PTA+ Physical Therapist Assistant

This week’s conversation pulls no punches: it’s time to stop waiting for someone to save your PT career. If you’re not embracing change, building tech literacy, and developing self-awareness, you’re falling behind.

We cover:

• The top skills for healthcare professionals by 2030
• Why “manual dexterity” is losing importance
• How to build career resilience starting NOW
• Using AI like ChatGPT as a clinical ally
• One unforgettable quote: "You're the boat. Start swimming."

This week’s conversation pulls no punches: it’s time to stop waiting for someone to save your PT career. If you’re not embracing change, building tech literacy, and developing self-awareness, you’re falling behind.

We cover:

• The top skills for healthcare professionals by 2030
• Why “manual dexterity” is losing importance
• How to build career resilience starting NOW
• Using AI like ChatGPT as a clinical ally
• One unforgettable quote: "You're the boat. Start swimming."

Many physical therapists and PTAs hit a career crossroads—burnout, stagnation, or the itch to try something new. In this episode, Jimmy and Katie Dwyer walk through a 4-question framework inspired by James Clear to help you rethink your next move.

If you’ve ever asked yourself: "What else can I do with my skills?" or "Am I stuck in this role forever?" — this episode is for you.

In today's episode, Katie interviews returning guest, Dr. Drew Wilcox, who is a PTA and PTA educator at Utah Tech. Drew talks about the reason he pursued a Ph.D. and then breaks down the groundbreaking research he performed for his dissertation on perceived stress in PTA students. His research dives into what the causes of stress are, the comparisons to DPT students, and what educators can do about it. 

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+! 

Contact Information:

You can reach Drew Wilcox at: [email protected]

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]

Follow the show on social media:

Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

In today's episode, Katie interviews Elizabeth Simmons, PTA, Federal Affairs Liaison to the PTA Council, and PTA Council Representative/Board of Directors member in Indiana. Elizabeth is well-versed in all things “advocacy” and breaks it down for us. She helps describe advocacy from a 30,000-foot view, as well as the intricate details of speaking in person with your state representatives. Elizabeth describes some of the tools that are available for PTs, PTAs, and patients to use to advocate for the profession and change. 

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+! 

Contact Information:

You can find Advocacy Tools here: https://www.apta.org/advocacy/take-action

You can reach Elizabeth Simmons at: [email protected]

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]

Follow the show on social media:



Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

In today's episode, Katie and Sean Bagbey, PTA and Co-founder of Rehabilitation and Performance Institute (RPI) and recent Co-Host of the Health Education Transformation Podcast (HET Podcast) interview each other in a mash-up. In a fun and candid conversation, Katie puts Sean on the hot seat with “clinically based questions”, while Sean asks Katie “education-based questions”. The two hosts explore topics such as COVID and education, hybrid PTA programs, to the sustainability of the PTA and developing as a PTA. 

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+! 

Contact Information:

You can find the Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-healthcare-education-transformation-podcast/id1244609366

https://www.youtube.com/c/HealthcareEducationTransformationPodcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/4UwE7v8WehI8Fi3EiRdK0j

You can reach Sean Bagbey at: [email protected]

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]

Follow the show on social media:



Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

In today's episode, Katie interviews Drew Wilcox, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Utah Tech. Drew has a strong professional background in PTA education, and is an advocate for PTA advancement, student collaboration, and dedicated to driving physical therapy education towards sustainability. Katie and Drew have a diverse conversation discussing everything from PTA education, challenges in physical therapy education, PT-PTA student collaboration, to service/volunteerism in the profession, and much more. Listen in to hear Drew’s “hot takes” on the future of physical therapy education.

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+! 

Contact Information:

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]

Follow the show on social media:

Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

In today's episode, Katie interviews Rachel Foltz, Assistant Director at Central American Medical Outreach, also known as CAMO. Rachel previously worked as a PTA prior to transitioning to her current role at CAMO. Katie and Rachel discuss how she transformed her skills as a PTA to her current role in recruiting services, devices, and clinicians to work with and travel to Honduras to serve others. Rachel explains the mission of CAMO and how other healthcare professionals can serve and donate as well. They discuss the importance of donated devices, and how they impact lives. Rachel gives a breakdown of some of the specific devices and needs that CAMO is currently seeking. 

Check out CAMO’s website here: https://www.camo.org/

You can also like and follow CAMO on social media on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camobringshope/

And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camobringshope/

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+! 

Contact Information:

If you would like to reach out to today’s guest, Rachel Foltz, please email her at: [email protected]

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]

Follow the show on social media:

Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast”: https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

In today's solo episode, Katie explores developing yourself as a Clinical Instructor with the audience. While it is fully recognized that developing as a CI varies across the spectrum regarding school and facility policy and procedure, this conversation is meant to be a starting block for new and emerging Clinical Instructors. In today’s show, Katie reviews three topics: fundamental ways to develop yourself, using creativity as a clinical educator, and being flexible in your Clinical Instructor pathway. 

Check out the APTA’s CCIP Level 1 and APTA's Level 2.

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+! 

Contact: 

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]  

Follow the show on social media:

Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910 

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast” https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

In today's solo episode, Katie explores becoming a Clinical Instructor with the audience. While it is fully recognized that this can be a broad and multifaceted conversation, she reviews three basic topics in today’s show: knowing why, how, and when to become a Clinical Instructor.

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspect of being a PTA+! 

Contact: 

• If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at [email protected]  

Follow the show on social media: 

Facebook at “PTA+ Podcast” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093326902910 

Or on Instagram at “PTA+ Podcast” https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/