By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

For the first time in 10 years, the state of Kentucky will have an American Physical Therapy Association Kentucky Student Conclave — and it will be hosted by students from the College of Health Sciences’ Physical Therapy program.

Set to take place from 4-8 p.m., April 13 at the Charles T. Wethington building, the conclave promises an enriching experience for attendees, and features an exhibit hall with numerous sponsoring businesses, engaging educational sessions, a complimentary dinner, a national advocacy event and raffle giveaways valued at up to $1,000.

“It’s a really cool event, a way for students from other programs to get together, network, meet each other,” said Maddie Hancock, a third-year UK physical therapy student graduating in August, and co-chair of UK’s student chapter of APTA Kentucky. “The more people we get to know, the more connections we make, the more that just helps us later down the road. We also have many different sponsors, so we’ll have an exhibit hall at the event where all the businesses will be there to talk to, network, potentially make connections for future jobs.”

The educational sessions will cover a diverse array of topics, including sports psychology, navigating the transition from student to clinician, opportunities in residency/PhD/fellowship programs, neuro adaptive sports and advocacy.

“One of the sessions is on different developmental paths as a physical therapist,” Hancock said. “So, whether that’s going into a residency program, a PhD, or a fellowship, learning about how to apply to those, when to apply and what really the programs entail. Another session is about how to successfully transition from a student to a clinician. I know that can be a big challenge, a big jump in life.”

Attendance is free for APTA members and $10 for non-members. 

“This is newsworthy because it has been 10 years since this event took place,” said Deborah Kelly, PT, DPT, MSEd and associate professor and Director of Professional Studies for the Physical Therapy program. “These students have been very busy and very dedicated to making this happen.”

Hancock said the students hope to again make this an annual event, possibly rotating to other campuses across the state.

“This is one of the reasons why this program is so wonderful — we can do things like this,” Hancock said. “We have a group of professors and staff members that are really working hard to make the program the best that it can be and make us the best clinicians that we can be. Everyone works very hard, and they want the best for us, and I think that’s the main thing.”

For more information, visit: https://aptaky.org/events/events/student-conclave