Julie Ellis, PT is founder of CPR PT and Performance in Twin Falls, Idaho. Established in 1987, CPR has grown to include 3 clinics plus onsite industrial services. She is responsible for patient care, administrative operations, and fiscal decisions for her practice. Julie has previously served as President of the Idaho Chapter, Director on the APTA Private Practice Board, and APTA Private Practice Secretary. She currently serves as the Payment co-chair for the Idaho APTA.

Candidate Statement:

I am honored to be slated to run for President of the APTA Private Practice Section.

Next year I will celebrate my 40th year of owning my practice. When my partner and I first started CPR PT, we faced strong competition from the hospital, but we remained committed to making patient care decisions without the administrative burden of a large corporation. Our practice maintained a strong fiscal plan by diversifying our services. Today, our practice includes two onsite medical gyms and performance programs as well as contracts with eight large employer groups. Through these partnerships, we provide post-offer screens, onsite OSHA care, and lifestyle medicine. Additionally, we offer FCEs and comprehensive work return programs. These strategic, cash-based partnerships have allowed us to develop improved revenue streams outside of the traditional insurance model.

We also have a vigorous student internship program and are currently affiliated with 12 DPT programs ranging from the East Coast to the West Coast.

For the past 2 years I have transitioned from majority ownership to creating a solid and secure exit plan. I continue to work with patient care 20 hours per week while also teaching at our local college. My latest projects are legislating for payment in Idaho and working towards Primary Care Status for DPTs.

My leadership background with APTA Private Practice is longstanding and diversified. Having been with the section for many years, I have a deep understanding of its history and a personal perspective on the goals, challenges, and future needs of the section.

The first project I completed with the APTA Private Practice Section was in 1999, when the BOD asked me to chair the task force that developed the first How-To Manual. The group included six men from a variety of practice settings who all had knowledge of starting and running successful practices. Together we created a resource that is still used today and has been updated consistently to help new members with practical advice and guidance from experienced professionals as they launch and grow their practices.

My most relevant experience with APTA Private Practice includes serving on the Board of Directors for 12 years (2000-2012), including six years as Secretary. During those years I witnessed fiscal challenges, fiscal change, policy change, and membership growth. Over the years, I have attended over 30 Annual Conferences, 48 BOD meetings, numerous Capitol Hill Advocacy days, House of Delegates, PT PAC events and Graham Sessions.  

Critical issues facing the Section:

  1. Payment: I congratulate the Private Practice Section and the APTA BOD on the excellent strides made in addressing our most critical issue, which is payment. We are seeing great progress with SPARC and the Payment Advocacy Summit, and I continue to support and encourage more participation in these programs.
  2. Legislative Change: The Section along with APTA and PT PAC is currently working for legislative change to advocate for HR and Senate bills to allow us to practice effectively. MPPR and other legislative changes are in process. Achieving these goals requires the involvement of all our members. As President, I would continue to encourage all PTs to engage with local legislators on state issues and stay informed.  
  3. DPT Workforce Shortage: I would advocate for more work on solving this issue. I am aware of the problem and have ideas but do not have a solution at this time.

I am a leader who is bold and confident while also listening to all opinions and relying on people with knowledge to analyze a problem and strategize solutions. I approach conversations with intention and knowledge, but I do not expect an outcome to go a certain way as I encourage group decisions. My core strengths are maintaining a positive outlook and motivating others to serve. I am dedicated to empowering our members to take an active, involved role in our section.

To summarize, I am a PT business owner who created sustained growth by building cash-based programs and serving our insurance-based population with specialty care. I understand the history of a practice including start up, growing, payment issues, legislative challenges, hiring issues, student involvement, mentoring and exit strategies.

Thank you for your consideration in voting for me for President of the APTA Private Practice Section.