Jennifer Schnieders, PT, DPT, is Owner/CEO of Outbound Physical Therapy and Rehab in Jefferson City, Missouri. She serves on the APTA Private Practice Board of Directors, is an APTA PT-PAC Ambassador, and chairs APTA Missouri’s Payment and PAC committees. A former APTA Missouri President and Council of Chapter Presidents Chair, Jennifer has held numerous leadership roles in advocacy and state affairs. In 2024, she received APTA’s State Legislative Leadership Award.

Candidate Statement:

Three years ago, I wrote a statement as a candidate for the APTA Private Practice Board of Directors, sharing my experiences as a physical therapist, private practice owner in Central Missouri, and volunteer leader within APTA, APTA Missouri, and APTA Private Practice. As I reflect on my service as a Director, I am proud of what we have accomplished together and energized by the opportunities that remain ahead.

I joined the Board during the transition to what is now the Knowledge & Engagement Committee. This was a significant undertaking that consolidated and streamlined the resources, education, and content we provide to practice owners. As healthcare and business environments continue to evolve, our members have adapted to meet the needs of their communities while navigating the challenges of practice ownership. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving as Board Liaison to the Knowledge & Engagement Committee, where I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and thoughtfulness invested in developing resources that help members build successful businesses while delivering exceptional patient care.

The Board remains committed to ensuring that current and future practice owners have access to the tools, knowledge, and support needed to thrive. Through the committee’s work, we have gained a deeper understanding of both the expertise within our membership and the gaps that exist for those pursuing private practice. We have begun re-evaluating our “How-To” manual and related resources to identify opportunities for improvement and to create more accessible, user-friendly educational content that meets members where they are.

If elected as your Vice President, I would continue working with this talented group to expand and modernize these resources. Like many of our members, I wear multiple hats within my organization. As a practice owner, I serve as CEO, COO, CFO, Human Resources Director, and Compliance Officer—while continuing to treat patients regularly. I understand the realities of balancing patient care with business operations and know the value of having timely, practical resources readily available. While I benefit from a strong network of colleagues and mentors within APTA Private Practice, many members do not yet have convenient access to the guidance they need. I want to help bridge that gap.

In addition to serving on the APTA Private Practice Board, I currently serve as Payment Chair for APTA Missouri. In this role, I help disseminate resources developed through the State Payer Advocacy Resource Consortium and support efforts to address payment and reimbursement challenges facing physical therapists. Private practice owners understand these challenges better than anyone. Declining reimbursement affects our ability to sustain businesses and expand access to care. At the same time, we have tremendous power when we unite our advocacy efforts. The Board has made meaningful investments in advancing payment advocacy, and if elected Vice President, I will continue to support and strengthen these initiatives.

My previous leadership experience includes serving as President of APTA Missouri (2017–2023), Chair of the Council of Chapter Presidents (2022), PT-PAC Ambassador (2018–present), and member of the PPS Key Contact Task Force and Subcommittee (2019–2022). These experiences have reinforced the importance of servant leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. I understand the value of teamwork, effective communication, and shared responsibility. I know how to listen, build consensus, and respectfully challenge ideas when necessary. I am committed to ensuring that all voices are heard, including those of small and rural practice owners whose perspectives are critical to our profession’s future.

I love being a physical therapist, a private practice owner, and a member of APTA Private Practice. The success of my clinics is directly tied to the relationships, resources, and support I have gained through this community. It has been an honor to serve you as Director, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving as your next Vice President.