Moving Nevada: Empowering Our Community with Physical Therapy · APTA NV

A Seat at the Table or On the Menu?: The Importance of Flash Action Strategy Participation

·19 min·1 clip

Jen Nash welcomes Laura Keevil to discuss how PT students can impact advocacy through flash action strategy.

This episode of Moving Nevada features host Jen Nash interviewing Laura Keevil, the APTA's Senior Specialist of Grassroots and Political Affairs, about political advocacy for physical therapists. They focus on the importance of professional engagement and a specific initiative called the Flash Action Strategy. Keevil explains this strategy was created by students roughly eleven years ago to leverage social media for advocacy. The Flash Action Strategy is a two-day social media blitz focused on a particular topic to harness student enthusiasm. It has generated over 90,000 advocacy activities by physical therapy and PTA students since its inception. In presidential election years, the campaign focuses on raising awareness and funds for the PT PAC, the profession's political action committee. The conversation underscores that advocacy is crucial for the profession to have influence on healthcare policy. Keevil stresses that without active participation, physical therapists risk having decisions made for them by others. A central metaphor presented is that professionals must choose between having "a seat at the table or being on the menu" in policy discussions. The episode highlights that student involvement is particularly powerful because lawmakers pay attention to their stories and perspectives. The PT PAC uses contributed funds to support political candidates who understand and champion the value of physical therapy. The discussion frames advocacy not as an optional activity but as a professional responsibility for all clinicians. The tone is motivational and educational, aimed at inspiring listeners to take concrete political action. The style is a direct, informative interview between two association professionals. This episode is ideal for physical therapists, students, and PTAs in Nevada and beyond who want to understand their role in the political process. Listeners with no interest in the policy or legislative aspects of the healthcare profession might find the content less relevant.

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