APTA Nebraska Podcast

Brad Dexter
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

The APTA Nebraska Podcast dives into the stories, challenges, and innovations shaping physical therapy in our state. We’re here to advance, promote, and protect the practice of physical therapy, build our community, and optimize the health and quality of life for all Nebraskans. 

  1. 3d ago

    E27 - House of Delegates Update 2026: Conversation with Bobby Griese and Ian Thompson

    We bring back our annual House of Delegates check-in and break down what Nebraska’s delegation sees as the most urgent moves for physical therapy right now. We connect the votes in Portland to real clinic pressures like reimbursement, burnout, student debt, and how PT and PTA roles keep evolving at the state and national level.  • What the APTA House of Delegates is and how it governs association policy  • Why payment reform is a top priority and how APTA plans to advocate with Congress  • The push to define PTs as independent practitioners and what that means for state practice acts  • Workforce sustainability concerns including burnout, documentation burden, vacancy rates, and ROI on DPT education  • Why “professional degree” classification affects student loans and access to federal lending  • PTA delegation growth and the debate over joint mobilization language awaiting a national report get involved, show up, um, be a part of what's going on.  Don't forget to subscribe, share, and join the discussion because together we're driving the future of physical therapy forward.

  2. Jul 9

    E26 - Chapter Updates with President Nick Weber

    A lot can change in a few weeks when policy, courts, and payment systems collide, and that is exactly what we unpack with a clear set of wins for physical therapy in Nebraska. Brad Dexter and APTA Nebraska President Nick Weber start with a quick summer check-in, then move straight into the updates our members have been watching closely: student loans, Medicaid reimbursement, and the advocacy work that makes both possible. We break down what happened with the RISE Act and why the “professional program” designation matters for Doctor of Physical Therapy students. When the definition of “professional” gets shaky, the ripple effect is immediate, from federal loan caps to who can realistically afford a DPT program. The latest court action keeps the existing structure in place and restores confidence for students heading into the fall, while also prompting smarter conversations about borrowing only what you truly need. Then we dig into a major Nebraska Medicaid development: the state successfully secured federal funds and the new Medicaid fee schedule shows a 20% increase across therapy codes. We talk about how this impacts physical therapy reimbursement rates, private practice viability, and patient access, especially in areas facing provider shortages. We also cover an important clarification for adult Medicaid recipients so visits do not count against annual limits unless Medicaid actually pays, protecting care for medically complex patients. We close with what we are watching next at APTA’s House of Delegates and a state payment advocacy forum, plus a memorable reminder to celebrate the Fourth of July safely. If you care about the future of physical therapy in Nebraska, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more PTs can find the show.

  3. May 21

    E25 - Chapter Updates with President Nick Weber

    We celebrate Nebraska’s new PT and PTA graduates while making the case for staying connected through APTA to strengthen the profession and reduce burnout. We also break down timely state and federal policy updates that could shape workforce, reimbursement, postpartum care, and access to physical therapy across Nebraska.  • Graduation season highlights and why association membership keeps the PT community together  • Nebraska Rural Health Workforce Incentive Program basics, eligibility, award types, and the end-of-June deadline  • Differences between the workforce incentive program and Nebraska loan repayment, plus why you cannot do both  • Federal RISE Act designation ruling and how lower federal loan caps could impact the DPT pipeline and access to care  • New federal bills to repeal MPPR in Medicare and to boost postpartum physical therapy awareness through HHS education  • Simple ways to track legislation and take action using the APTA Advocacy app  • Upcoming APTA Nebraska nominating and legislative committee meetings and why networking matters  • A practical framework for involvement: support, show up, steer  Anyone that wants to participate, please reach out to Nick. You can find my email on the APT Nebraska website.  Episode Links: APTA Nebraska: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association

  4. May 7

    E24 - Takeaways from the APTA Nebraska Spring Conference

    Get a recap from the APTA Nebraska Spring Conference as we break down key business meeting updates, chapter priorities, and what’s ahead for the profession across Nebraska. We also highlight Nebraska-led research and connect with conference sponsors who are partnering with therapy teams to develop practical orthotic and prosthetic solutions that improve patient care and outcomes.  • Recognizing award winners and thanking outgoing leaders for years of service  • Expanding ChoosePT outreach through community events and public visibility  • Explaining Nebraska jurisprudence exam updates and optional CEUs  • Sharing recent legislative victories affecting prior authorizations, Medicaid support and medical liens  • Outlining the 2026 budget approach and why we’re reinvesting in marketing  • Breaking down the 2030 strategic framework with advocacy, communication and engagement as core themes  • Featuring a tele-rehab physical activity study for mild cognitive impairment and care partners  • Discussing ACL reconstruction biomechanics research, platform presentations and the value of CSM networking  • Highlighting Lim Lab devices including grasp assist tech and a drop foot step sock discount  • Hearing how Hanger supports therapists with free continuing education and patient resources  Episode Links: Limb Lab: Limb Lab Prosthetic & Orthotic Care  Hanger Clinic: Prosthetics & Orthotics | Hanger Clinic

  5. Apr 23

    E23 - Conversation with New EPSIG President Cole Meadows

    We talk with Cole Meadows, the new EPSIG president, about how early-career PTs and PTAs in Nebraska can find mentors, build community, and grow into confident clinicians. We also share an easy way to connect in person and why simply showing up can change your first five years of practice.  • New EPSIG leadership and what the executive team is focused on • Why early professionals benefit from networking across Nebraska • Mentorship that can be formal or casual based on your schedule • How Cole uses mentors beyond outpatient orthopedics to stay sharp across settings • Recruitment of more mentors in central and western Nebraska • Leadership development as the next area of growth • Community as an antidote to burnout and isolation in healthcare Contact Information: EPSIG Email Address:  neapta.epsig@gmail.com EPSIG Webpage: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association - Early Professional SIG Network Night: Who: EPSIG members, graduating students, and EPSIG mentors When: Thursday April 30th 7:00–8:30 PM Where: Sonny’s 1905 S 67th St, Omaha, NE

  6. Mar 19

    E22 - Chapter Updates with President Nick Weber

    We share a quick president’s desk update with the wins, gaps, and next steps shaping physical therapy across Nebraska. We cover the Capitol visit, where the medical liens bill stands, why our ballot needs more names, and how to stay connected through conference season and new APTA resources.  • Takeaways from Legislative Day and strong student participation  • Status of LB 1012 medical liens bill and unanimous committee support  • Plan to move the bill forward through LB 912 as a legislative vehicle  • Virtual ballot update and need for nominations, especially nominating committee roles  • Encouragement to step up despite imposter syndrome and time barriers  • Annual conference schedule, registration, business meeting, and banquet networking  • SPARC resource for payer advocacy, denials, appeals, and reducing admin burden  • Condolences to Pat Hageman and ways to find service information on association social media. Episode Links: Legislative Advocacy: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62787&docnum=LB912&leg=109Annual Conference: https://npta.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.phpState Advocacy Resource Consortium (SPARC): State Payer Advocacy Resource Consortium (SPARC) | SPARC

  7. Mar 12

    E21 - From Treatment Table To Corner Office

    Brad is joined by APTA NE President Nick Weber and two rural hospital CEOs, Robert Dyer and Chris Nichols, who began as physical therapists share how mentorship, risk, and relentless networking moved them from the clinic to the role of CEO in rural hospitals. We unpack the realities of running critical access hospitals, from Medicare Advantage pressures to building student pipelines and modernizing direct access rules. • Clinician to executive transitions rooted in mentorship • Why rural hospitals enable faster innovation • Strengths PTs bring to leadership and culture • Financial literacy, cost reports, and 340B pressure • Medicaid redeterminations and access to care • Coalition advocacy across health associations • Workforce development through student rotations • Private practice collaboration that drives policy wins • Barriers to hospital-based direct access in Nebraska • Building relationships with lawmakers that matter • Community pride in Geneva and Cozad Show Links: APTA NE Annual Conference Registration April 10-11th: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association - Meeting/Event Information Show Guests: Cozad Community Health System CEO: Robert Dyer Fillmore County Hospital CEO: Chris Nichols

  8. Feb 26

    E20 - Central District Co-Chairs

    What keeps a rural physical therapist energized when every day brings a new challenge, and a new patient story? In this episode, we sit down with Holly Hildebrand and Brittany McClary, Central District co-chairs for APTA Nebraska, to explore how small hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics deliver big outcomes across central Nebraska. From pediatrics to post-stroke care, they share what it’s really like to manage wide—and deeply rewarding—caseloads in critical access settings, and why strong community ties make the work both personal and powerful. Their stories underscore the impact of mentorship and early exposure: hospital rotations that broaden perspective, tech roles that reveal the full scope of physical therapy, and sports screenings that spark a lifelong calling. We also pull back the curtain on the often-unseen work behind better access to care. Holly and Brittany break down what the APTA Nebraska executive board actually does, from three-year strategic planning to advocacy at the state and national levels. Policy becomes practical when it determines who gets seen, when services are approved, and how rural clinics remain viable. Outreach and education take center stage as the Central District meets communities where they are, providing answering real-world questions about pain, injury, and prevention at events like Husker Harvest Days. We also preview an upcoming multi-campus continuing education day featuring school-based pediatrics, custom orthotics, and pelvic floor essentials for generalists—free for members and designed to reduce travel barriers. The conversation wraps with a look ahead to the statewide conference, a cornerstone for learning, networking, and recharging with colleagues who truly understand the rural terrain. Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Episode Links: APTA Executive Committee: Nebraska Physical Therapy Association - Executive Committee Continuing Education Signup: Central and Eastern District Continuing Education Day Sign Up

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About

The APTA Nebraska Podcast dives into the stories, challenges, and innovations shaping physical therapy in our state. We’re here to advance, promote, and protect the practice of physical therapy, build our community, and optimize the health and quality of life for all Nebraskans. 

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Dexter
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 APTA Nebraska Podcast
  • Show Website
    APTA Nebraska Podcast