon Dunn, PT PhD (Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, Professor of Physical Therapy, and Vice Chancellor of Academic Administration at LSU Health Shreveport), Representative Brach Myers (Louisiana House of Representatives for District 45), Senator Fred H. Mills, Jr. (Louisiana State Senate for District 22) , Kristina Lounsberry, PT, ATC (Industrial Strength Work Rehab Center, FSBPT, Society for Total Worker Health, Katie Brittain, PT, DPT, MBA (Payment Chair for APTA-LA), Alice Bell, PT, DPT (Senior Specialist, Health Policy and Payment - APTA), and many more.
The Extra Mile Conference allowed PT and PTAs licensed in Louisiana the opportunity to gain up to 12 hours of Board-approved CEUs. In addition to offering an ethics and jurisprudence sessions, the schedule offered attendees the following sessions (and more):
- Understanding Why Reimbursement Policies are Structured the Way They Are
- Making Informed Decisions: Strategies for Successful Audit & Fraud Prevention
- Appeals Uncovered: When, How, and Where to Get Help
- Roundtable Discussion: Shaping the Future of PT Reimbursement
- Addressing Healthcare Workforce Shortages: The HERO Fund
- Navigating the Lawmaking Process: Insights on Public Protection, Access to Care, and Practice Reform
- Healthcare Gone Wrong: Top Criminal Cases and Lessons Learned
- HPSO Data Analysis
Board members and speakers also joined in on roundtable discussions to take questions directly from the audience.
With the success of the Extra Mile Conference, the Board hopes to be able to provide more similar educational opportunities and thanks licensees, speakers, event coordinator APTA-LA, and Board staff for making this event such an amazing success.