ORLANDO, March 20, 2009 — Physical therapy's growth as a profession
and its implications for clinical education were the topics of a conference
hosted by UCF's Program in Physical Therapy and Student Physical
Therapy Association, the Florida Consortium of Clinical Educators and
the American Physical Therapy Association.

The conference, "Embracing Clinical Education Standards, A Work
in Progress," was held March 13, 2009, in the Student Union at UCF's
Orlando campus.

Among the some 60 attendees were representatives from local
and statewide physical therapy programs, including clinical instructors
and partners with UCF's physical therapy program.

Speaking at the event were APTA officials Jody Gandy, D.P.T., Ph.D.,
director of academic and clinical education affairs, and Kenneth
J. Harwood, PT, Ph.D., vice president of the practice and education
unit.

A focus of their talks and the ensuing discussions were the clinical
expectations of students, clinical instructors and entry-level graduates.
UCF physical therapy students provided valuable input.

Instructor Patrick Pabian, PT, D.P.T, SCS, academic coordinator of
clinical education for UCF's physical therapy program, coordinated the
conference. The event was the third in a series that will be continued
by APTA.