2023 Student Symposium: Fostering Knowledge, Networking, and Growth | Event Recap

Garden City, NY - Saturday, October 14, 2023

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The 9th Student Symposium, held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Professional Athletic Performance Center in Garden City, NY, was a resounding success. The event, hosted by Professional Seminars and Professional Physical Therapy's Clinical Affiliation program, aimed to provide an educational experience akin to continuing education courses, while also serving as a platform for students to connect and network across programs and schools.

Keynote Speakers and Diverse Topics

The symposium featured distinguished keynote speakers, including Roberts Shapiro, Vice President of Clinical Excellence for Professional Physical Therapy, and Steve Schneider, CEO of Professional Physical Therapy. The symposium also featured experts led discussions on a wide range of topics, including the "Healing Continuum," "Hierarchy of Rehabilitation and Athletic Development," "Hand Therapy," "Upper Extremity Progression," "Lower Extremity Progression," and "Trunk and CORE Progressions."

Cross-Institutional Participation

Students from numerous educational institutions enriched the symposium's discussions. The list of participating schools included NYIT, Quinnipiac University, Nassau Community College, Tauro University, Suffolk Community College, Stony Brook University, Boston University, Clarkson, Concorde Career College, CUNY Hunter College, NYU, Plymouth State University, Quincy College, Rutgers University, Saint Joseph's University, Salus University, Seton Hall University, Tufts University, Columbia University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Scranton, Washington University, and William and Paterson University.

Inclusivity Across Disciplines

One of the distinguishing features of the 2023 Student Symposium was its inclusion of students from various disciplines, spanning Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), and Occupational Therapy (OT).

Networking and Beyond

The symposium was not just about lectures and workshops. Attendees had the opportunity to explore informative booths set up by vendors, gaining insights into the latest advancements in their field. Networking sessions provided students with a platform to forge valuable connections with their peers and established professionals.

A Vision for the Future

Professional Seminars, the driving force behind this annual event, is committed to maintaining and expanding the Student Symposium in the years to come, rekindling its regional presence as it was before the pandemic.

Voices of the Attendees

Participants shared their thoughts on the symposium:

"I appreciated the interactive parts of each program where we witnessed exercise demonstrations."

"The speakers felt genuine and were exceptionally accommodating in addressing all our questions."

"Accessibility and the free nature of this event for students are commendable. The inclusion of case studies proved particularly helpful in bridging the gap between theory and clinical practice."

The 2023 Student Symposium was more than just an event; it was a celebration of education, networking, and personal growth. It signified Professional Seminars' unwavering commitment to empower the next generation of healthcare practitioners.