Section Office:

Oncology Section, APTA
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-1484

ph: (800) 999-2782 ext. 8564
fax: (703) 706-8575
Email: oncology@apta.org

Board of Directors:

• President Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD
• President Elect Lisa VanHoose, PT
• Vice President Julie Hobbs, PT, DPT, PhD, CHES
• Secretary Jet Lee, PT, PhD
• Treasurer Steve Morris, PT, PhD
• Member at Large Laura Gilchrist, PT, PhD
• Awards Sandra Adams, PT
• Editor, Rehab Oncology Steve Gudas, PT, PhD
• Legislative Nancy Roberge, PT, DPT
• Membership Mary Calys, PT
• Membership Alison DeLeo, PT, DPT
• Nominating & Elections Geigle, PT, PhD, Chair
• Nominating & Elections Barbara Nicholson, PT, MSPT, CLT-LANA
• Nominating & Elections Wendy Price, PT, MS
• Programming Amy Litterini, PT, DPT
• Publications Maggie Rinehart-Ayres, PT, PhD
• Regional Course Education Chair Julie Tilley, PT, DPT, MSEd, CLT-LANA, CWS, FACCWS
• Research Mary Lou Galantino, PT, PhD
• Web Chair Lisa VanHoose, PT, CLT-LANA-WCC
• HIV SIG Chair Michaele Smith, PT, MEd
• Lymphedema SIG Chair Lesli Bell, PT
• Pediatric Oncology SIG Lynn Tanner, PT
• Hospice and Palliative Care SIG Richard Briggs, PT
• Executive Director Suzie Callan

Section Mission

The Oncology Section of the APTA promotes and supports ethical, evidence based physical therapy practice to improve physical function and quality of life for patients and clients affected by cancer and HIV through education, research, and public service.

Section Vision

• The Oncology Section of the APTA will:
  • Promote physical therapists as practitioners of choice in cancer rehabilitation
  • Obtain ABPTS recognition of oncology physical therapy as an area of specialization
  • Lead the development of interprofessional coalitions to advance best practice in cancer rehabilitation across the continuum of care

Download Oncology Section Bylaws

To create a forum for persons whose skills and knowledge concerning oncology physical therapy can be enhanced for mutual benefit to society and the profession of physical therapy through:

1. Development and improvement of physical therapy education and practice
2. Identification, coordinated action, communication, and fellowship to meet the needs of its members.

The functions of the Section shall be to:

1. Provide a forum for exchange of knowledge, ideas, and skills pertaining to the practice of physical therapy in all levels of cancer care.
2. Improve oncology patient care by increasing public awareness of the contribution of physical therapy in the care of the patient with cancer and his/her family.
3. Provide the Association, physical therapy programs, and the community guidance concerning the involvement of physical therapy in oncological services.
4. Promote physical therapist, physician, and other health care professional interest in the positive aspect of oncology rehabilitation.
5. Promote the concepts of optimal quality of life through quality of care for those patients with terminal disease.
6. Encourage research, promote the development of new knowledge, and foster contributions to the professional literature.
7. Conduct programs devoted to oncology issues of interest to members of the Association.
8. Provide such services as will further the objectives of the Section.

The Oncology Section has three Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The purpose of the SIGs is to educate members, encourage research and networking, and foster an area of support for the practice of physical therapy in these areas.

• Lymphedema Special Interest Group's Webpage
• HIV/AIDs Special Interest Group's Webpage
• Hospice Care Special Interest Group's Webpage
• Pediatric Oncology Special Interest Group's Webpage

The SIGs are only open to members of the Oncology Section. To join, please click here, provide your full name and APTA member number, and check which SIG's you would like to join.