APTA Nebraska Podcast

E25 - Chapter Updates with President Nick Weber

We celebrate Nebraska’s new PT and PTA graduates while making the case for staying connected through APTA to strengthen the profession and reduce burnout. We also break down timely state and federal policy updates that could shape workforce, reimbursement, postpartum care, and access to physical therapy across Nebraska.  • Graduation season highlights and why association membership keeps the PT community together  • Nebraska Rural Health Workforce Incentive Program basics, eligibility, award types, and the end-of-June deadline  • Differences between the workforce incentive program and Nebraska loan repayment, plus why you cannot do both  • Federal RISE Act designation ruling and how lower federal loan caps could impact the DPT pipeline and access to care  • New federal bills to repeal MPPR in Medicare and to boost postpartum physical therapy awareness through HHS education  • Simple ways to track legislation and take action using the APTA Advocacy app  • Upcoming APTA Nebraska nominating and legislative committee meetings and why networking matters  • A practical framework for involvement: support, show up, steer  Anyone that wants to participate, please reach out to Nick. You can find my email on the APT Nebraska website.  Episode Links: APTA Nebraska: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association [https://aptanebraska.org/]

E24 - Takeaways from the APTA Nebraska Spring Conference

Get a recap from the APTA Nebraska Spring Conference as we break down key business meeting updates, chapter priorities, and what’s ahead for the profession across Nebraska. We also highlight Nebraska-led research and connect with conference sponsors who are partnering with therapy teams to develop practical orthotic and prosthetic solutions that improve patient care and outcomes.  • Recognizing award winners and thanking outgoing leaders for years of service  • Expanding ChoosePT outreach through community events and public visibility  • Explaining Nebraska jurisprudence exam updates and optional CEUs  • Sharing recent legislative victories affecting prior authorizations, Medicaid support and medical liens  • Outlining the 2026 budget approach and why we’re reinvesting in marketing  • Breaking down the 2030 strategic framework with advocacy, communication and engagement as core themes  • Featuring a tele-rehab physical activity study for mild cognitive impairment and care partners  • Discussing ACL reconstruction biomechanics research, platform presentations and the value of CSM networking  • Highlighting Lim Lab devices including grasp assist tech and a drop foot step sock discount  • Hearing how Hanger supports therapists with free continuing education and patient resources  Episode Links: Limb Lab: Limb Lab Prosthetic & Orthotic Care  [https://limblab.com/] Hanger Clinic: Prosthetics & Orthotics | Hanger Clin [https://hangerclinic.com/]ic

E23 - Conversation with New EPSIG President Cole Meadows

We talk with Cole Meadows, the new EPSIG president, about how early-career PTs and PTAs in Nebraska can find mentors, build community, and grow into confident clinicians. We also share an easy way to connect in person and why simply showing up can change your first five years of practice.  • New EPSIG leadership and what the executive team is focused on • Why early professionals benefit from networking across Nebraska • Mentorship that can be formal or casual based on your schedule • How Cole uses mentors beyond outpatient orthopedics to stay sharp across settings • Recruitment of more mentors in central and western Nebraska • Leadership development as the next area of growth • Community as an antidote to burnout and isolation in healthcare Contact Information: EPSIG Email Address:  neapta.epsig@gmail.com EPSIG Webpage: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association - Early Professional SIG [https://aptanebraska.org/Early_Professional_SIG] Network Night: Who: EPSIG members, graduating students, and EPSIG mentors When: Thursday April 30th 7:00–8:30 PM Where: Sonny’s 1905 S 67th St, Omaha, NE

E22 - Chapter Updates with President Nick Weber

We share a quick president’s desk update with the wins, gaps, and next steps shaping physical therapy across Nebraska. We cover the Capitol visit, where the medical liens bill stands, why our ballot needs more names, and how to stay connected through conference season and new APTA resources.  • Takeaways from Legislative Day and strong student participation  • Status of LB 1012 medical liens bill and unanimous committee support  • Plan to move the bill forward through LB 912 as a legislative vehicle  • Virtual ballot update and need for nominations, especially nominating committee roles  • Encouragement to step up despite imposter syndrome and time barriers  • Annual conference schedule, registration, business meeting, and banquet networking  • SPARC resource for payer advocacy, denials, appeals, and reducing admin burden  • Condolences to Pat Hageman and ways to find service information on association social media. Episode Links: * Legislative Advocacy: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62787&docnum=LB912&leg=109 [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnebraskalegislature.gov%2Fbills%2Fview_bill.php%3FDocumentID%3D62787%26docnum%3DLB912%26leg%3D109&data=05%7C02%7Chalmnathan%40clarksoncollege.edu%7C63327155a1b345d6e3fa08de7fa378cc%7C2a6dd7705db3449f9d911ae8a60b1d8d%7C0%7C0%7C639088537350377823%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NYSITUJkfA%2BWPYqTw0Vi0fwKYp24BYgQH%2Bq7F9f9uTw%3D&reserved=0] * Annual Conference: https://npta.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnpta.starchapter.com%2Fmeetinginfo.php&data=05%7C02%7Chalmnathan%40clarksoncollege.edu%7C63327155a1b345d6e3fa08de7fa378cc%7C2a6dd7705db3449f9d911ae8a60b1d8d%7C0%7C0%7C639088537350406645%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fKY0lfGsC48pWtwXIFcx%2BgVz5IBsuk804Y4h2jvQiGc%3D&reserved=0] * State Advocacy Resource Consortium (SPARC): State Payer Advocacy Resource Consortium (SPARC) | SPARC [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsparc.apta.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Chalmnathan%40clarksoncollege.edu%7C63327155a1b345d6e3fa08de7fa378cc%7C2a6dd7705db3449f9d911ae8a60b1d8d%7C0%7C0%7C639088537350423072%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rOCNgf3tsSOs9J2kDRzJe3dj4pjSzsqbGexncWi%2F7OM%3D&reserved=0]

E21 - From Treatment Table To Corner Office

Brad is joined by APTA NE President Nick Weber and two rural hospital CEOs, Robert Dyer and Chris Nichols, who began as physical therapists share how mentorship, risk, and relentless networking moved them from the clinic to the role of CEO in rural hospitals. We unpack the realities of running critical access hospitals, from Medicare Advantage pressures to building student pipelines and modernizing direct access rules. • Clinician to executive transitions rooted in mentorship • Why rural hospitals enable faster innovation • Strengths PTs bring to leadership and culture • Financial literacy, cost reports, and 340B pressure • Medicaid redeterminations and access to care • Coalition advocacy across health associations • Workforce development through student rotations • Private practice collaboration that drives policy wins • Barriers to hospital-based direct access in Nebraska • Building relationships with lawmakers that matter • Community pride in Geneva and Cozad Show Links: APTA NE Annual Conference Registration April 10-11th: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association - Meeting/Event Information [https://npta.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=75&ts=1743437755] Show Guests: Cozad Community Health System CEO: Robert Dyer [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcozadhealthcare.com%2FAbout%2FLeadership&data=05%7C02%7CHalmNathan%40clarksoncollege.edu%7C71e3ebdf3cde452cd1c708de7e053244%7C2a6dd7705db3449f9d911ae8a60b1d8d%7C0%7C0%7C639086757967256070%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IAwYdGL1SN4s2MzKykP9YUVrMrwof8yEsAe%2F8NKDbgk%3D&reserved=0] Fillmore County Hospital CEO: Chris Nichols [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myfch.org%2Fabout%2Fchris-nichols%2F&data=05%7C02%7CHalmNathan%40clarksoncollege.edu%7C71e3ebdf3cde452cd1c708de7e053244%7C2a6dd7705db3449f9d911ae8a60b1d8d%7C0%7C0%7C639086757967288339%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iRhq0gIf0ZdG2n6C5OJ3g0rVF0%2BTpYWPPlIVWhHViK4%3D&reserved=0]