Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA 

Dr. Rapport is running for Chief Delegate Elect in the 2021 Board Elections.

Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, is a Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pediatrics and is the Director of the University of Colorado Pediatric Residency and University of Colorado Faculty Residency. She is also the Student Services Coordinator and Director of Admissions in the PT Program. Prior to becoming a core faculty member of the PT Program in 2005, she was the Director of Interdisciplinary Training and Education at JFK Partners and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) OT/PT State Consultant for the Health Care Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs. She teaches several courses in the PT Program and assists with multiple administrative duties and leadership responsibilities. She is the Co-Director of the Teaching Scholars Program in the School of Medicine and coordinates the PT Program Education Scholarship Group. Dr. Rapport is well published in her discipline with over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts and several book chapters, and she has been a speaker at numerous conferences and workshops. Her research focuses on pediatric PT services, IDEA law and policy, and physical therapist education. Dr. Rapport has served in many APTA positions, including in APTA Pediatrics, and on several national committees and task forces. She also has been involved with work at FSBPT and ABPTRFE. She was honored to receive the APTA Lucy Blair Service Award and to be named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA.

Why do you want to serve in the above position?
It has been a long-term goal of mine to return to serving in a leadership position in Colorado where I can support the development of the profession while representing licensed PTs and PTAs in Colorado. I believe I understand the needs of APTA members in Colorado and that I have the organizational skills to coordinate the delegates along with the experience to support new delegates in their role as they seek to serve Colorado in a voting capacity in the House.

Why do you feel qualified to serve in the above position?
I have been serving as a delegate to the House of Delegates almost continuously since 2008. I served as a Delegate-at-Large from APTA Colorado in 2008, 2009, and 2010. I was an alternate delegate for APTA Pediatrics from 2011-2013, and since 2014 I have been serving in the role of Chief Delegate for APTA Pediatrics. In my role as Chief Delegate, I have attended all C/S/A (Chief, Section, Assembly) meetings, all Western Caucus meetings, and all House Virtual Town Hall meetings. I am very familiar with the role and responsibilities of a Chief Delegate, and I believe I could serve the Colorado chapter (APTA Colorado) well. I understand how the HOD operates, how motions are developed, and how to engage members in the governance process. I am also familiar with APTA Colorado and understand how the delegation has been representing the members of this state.