Several physical therapy students at Anne Arundel Community College, the University of Maryland at Baltimore and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have developed an interest in the legislative process and in the grassroots activism that is important to our profession and our patients. We have come to realize that each legislative session brings up old and new issues that could dramatically change the way we practice physical therapy. We believe that it may be possible to take our learning one step further and actually participate in the democratic process as students.
 
As a result, the APTA of Maryland student committee has an annual advocacy academy to prepare students for the meeting with legislators and to educate students and members about the advocacy process.  The program will involve several interactive activities designed to make students more comfortable with the process and with speaking about current issues in a professional manner. Participants will engage in mock meetings with legislators, mock meetings with legislative committees, and a Q&A. While participation in the advocacy tract is not a prerequisite to the Advocacy Day, we believe it will be an enriching event to all students.
 
Students will learn about:

• grassroots advocacy
• the life of a legislator
• do’s and don’ts of meeting with a legislator
• and current issues

We believe this kind of event would be invaluable to students. As professionalism in action it would meet the following educational objectives: 1) Educate students on the state legislative process 2) Educate students on the importance of grassroots advocacy 3) Educate students on current issues affecting the practice of physical therapy 4) Educate students on what it means to be in a profession not just an occupation 5) Educate students on what the Maryland chapter of the APTA can do for members, and what members can do for the Maryland chapter
The program will be facilitated by former and current Chapter government relations leadership and our lobbyist.

Anne Arundel Medical Center

The fees for this course cover the price for the luncheon.