2026 Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference (ELC)

We're excited to welcome you to the 21st Annual Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference (ELC) co-hosted by the APTA Academy of Education (AoE) and the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT).

NPTE Panel Discussion

Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8:00 am - 9:30 am ET

How can academic programs and employers work together to better support students as they prepare for the NPTE and transition into professional practice?

Join us at ELC for an interactive panel discussion bringing together academic and employer perspectives to explore strategies for supporting student success across the education-to-employment continuum.

The session will include audience Q&A and conclude with practical takeaways participants can bring back to their programs and organizations.

Panelists: 

Nikesh Patel, PT, DPT, Executive Director, Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation

Simon Hargus, PT, DPT, MBA, Owner, First Settlement Physical Therapy

Beth Moody-Jones, PT, DPT, Ed.D., MS, OCS, University of New Mexico Albuquerque

Moderator:

Kimberly Varnado, PT, DPT, DHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT, College of Saint Mary

Come ready to ask questions, share what’s working in your program, and identify new opportunities to support the next generation of physical therapists.

Register here

Program Directors Roundtable

Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 5:30 - 7:00 pm EST

Register here

Sponsored by: 

Topics:

• Navigating Policy Change: Compliance, Ethics, and Program Mission
• Financial Aid, Admissions, and the Changing Economics of DPT Education
• Accreditation Community of Practice
• Curriculum Governance and Decision-Making
• Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Development
• Effective Advocacy
• Program Innovations Worth Sharing
• The Evolving Role of the DPT Program Director

Takeaways:

• What is one idea worth sharing?
• What is one issue requiring additional work?
• What could ACAPT or the broader DPT education community do to help?