Patricia Brick PT, MS, GCS

As chapter president my role is to act as a conduit to help make things happen. I need input and support from the membership to help lead and guide the Council of Directors so that we create the kind of changes that the membership wants and needs. I want to hear from you. Contact me via email Pbrick@aptanj.org or by calling me at my place of business (609) 645-8282.

Brian Mason PT, DPT

I'd like to extend a special thank you Heather Murray-Miller, Daniel Prata and the Communications Committee for their hard work and dedication in making this new website a reality!

Beth Hoffman, PT

Hello and Welcome to the new website!

Please refer to the Awards section on the APTAnj Home Page for award categories and eligibility, and contact me if you have any questions or nominations. It’s important to recognize our colleagues’ dedication and hard work. You can also contact me here about bylaws questions and comments.  I’m excited about this communication link and encourage everyone to participate! 

Ronald Fudala PT, DPT

The dramatic downturn in the economy this past year and its continued downward spiral has everyone on a tight budget, including the Association. To help our members through these challenging times, APTA has some valuable resources for you, including 4 FREE online programs [see APTA Learning Center www.apta.org/learningcenter], tools to help you brand your physical therapy practice [see BrandBeat], a mentoring program [Members Mentoring Members], FREE access to PT-related research [Open Door: APTA’s Portal to Evidence-Based Practice], as well as tools for challenging times which features 12 emerging PT practice arenas, resources for managers & owners, and a documentation tip sheet. Get the most out of your APTA dues dollars by taking advantage of these resources and opportunities to “power network” at our local district and chapter meetings. For those practices with 100 percent APTA membership, consider applying for the APTA Facility Challenge and also take a look at the APTAnj Advertising Partnership Program, which reimburses up to $1,000 to help you market your practice. If you have any questions about APTAnj, please feel free to contact me, Ron Fudala, via email. cardshark33@comcast.net

Leslie Soulen PT

Each year, in the fall, APTAnj members elect colleagues to represent us each June at the APTA House of Delegates. If you are detail oriented or have an interest in policy making & governance, participation as a delegate is the perfect way to become more involved with APTA and get to know the movers & shakers of this profession! To learn more about the delegate experience feel free to contact some of our current delegates. If you are interested in running for one of the delegate positions or would like to nominate someone, please contact a member of the APTAnj Nominating Committee nominate@aptanj.org. Click here to meet the NJ delegation or to learn more about becoming a delegate and the “House”. http://www.aptanj.org/delegate/index.cfm

Pritee Coulianidis, PT MSPT, DPT

I have been a licensed physical therapist in New Jersey for the past 6 years and an APTAnj member for the past 9 years and have had the pleasure of serving as the Director-at-Large for the Central District for the past two years. In the past I have held various APTAnj positions including Central District Secretary, Central District Vice Chair, and Chair of the Membership Committee. I have had the incredible experience of serving on the Council of Directors for the APTAnj which has proved to be an invaluable experience. I continue to receive valuable mentorship from the experienced members of this organization that have paved the way for me. I also look forward to providing guidance to the emerging generation of physical therapists.

My focus for the past two years as Director-at-Large has been to increase attendance at district meetings, increase locations of meetings, and increase overall APTAnj membership. District meetings are the fundamental level of participation and access to the physical therapy profession. My goals will continue to be to increase this grass roots participation, access, and attendance in the Central District. I look forward to serving APTAnj and therapists in the Central District in the future.

Jeff Flyer PT

We have 3 district meetings per year—Fall, Winter, and Spring and welcome all APTA members and prospective members to join us at these meetings.  Each meeting consists first of a brief business meeting to discuss relevant APTA issues and to hold elections when appropriate, followed by an educational lecture on a topic of interest to our members.  These meetings also provide a good opportunity for networking with colleagues in our region and a chance to share information and concerns affecting our profession.  If you want to have a role in the direction of  your profession, get involved in person and attend a meeting!   We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting

Matthew Mesibov PT, GCS

Hi, my name is Matt Mesibov and I am Director at Large for the Southern District of APTAnj.    

My responsibility is to function as a liaison between  our Southern District membership and APTAnj.  A special interest or two of mine is advocacy for our profession, quality assurance and compliance issues as well as supporting the clinical growth of physical therapists in all areas of focus or specialization.  I along with the Southern District Vice Chair, Jodi Handler and our Secretary, Oren Bennett plan to bring the membership topics that will not only stimulate the mind but also support you all to be active in advocating for the future of our profession.  There are many critical issues going on now with Health Care Reform and I believe that advocacy must happen at our district level, supported by the chapter and National APTA as well.  If you would like to contact me, you can do so at: mattkadima@comcast.net or  matthew.mesibov@foxrehab.org .

We are always looking for people who care about the profession and wish to volunteer to help our profession successfully grow!!!

Heather Murray-Miller PT

Hello, and welcome to our new website! Many thanks to our Communications Commitee (formerly the Electronic Task Force) for their hard work. (See that committee under our Committees page for our Chair and members' names). APTAnj's goal is to provide timely, efficient and easily found or received communication to each APTAnj member with this website. Additionally, consumers will find information and direction to resources here, and non-members will see information available through membership.  Please browse our site;  there is a search box to ease your navigation as needed. Specific to communication: We now offer RSS feeds (an option to subscribe to have  information "pushed" to you as it is added). No more wondering if there is anything new in Advocacy/Legislation, Continuing Education, etc...you will know! Also, there is a listserv  for cross-chat among members, and a bulletin board for committees and SIGs to use to allow improved communications. The sections "Council Corner" will allow updates from Directors on activites in each area of APTAnj.  "About APTAnj" explains the organizational mission and function.  There are "Ads and Classifieds" (please browse and post!), "Featured Therapists", and more. Further content is coming, and increased functionality planned. Please look, and please give us feedback to improve: hmmaptanj@gmail.com and dprata@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Keri Bratcher PT

Hello!!!  Thank you for taking the time to browse our new website, Welcome!

If you have any comments or questions regarding legislation affecting our profession, you have come to the right place.  You can contact me here regarding any state or federal legislative issues.  I look forward to this improved method of communication with our membership and  I hope that everyone takes advantage of this opportunity! 

Michael T. Eisenhart, PT

Greetings NJ Therapy Pros - My name is Mike Eisenhart and I've recently (5/2010) taken on the role as Director of Membership and although I'm sure there are several more formal definitions of what that means, I'm interpreting it in this way:  My job is to make sure that the APTANJ operates in a way that ensures your professional experiences are as rich and diverse as our profession itself.

As the new kid on the block (more in the plucked from "passive member" obscurity and less in the "Hangin' Tough" sort of way), I hope to bring a unique perspective to the organization that a husband/dad/practice owner/prevention & wellness pro/amateur endurance athlete/generally high-energy person can.

In addition, I hope to connect with you soon to hear your thoughts and perspectives.  Until then, please feel free to email me any time:  meisenhart@pro-activity.com and may your care and expertise make today a great day!

Spiridoula "Doula" Riley, PT, DPT

Since graduation from Seton Hall University’s program in 2005, I have been a practicing clinician at JFK Medical Center. I have climbed the clinical ladder from staff to senior therapist, and have achieved the level of clinical consultant. Through being a part of a hospital system, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with clinicians in all aspects of PT, as well as partake as a clinical instructor to physical therapy students and assist with developing other physical therapists through mentorship and in-services. I have also realized another benefit of the hospital system, which is the increased ability to connect with experienced and young professionals.

I have been an active member of APTAnj since 2001 and have served in various roles of the Association including secretary of the NJ Student Assembly and the Northern District, House of Delegates representative or alternate (since 2006) and a member of the Practice Committee.  Through these various positions, I have gained a great appreciation for the organization’s mission, strategic plan and infrastructure. These experiences helped to impress upon me how each committee and branch of the association must have a cohesive relationship with one another in order to effectively promote the profession. In addition, I have attended many political functions on behalf of APTAnj to represent and to speak with politicians as to the importance of physical therapy and the positive impact we have on our patients’ lives.

The Director of Practice is charged with coordinating APTAnj efforts to meet the clinical practice and professional needs of its members.  In this ever-changing political environment, there is a need for strong leadership from within the Association in order to continue to protect and promote our profession. I believe that I have a solid foundation to fulfill the specific duties of this position through the combined exposure of my clinical experience and my professional involvement of the Association.  I welcome the opportunity to serve our Association in this capacity and appreciate your support.