Over 400 APTA members across North Carolina were in attendance at the event in Elon University's Francis Center.
Elon University’s Department of Physical Therapy hosted the American Physical Therapy Association North Carolina (APTA-NC) on Oct. 17-18 to highlight research, network and award students for their achievements in the field.
Robert Nithman, physical therapy chair and program director, welcomed attendees to the Francis Center on Oct. 17 during the membership meeting.
Mary Kay Hannah, associate professor of physical therapy and president of APTA NC, presided over conference proceedings and was awarded the 2026 APTA NC Founder’s Lectureship Award.
“It was such an honor to welcome so many distinguished physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students from across the state to the beautiful Francis Center,” said Nithman. “By hosting the APTA NC Annual Conference, Elon helped the North Carolina APTA chapter save over $50,000; funds that will now be reallocated towards legislative advocacy efforts and student scholarships.”
Two second-year doctor of physical therapy students (DPT), Sixela Caballero and Naomi Lackamy, were honored as APTA-NC scholarship award winners. Caballero was this year’s Keskula Family Student Scholarship recipient and was also recognized for leadership in community service and engagement in Elon’s HOPE pro-bono Clinic as a winner of APTA NC’s Community Impact Challenge alongside Sadie Thompson. Lackamy received the Diversity Student Scholarship.
Additionally, two DPTE student projects had their research abstracts accepted for peer review. Addison Swofford presented her poster on “Guillain-Barré Syndrome and the Importance of Therapeutic Alliance in Pediatrics,” mentored by Bill Andrews, professor of physical therapy. Danielle Essex and Alannah Thomas presented their poster on “Fatigue, Fatiguability, and Gait Changes Following Large Amplitude and Treadmill Training in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease,” mentored by Crystal Ramsey, associate professor of physical therapy.
Read more about Elon’s physical therapy program.