~From your perspective, what is the biggest challenge of the profession? As APTA approaches our bicentennial in 2121, we reflect on how we have moved from an inward facing profession to an outward facing one. Previously, we focused on our own autonomy, now we look outside of our profession to multidisciplinary collaboration to solve the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow. This, as Sharon Dunn, APTA president touted in her 2018 Presidential Address, is apparent when looking at our Vision Statement which reads: Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. The biggest challenge I see is where do we begin. First, how effective we are at transforming society will hinge upon better public awareness on whom we are and what we have to offer. For instance, we have an opportunity to transform pain management and improve health as we go beyond the opioid epidemic. In support of this, I attended the APTA Federal Advocacy Forum and educated policymakers on Capitol Hill about how PT was a viable alternative and solution to opioid use. Most of the bills being brought forward were on addiction to opioids, not prevention. PT can fill this important gap. Secondly, in order to optimize movement, we need to continue the viability and vitality of our profession by decreasing unwarranted variations in practice while maintaining patient individuality, decrease the burden of student debt, and address value and payment issues. Thirdly, we want to improve the human experience for our patients, ourselves as providers and society. The increasing demands of administrative burdens in healthcare are taking a personal toll to healthcare providers including PTs, PTAs and students. Anxiety, depression and burnout are on the rise across the board in healthcare. Each of these important healthcare obstacles are opportunities for us to collaborate with others in the healthcare arena to create sustainable solutions to these important problems. ~Why do you want to serve in the capacity in which you are running for office? This year at the APTA House of Delegates, we address many topics that were brought up by the Special Committee of the House of Delegates. This committee is revisiting, analyzing, collating and updating APTA s documents. We looked at and discussed many of these documents this year. Some of the topics we discussed included enhanced proficiency and continuing education for the physical therapist assistant, mentoring, residency and fellowship education, and pro bono services. They will be bringing more back to the House of Delegates next year. I am very excited to continue my service on behalf of the Virginia Chapter and to be apart of examining these and other topics that will come up next year. ~What experiences have you had in APTA, VPTA, or other organizations that might help you in your elected position? George Mason University (GMU) 2017. Panelist. GMU. Careers in Healthcare. International Society of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 2017. Attendee/Teaching Assistant. ISPRM 11 th World Congress (pain and ultrasound). American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 2018. Presenter. APTA NEXT Conference and Exposition. A Head Case: Injury to Integration. 2018. Presenter. APTA NEXT Conference and Exposition. Overcoming Obstacles: Nothing Is Impossible. 2018. Presenter. APTA NEXT Conference and Exposition. Transforming Health Care Delivery - Case Presentations.
2018. Presenter. APTA NEXT Conference and Exposition. A Systematic Approach to Achieving Personal and Professional Mastery. 2018. Presenter. APTA NEXT Conference and Exposition. What Would You Do? Tactical Athletes/Management of LBP Following C-Section. 2017. Presenter. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Osteoarthritis and Running. 2017. Presenter. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Stilettos, Spit Up and Success. 2016. First Non-Physician Presenter. Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation Annual Patient Meeting. 2016-2017. Chair. APTA Nominating Committee. 2014-2016. Member. APTA Nominating Committee. 2016. Presenter. APTA National Student Conclave. Purpose. 2013-2017. Member. NEXT Conference and Exposition Work Group. 2009-Present. Delegate. APTA House of Delegates. 2000, 2001, 2012, 2013-present. Attendee, APTA Combined Sections Meeting. 2012-Present. Ambassador, APTA PAC. 2012-Present. APTA PAC Double Eagle Contributor. 2012. Attendee. APTA Federal Advocacy Forum. 2012. Attendee. APTA Leadership Forum. 2012. Attendee. APTA Vision Focus Group. 2012. Panelist. APTA National Student Conclave 2012-2017. Attendee. APTA CSA Meeting. 2012, 2013. Volunteer. APTA Nominating Committee Interviews. 2007. Panelist, APTA Annual Conference and Exposition, Why Mentoring: A Members Mentoring Members Professional Issues Forum. 2001. Selected Attendee, APTA Component Leadership Seminar 1999, 2001. Attendee, APTA Federal Government Affairs Forum. 2000-2001. Director, APTA Student Assembly Component. 2000. Presenter, APTA National Student Conclave. 2000. Usher, APTA House of Delegates. 1999, 2001. Key Contact, APTA Federal Government Affairs Forum 2000. First Annual Recipient, APTA Outstanding Student Liaison Award 1999. Charles Harker Memorial Fund Intern, Government Affairs and Women s Initiative Departments. 1998-Present. Member, APTA and VPTA. Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VPTA) 2017. VPTA Awards Task Force. 2016-Present. VPTA Dry Needling Work Group. 2010-2012. VPTA Vice President. 2007-2010. Chair, VPTA Northern District (VPTA BOD). 2009-2011. Attendee, VPTA Legislative Day. 2000-2011. Attendee, VPTA Annual Retreat. 2006-2007. Director, VPTA Northern District.
2006. Pilot, Shenandoah University Job Fair Fundraiser for the VPTA Student Relations Committee. 2001-2003; 2005-2006. Chair and Auction Captain, VPTA Northern District Ways and Means Committee. 2005-2007. Member, VPTA Non-Dues Revenue Taskforce. 2004. Founder, VPTA Student Special Interest Group in Virginia. 2002-2006. Chair, VPTA Student Relations Committee. 2003-2004. Member, VPTA Payer Relations Committee. 2002-2006. Chair, VPTA Annual Student Conclave. 2000-2006. Attendee, VPTA Annual Conference and Exposition. 1999, 2000. Chief Delegate, VPTA Annual Student Conclave. APTA Section on Women s Health (SOWH) 2017. SOWH SSIG Advisory Member. 2016-2017. SOWH Name Change Task Force. 2013. Member. APTA. Section on Women s Health. WCS Study Guide Work Group. 2013. Member. APTA. Section on Women s Health. Functional Outcomes Measure Task Force. 2012-2015. Member. APTA. Section on Women s Health. Poster and Platform Subcommittee. 2012-2015. Member, APTA. Section on Women s Health. Research Grant Subcommittee. 2012-2015. Director of Research, APTA Section on Women s Health. APTA Private Practice Section (PPS) 2015-2016. PPS Leadership Task Force. APTA Health Policy & Administration (HPA) The Catalyst 2017. Attendee. LAMP 101 Leadership Institute. Bodies In Motion Physical Therapy (BIMPT) 2018. Presenter. Leadership. 2016. Presenter. Bodies In Motion. Orthopedics in a Warm Dark Place. Other Professional Endeavors 2017. Attendee. Women in Leadership Summit. 2012 Founder and CEO of Optimal Motion, LLC. 2012-2015. Selection Committee Member. The Community Foundation For Northern Virginia Celebrate Cherie Scholarship. 2012. Adjunct Faculty Marymount University. Introduction to Trigger Point Dry Needling. 2012. Adjunct Faculty Marymount University. Expert Decision Making. 2011. Adjunct Faculty Marymount University. Chronic Pain and Functional Testing. 2002-2015. Member, Mid-Atlantic Physical Therapy Associates (MAPTA).
2008. Distinguished Speaker. Shenandoah University Physical Therapy Hooding Ceremony. RESEARCH INTERESTS/INVESTIGATOR (GMU, NIH) Collaborative Investigators: Jay Shah, Lynn Gerber, Siddhartha Sikdar, John Srbely, Dinesh Kumbhare, Matthew Bird 2018. Abstract ISPRM. Characterization of Local Muscle Fiber Anisotropy Using Shear Wave Elastography in Patients with Chronic Myofascial Pain. 2018. Abstract ISPRM. Comparison Among Pain Measures in People With Chronic Myofascial Pain With and Without Widespread Pain. 2016- Present. Characterization of Local Muscle Fiber Anisotropy Using Shear Wave Elastography in Patients with Chronic Myofascial Pain. 2016-Present. Women with Endometriosis. 2016-Present. Chronic Neck Pain. 2016-Present. Classification of Soft Tissue Pain Syndromes. 2016-Present. Pathways to pain. OTHER RELEVANT CERTIFICATES/AWARDS/ACTIVITIES/CREDENTIALING BIO APTA Lucy Blair Award Recipient, 2018 Marymount University Department of PT, Inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award, 2018 Volunteers of the Year Award for SOWH Name Change Task Force, 2018 Career Connection Faculty Award Nominee, 2015, first year teaching GMU. Employee of the Quarter for Bodies In Motion Reston Office, 2013 Innovative Component Award, Section on Women s Health, 2013 Certified Direct Access Practitioner Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Continuing Education Coordinator for Bodies In Motion Reston Office, 2010-present Center Coordinator of Clinical Education for Bodies In Motion Reston Office, 2010-2015 Center Coordinator of Clinical Education for Mid-Atlantic Region of Physiotherapy Associates, 2005-2010 Certified Clinical Instructor First Annual Recipient, APTA Emerging Leader Award, 2007 Secili DeStefano, PT, DPT administers premium care to a large, diverse population of outpatient orthopedic, tactical athletes, sports, women s and men s abdominal and pelvic health clients. Over the past several years in practice, she has focused on prevention, wellness, promoting health and
solutions for complex pain and clinical presentations. Dr. DeStefano is also a professor in the Health Administration and Policy Department for George Mason University and serves an adjunct for Marymount University and other PT programs. Her heart for patients, clients, athletes, colleagues and students locally, nationally and internationally leads her to foster research, speak on a wide variety of healthcare topics and serve as a leader in her profession. Secili has received professional accolades for her work experience, continuing education pursuits and her involvement in her professional association. She has served on the APTA Nominating Committee (Member and Chair) and NEXT Conference Work Group. She has also served as a Virginia (VPTA) Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. She has served as the VPTA s Vice President and Director of Research for the APTA Section on Women s Health. She received the Lucy Blair Award, Marymount University Distinguished Alumni Award, has received the distinction of Certified Orthopedic Specialist and Emerging Leader from the APTA. She has also been honored as a Distinguished Commencement Speaker. Her first year as a George Mason University professor, she was nominated by the students for the Career Connection Faculty Award.