Registration is open for the Annual APTA-NE Student Conclave hosted by NSSIG! This year’s event will be held November 4, 2023 at the Southeast Community College Health Sciences Building in Lincoln, Nebraska and we want to see you there!

This year at the Conclave there will be four educational sessions offered. Attendees will have time to attend two of them in-person. No virtual option will be offered.

For the first time, we will be hosting a career fair for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students! Be sure to take some time to visit all of our exhibitor booths! 

To wrap up the Conclave, we'll have a legislative dinner with Senator Tony Vargas as our guest speaker. The dinner will take place on the Southeast Community College campus at the Great Plains Culinary Institute. 

AGENDA:

Welcome - 3:00 - 3:30 pm

1st round of Presentations - 3:30 - 4:10 pm

2nd round of Presentations - 4:20 - 5:00 pm

Exhibitor/Job Fair - 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Federal Advocacy Dinner - 6:00 - 7:00 pm 

PRESENTATIONS: 

Southeast Community College - Health Sciences Building

Cash-Based Practice by Judy Gelber, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Judy Gelber is a Ph.D student in Leadership Studies at UNL in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC). She is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and has a clinical doctorate degree in physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis along with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Gelber is also the small business owner of Forward Movement, a physical therapy education and practice platform focused on professional development for movement professionals. Her research interests involve understanding and improving quality of life among healthcare workers. 

Outside of school and work, Dr. Gelber identifies as an athlete and spends her time participating in and coaching CrossFit, running, and spending time outdoors. 

Travel Physical Therapy by Melanie Sallas

Melanie Sallas prides herself on offering great customer service and communication to better connect people in finding opportunities. She is an experienced lead facilitator, creating one-of-a-kind learning experiences, perfecting the art of building relationships and confidence in everyone.

As a Student Outreach Coordinator at Fusion Medical Staffing, she is an invaluable resource inside the medical staffing industry to help all new grads and first-time travelers as they transition into their careers and on to travel opportunities. She has traveled nationwide to universities and conventions to host, inform, and educate future candidates on the benefits of travel careers.

Nebraska Loan Repayment Program by Jok Akech 

Jok Akech is the Health Program Manager for Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program. Their department's mission is to define and promote the development of a health care system that assures the availability and accessibility of quality health care services to meet the needs of people living in rural Nebraska. 

Their office develops state rural health policy in consultation with the Rural Health Advisory Commission. Programs and activities are designed to assist rural Nebraskans get high quality health care through recruitment and retention, identifying community leaders, and having an information clearinghouse.

Residency Education by Megan Frazee, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT

Dr. Frazee grew up on a dairy farm in Pawnee County, Nebraska. She attended Kansas State University and then earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UNMC. Dr. Frazee has experience in a variety of settings, including acute care and sub-acute rehab, with the majority of her career spent in outpatient. She is Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, and maintains an active clinical practice at Nebraska Medicine. 

Dr. Frazee primarily teaches in the musculoskeletal related courses, including guest lecture related to chronic pain. She also serves as the Residency Director for UNMC's Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program, where she enjoys coordinating the residency curriculum to help advance the next generation of orthopedic specialists. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the PT student organization, SUN-APTA, as well as the Nebraska Student Special Interest Group (NSSIG), and she regularly volunteers at UNMC's pro-bono clinic. 

Keynote from State Senator Tony Vargas (District 07) 

Federal Advocacy Dinner: (Southeast Community College - Great Plains Culinary Institute)

Sponsored by APTA-NE Legislative Committee

State Sen. Tony Vargas has announced a bid for the Democratic nomination to represent the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. 

Sen. Vargas has devoted his career to public service and improving opportunities for all Nebraskans. He has served our community since 2013, first as a member of the Omaha Public Schools Board and then as a member of the Nebraska Legislature. As a senator, Tony has developed a reputation for civility and working with anyone to get things done for Nebraska workers and small businesses. He has successfully passed legislation to strengthen our public schools, improve access to health care, encourage technology and innovation, and improve consumer protections.

The first generation of his family to graduate college, Tony earned his Bachelors of Arts degree at the University of Rochester and a Masters in Education at Pace University. Tony and his wife, Lauren, are raising their two young kids, Ava and Luca, in Omaha. They are proud parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini Church, where Tony and Lauren were married.

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

Purchase your package today to secure your opportunity to get in front of 100 students at this state-wide event.

Click here for exhibitor & sponsor packages and click here for the exhibitor schedule, then click the registration button for this event to purchase your package. 

DEADLINE: November 2, 2023

Why sponsor this event?

Students choose to attend the student conclave for the opportunity to learn professional content that is delivered at their current level. It is rare for them to also have the opportunity to meet face to face with employers around their busy class schedules. This conference is their chance to meet employers and for you to recruit the next generation of PTs and PTAs. By sponsoring this event, your organization has a unique opportunity to get in front of these individuals. 

We look forward to seeing sponsors and attendees at the conclave!

Best,

Molly Watt - Nebraska Student Special Interest Group President

Doctor of Physical Therapy Candidate 2025

Creighton University | School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Nebraska Student Special Interest Group | President