Advocacy – ATI Physical Therapy Careers Blog

Fighting for the Future of Physical Therapy and Occupational…

March 5, 2026

At ATI, our leaders remain committed to the causes that impact our industry and the current and future professionals at the heart of it. Recently, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer Chuck Thigpen, PhD, PT, ATC, spoke out against the January 29, 2026, proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Education to reclassify physical and occupational therapy as a “graduate degree program” for federal student loan purposes. He urged others to advocate for the future of the physical therapy and occupational therapy professions.

Understanding the Potential Impact

At a time when the profession is already facing nationwide workforce clinician shortages, Thigpen encouraged the ATI organization and his professional network to speak out to protect the future of rehab for our patients and ourselves as providers. Ramifications of this reclassification include:

Leading the Way in Athletic Training

July 8, 2025

Every year, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) hosts its annual conference, highlighting industry progress, hosting educational sessions, and offering opportunities for ATs to connect as professionals. ATI Physical Therapy is proud to be a part of the event, showing support for the specialized care Athletic Trainers provide in the communities and worksites they serve.

Creating Mobility within the AT Profession

July 8, 2025

Athletic Trainers (ATs) do important work in the communities they serve. With this growing recognition and need for ATs, the Council of State Governments (CSG), Department of Defense (DoD), and Board of Certification (BOC) have partnered to develop a new interstate compact to allow licensed Athletic Trainers to practice across state lines physically and remotely.

Advocacy for Alabama Athletic Trainers Pays Off

July 8, 2025

Education is the foundation of any career, but rising costs within our society present a challenge for many healthcare professionals, including Athletic Trainers (AT). Within many school and worksite settings, Athletic Trainers are the first point of contact in many health-related situations and often the bridge to athletes, workers, and community members seeking further care. Their role within the communities they serve is essential, and as a result of advocacy efforts, legislators in the state of Alabama are recently passed HB288 to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk for signing to provide loan assistance for Alabama Athletic Trainers.

Advocating for the PT Profession and our Patients

May 14, 2025

ATI Physical Therapy continues to be a voice for change in the physical therapy industry to support our clinicians and patients. This spring, CEO Sharon Vitti continued ATI’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. She and other leaders in the industry, including those from the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI), met on Capitol with Representative Buddy Carter, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. There, they discussed strategies to reduce fall rates among seniors and improve patient safety. However, the efforts do not stop on Capitol Hill. Our teams have also opened their doors to lawmakers for them to saw firsthand how PT can improve and impact lives.

APTQI

February 14, 2025

Work continues in Washington, D.C., to pass the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act. Originally proposed in the spring of 2024, the SAFE Act would include a fall risk assessment by a physical or occupational therapist as part of a Medicare beneficiary’s annual wellness visit.

Advocating for the PT Profession

May 21, 2024

As part of our unwavering commitment to our patients and clinicians, ATI partnered to found the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) in 2014 and continues serving as a board member with other outpatient therapy companies. These partnerships allow ATI to leverage our size with other like-minded companies to advocate for reimbursement, changes in authorization/credentialing, state board regulations, and other essential factors that influence industry progress. In April, CEO Sharon Vitti traveled to Washington, D.C., with members of APTA and APTQI to advocate for the SAFE and REDUCE Acts to improve PT access and reimbursement.