It is January 2022, and I am reminded of my high school Greek and Roman mythology class and Janus, the Roman god for whom January is named. In Roman mythology, Janus is considered the protector of gates and doorways, symbolizing beginnings and endings, and is always depicted with 2 faces, one looking into the past, the other toward the future. It is a fitting juxtaposition as we, members of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT), reflect on 2021 and look forward to 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to set the context for this reflection claiming over 5 million lives globally and over 800 000 lives in the United States.1 After a somewhat brief summer respite with significant declines in cases in most places in the United States, we've moved through increased cases associated with the Delta variant and, most recently, are dealing with significant increases in case numbers associated with the Omicron variant. Some are predicting this surge will peak quickly, and we in the physical therapy community are collectively holding our breath as many plan to attend our first face-to-face conference in February, the APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM).
While 2021 may not have evolved like many of us had hoped, it was a very good year for the ANPT. First, I want to acknowledge you, our members. While many associations have seen precipitous drops in membership during the pandemic, our membership has been relatively steady and quite close to prepandemic levels. The ANPT continues to be a member-driven organization with over 300 volunteer leaders serving in elected or appointed roles to offices, committees, task forces, and work groups. Thank you! For your loyalty, participation, innovation, and collaboration, thank you!
2021 was the year of virtual meetings, and the ANPT was no exception. Notably, our education committees and executive office team have become productionists, putting together both a virtual CSM 2021 and our first ANPT Annual Conference. At CSM 2021, thanks to the ingenuity of our committee and special interest group (SIG) leaders and our executive office team, we managed to not only host stellar educational sessions, but also recognize awardees, celebrate newly certified and recertified neurologic clinical specialists, gather among our SIGs, and mentor new members.
Our first ANPT Annual Conference was a great success! This fully virtual event boasted 46 educational sessions both live and on-demand, 76 posters, and 728 attendees from all 50 states and 8 countries. I highlighted this meeting in more detail in a previous President's Perspective,2 but there is no doubt that this meeting was a highlight of 2021!
We have continued our commitment to evidence-based practice and knowledge translation through the development and publication of our fifth sponsored clinical practice guideline (CPG), CPG for the Use of Ankle Foot Orthoses and Functional Electrical Stimulation Post Stroke.3 In addition, many of our members were involved with the development of the APTA-sponsored CPG for the physical therapy management of Parkinson disease.4 The ANPT is continuing its commitment and focus on knowledge translation for every relevant CPG published through the development of knowledge translation materials. These valuable tools and resources5 are designed to be easy to use in the clinic and to close the gap between what we know to do from research and what we actually do in practice.
The Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (JNPT) is our primary vehicle for CPG submissions and continues to be a highly recognized source of relevant and accessible scientific information. 2021 was the first year for JNPT's new editor-in-chief, George D. Fulk, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Dr Fulk has led the journal to a current impact factor of 3.649, ranking 8 out of 68 rehabilitation journals. Congratulations, Dr Fulk, on a great first year!
The Adaptive Seating and Wheeled Mobility SIG updated the Wheelchair Seating & Mobility curriculum, which is designed as ready-to-use modules for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students. This curriculum was partially funded through a collaboration with the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization WSTP international experts, and through partnership with the Clinician Task Force, University of Hartford, and Rehabilitation & Technology Consultants. More information may be found at https://neuropt.org/education/physical-therapy-educators/wsm-curriculum.
Another 2021 milestone occurred in the 2021 House of Delegates during which our 2 elected delegates cast their first-ever votes! It was through the work of many past and present ANPT members and leaders that the Sections and Academies of APTA were granted a vote in "the House" in 2020, with 2021 being the first year of implementation. We were well represented by our Chief Delegate and Board Secretary, Katherine Kugler, PT, DPT, and Delegate, Michelle Sauer, PT DPT. The learning curve as new members of the House is steep, and Kate and Michelle dug into the volumes of materials in order to understand the issues and cast votes in the interest of our members and the patients we serve.
In my faith tradition we have a hymn, "This Is a Day of New Beginnings,6" which has been an earworm for me as I prepare for 2022.
"This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone ...
Then let us with [our] spirit's daring,
step from the past and leave behind our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths,
and sure to find."
With all the hope and daring that is within me, I wish ... no, I believe, in the new paths we, as individuals and as a collective, shall surely find in 2022. Let this be the day of new beginnings!
-Patricia L. Scheets, PT, DPT, NCS, President
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