Dr. Joe Palmer, PT, DPT, PhD Candidate

Dr. Palmer is running for Delegate at Large in the 2023 APTA Colorado Elections. 

Dr. Joe Palmer is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Physical Therapy Program. Joe is also a PhD Candidate in Education Leadership, Policy, and Research at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs with planned graduation in December 2023. He obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Slippery Rock University and his undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Northern Colorado. As a Recreation Therapist, Joe worked in Skilled Nursing and adolescent psychiatric services at the Colorado Mental Health Institute – Pueblo. He also served in the Colorado Army National Guard, first as a Medical Laboratory Technician and then as Combat Flight Medic. As a PT, Joe has worked in academic clinical education full-time since 2012 with two different universities and prior to his transition to academia, worked in clinical practice in acute care, subacute rehabilitation, OP services, and wound care from 2002-2012. Currently, Joe’s primary research interest is focused on clinical-academic partnerships and he was recently named to the newly formed national Academic Council of American Physical Therapy (ACAPT) Partnership Task Force. Joe has served as a delegate for the Washington state chapter of the APTA prior to moving back home to Colorado and found the experience to be highly rewarding. He is excited to have the opportunity to serve as a delegate again. Due to Joe’s role in academic clinical education, he is in the unique position to interface with clinicians across the state of Colorado and across practice settings. This state-wide opportunity to communicate and hear clinician challenges, values, and concerns will allow for authentic representation of all Colorado PTs and PTAs within the House of Delegates.

Identify and describe current or previous leadership positions and/or work experiences that make you qualified for this position:
I served as an At-large Delegate to House in the past as a member of the Washington state chapter of the APTA. I had to end my term early when I accepted my current position and moved back home to Colorado. I have served in other leadership roles such as past chair of the Northwest Intermountain Clinical Education Consortium and have recently been named as one of ten national members to the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) task force on partnership taskforce. I am our university faculty representative to the APTA PT Moves campaign dedicated to increasing diversity within the profession of PT and am also an active member of the CO APTA Clinical Education Consortium. I have presented locally, regionally, and nationally and am comfortable public speaking. My PhD is in Education Leadership, Policy, and Research with an expected completion later this year. This program focused heavily on policy analysis and development and the course work I received will directly translate to how I think about and approach motions to the House throughout my term.

What strengths do you bring to the Colorado Chapter and what strengths would you bring to the position you are running for?
Beyond what I've listed above, I really believe (and love) that I am in a very unique position in that I communicate with and visit clinicians around the state of Colorado in my role as an Assistant Director of Clinical Education for CU PT. I routinely communicate with clinicians from Burlington to Durango and all points in-between as well as and up and down the front range. This opportunity to communicate directly with PTs across the state will allow my to be an excellent delegate on their behalf. I will be able to speak to rural challenges, urban challenges, as well as practice setting specific challenges our clinicians routinely deal with. I also have an approachable persona and because I have interacted with hundreds of PTs across the state, I am optimistic that clinicians will feel comfortable reaching out to me to provide input on specific motions as well as be willing to provide their perspectives to me.

What are weaknesses of the Colorado Chapter and what improvements would you like to make?
I'm not really a fan of the term "weaknesses" but like the APTA in general, there is traditionally a membership gap between the number of active PTs in the state and those who are members of the APTA and CO chapter. It is hard to claim representation when such a small percentage of clinicians are providing their voice. I know it is challenging with finite resources but I would like to see continued grass-roots efforts to grow the membership. I've often wondered if a reduction of dues would actually increase membership resulting a net balance of income for the organization. I also would like to see more opportunities for community engagement. There is such an interest (and need) to promote the profession of PT to elementary, middle, and high school students in their schools and clubs/organizations that they participate in. I'd like to see a more robust structure where the CO APTA can connect interested clinicians with organizations to provide this education and community outreach.