2026 APTANJ Student Conclave

Connecting Today’s Students to Tomorrow’s Opportunities

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, DPT and PTA student-members from across New Jersey gathered at Kean University for the 2026 APTANJ Student Conclave, an annual event that continues to bring the state’s physical therapy student community together in meaningful ways. With over 100 registered student attendees and the support of over a dozen sponsoring organizations, the Conclave reflected strong engagement from both students and industry partners. APTANJ was encouraged by this positive response, which speaks to the value of creating student-centered programming and signals exciting opportunities for continued growth and collaboration in the years ahead. Designed as a half-day experience, the event offered a thoughtful blend of education, networking, and career-focused programming aimed at supporting students as they transition from the classroom to clinical practice while navigating the nuances and evolving landscape of the physical therapy profession.

A standout feature of this year’s Conclave was the involvement of Jimmy McKay, host of the nationally recognized PT Pintcast, a weekly podcast dedicated to advancing all aspects of the physical therapy profession. Serving as the panel discussion host, Jimmy brought energy, humor, and thoughtful perspective to the day’s programming. His engaging style helped create an approachable and dynamic atmosphere that resonated strongly with both DPT and PTA students.

In addition to moderating panel discussions, Jimmy live-casted an episode of the PT Pintcast directly from the Conclave, offering students a unique opportunity to experience a national platform focused on professional growth, innovation, and advocacy within physical therapy. His ability to explore the profession from multiple viewpoints — spanning clinical practice, career development, leadership, and personal growth — added exceptional value to the event. Through meaningful dialogue and entertaining insights, Jimmy highlighted the diverse pathways available to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants alike.

Throughout the day, students participated in educational sessions led by experienced clinicians, educators, and APTANJ leaders. Topics focused on career readiness, navigating post-graduation decisions, understanding varied practice settings, and pursuing long-term professional success. Panel discussions, expertly guided by Jimmy McKay, encouraged open conversation and reflection, allowing students to gain honest, real-world perspectives on the profession.

Networking remained a central component of the 2026 Student Conclave. Students connected with licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and APTANJ leaders during both structured and informal networking opportunities. These conversations offered valuable mentorship, career guidance, and perspective across a wide range of practice areas, including outpatient orthopedics, acute care, pediatrics, geriatrics, and sports rehabilitation.

The Conclave also reinforced the importance of continued involvement with APTA and APTANJ beyond graduation. Students learned how association membership supports advocacy, professional development, leadership opportunities, and lifelong learning, reinforcing the value of staying engaged at both the state and national levels.

The energy, collaboration, and shared enthusiasm present throughout the day reflected the strength of New Jersey’s physical therapy student community. The 2026 APTANJ Student Conclave not only provided students with practical tools and meaningful connections, but also delivered inspiration through voices like Jimmy McKay’s—who continue to elevate conversations around the DPT and PTA experience nationwide.

The day began with an impassioned opening address from APTANJ President Owen Legaspi of A Plus Physical Therapy, who set the tone for the Conclave by emphasizing professional engagement, leadership, and lifelong involvement in APTA, while framing the goals of the day’s programming. He was joined early in the program by APTANJ Vice President Anthony Falco, PT, DPT, and Jennifer Pasram, PT, DPT, Chair of the Student Special Interest Group, who addressed the audience to formally introduce the event, outline expectations for the day, and highlight the value of APTANJ membership and student-focused initiatives, including the Sheila Nicholson Professional Leadership Sponsorship. Their remarks reflected the significant work both leaders contributed behind the scenes, as Anthony and Jennifer played a central role in shaping the Conclave — helping to identify key topics, select speakers, and ensure the program remained closely aligned with the educational, professional, and leadership needs of DPT and PTA students.

The morning sessions featured expert-led presentations from Lisa Gosweiler, MSPT, CSLP of First Steps Student Loan Solutions, who addressed financial literacy and student loan management; Michael Virgile, PT, DPT, CSCS, Regional Director at Spear Physical Therapy, who spoke on leadership development and career progression; and Rocco Pantina, PT, DPT, Clinical Director, alongside Michael Zolotnitsky, PT, DPT, Director of Marketing for Alliance Orthopedics, who offered meaningful insights on clinical excellence, practice growth, and branding in today’s healthcare landscape.

Following lunch, Holly Melao, PTA of Atlantic Health shared a personal and inspiring account of her professional journey as a PTA, offering students a relatable and authentic perspective on career development. Her talk served as a natural transition into the afternoon panel discussions, which were led by Jimmy McKay of the nationally recognized PT Pintcast. Jimmy’s engaging and thoughtful moderation encouraged open dialogue while highlighting the many pathways available within both DPT and PTA careers.

The panel sessions began with APTANJ Delegate participants Ben Aguila, PT, DPT; Doula Riley, PT, DPT; and Mercedes Aguirre Valenzuela, PT, DPT, who discussed their experiences in advocacy, leadership, and national association involvement. They were joined by Brooke Pantano, PT, DPT (Neuro SIG, Kessler Neuro Rehabilitation), Melanie Llanes, PT, DPT (Best Self Wellness), and Matthew Glassof, PT, DPT (NYU Langone), who shared diverse perspectives across specialty practice settings. The interview portion concluded with Marla Ranieri, PT, DPT, OCS, Head of Clinical Innovation and Clinical Strategy at Prompt Health, who led a forward-thinking discussion on the challenges and opportunities surrounding technology integration in modern physical therapy practice.

APTANJ extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the many sponsors whose generous support made the 2026 Student Conclave possible and who took time to engage directly with students throughout the day. Sponsors included A Plus Rehab, Alliance Orthopedics, Strive Physical Therapy, JAG Physical Therapy, IvyRehab, ProCare Rehabilitation, Thompson Healthcare and Sports Medicine, First Steps Student Loan Solutions, UTS Therapy Solutions, Union County Orthopaedic Group, Spear Physical Therapy, CareOne, PT Solutions, Kessler Rehabilitation, and Prompt Health EHR. Their presence provided students with valuable opportunities to learn about employment pathways, clinical cultures, and professional growth opportunities, further enriching the Conclave experience.

The positive experience and strong engagement achieved throughout the day would not have been possible without the valued partnership of Kean University’s Department of Physical Therapy. APTANJ extends sincere gratitude to Program Director Thomas Koc, PT, DPT, and Professor John Lee, PT, DPT, whose leadership, collaboration, and support were instrumental in creating an environment that fostered learning, connection, and professional growth. Their commitment to student development and partnership with APTANJ played a critical role in delivering a meaningful and successful event for all involved. We thank Kean PT faculty and students for all of the hard work and extra time that was put in to ensure every detail was covered!

APTANJ proudly celebrates the success of the 2026 Student Conclave and remains committed to continuing this impactful tradition for future generations of physical therapy professionals. We encourage members to stay engaged and connected as additional educational programs and networking opportunities are currently in development and will be announced soon, with a continued focus on bringing together PTs, PTAs, students, practices, and industry partners for meaningful knowledge exchange, mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth. Thank you from APTANJ to everyone involved!

Appendix: What We’ve Learned — Key Takeaways from the 2026 APTANJ Student Conclave

New Jersey Has Exceptional Physical Therapy Students

One of the most immediate and lasting impressions from the Student Conclave was the caliber of New Jersey’s PTA and DPT students. From the moment doors opened, students arrived early on a Saturday morning—punctual, professional, engaged, and eager to connect. Their enthusiasm for learning, openness to conversation, and willingness to ask thoughtful questions reflected a student body that is not only academically prepared, but genuinely invested in the future of the profession. These students demonstrated curiosity about career pathways, leadership, advocacy, and lifelong learning, reinforcing that New Jersey is developing a strong pipeline of motivated, capable, and forward-thinking physical therapy professionals.

APTANJ’s Professional Leadership and Volunteers Are a Powerful Asset

The event further highlighted the strength of APTANJ’s leadership and volunteer community. Association leaders, delegates, and volunteers consistently demonstrated a high level of preparation, clarity, and professionalism in their engagement with students. Their ability to speak knowledgeably about the profession, advocacy efforts, and career development — while remaining approachable and student-focused — underscored the value of active association involvement. Perhaps most importantly, there was a clear willingness to “pay it forward,” with leaders eager to mentor, guide, and support the next generation. This depth of experience, passion, and commitment represents a critical foundation for APTANJ’s continued influence and growth.

Industry and Professional Partners Are Engaged and Ready to Collaborate

The response and participation from industry and professional partners reinforced that there is strong alignment between APTANJ and the broader physical therapy community. Sponsors and partners were not only present, but actively engaged  —taking time to speak with students, answer questions, and share insight into clinical practice, organizational culture, and professional opportunities. Their enthusiasm to connect, contribute, and invest in student development demonstrated a shared commitment to the profession’s future. This level of engagement presents a meaningful opportunity to continue building mutually beneficial partnerships that support education, mentorship, workforce development, and innovation.

Momentum Worth Sustaining and Growing

Collectively, these takeaways point to a powerful and encouraging reality: APTANJ is well-positioned at the intersection of motivated students, dedicated leaders, and engaged partners. Events like the Student Conclave create space for meaningful connection, knowledge exchange, and inspiration — and the response to this year’s program reinforces the importance of continuing to invest in and expand these opportunities. By sustaining this momentum, APTANJ can further strengthen its impact, broaden its reach, and continue to grow its role as a convener, advocate, and leader within the physical therapy community.