I am currently running for the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy position of President-Elect. Voting will not open until April 1, 2021, but I wanted to lay out more about my extensive service to the Academy and my ideas for setting it up for the future for members to consider in the meantime.
I decided that the best format for me would be to record my message as a video.
The video goes into much greater detail, but here are some highlights.
Over 15 years working my way up through various service positions in the Academy including:
- Committee Member
- Committee Lead
- Special Interest Group (SIG) Founder
- SIG Chair
- CSM Section Programming Vice-Chair
- CSM Section Programming Chair
- Currently serving on the Executive Committee as the Representative at Large
Some highlights of things that I have created in the AASPT:
- The Many Faces of Sports PT
- Science Meets Practice educational format combining scientific platform presenters w/ traditional educational content
- The role of SIGs in CSM programming
- 4 new leadership positions in each SIG (Communication, Education, Practice, Membership)
- The new AASPT Annual Meeting & Scientific Conference format
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force/Community
- Laying the foundation for the new Practice Resource repository, spearheaded by the Academy Practice Committee
I want to set this Academy up for the future; To leave our members inspired to continue contributing to this Academy, and to the generation of sports physical therapists who follow; Inspiring them to continue the mission of supporting our profession throughout their entire careers! I plan to do this by:
- Creating a formal 5-year Strategic Plan to systematically work towards our goals over time
- Creating a Research Agenda to lay out a road map for the research needs of our members and explore our ability to drive this research through Academy funding
- Creating more structure to our organization to better “divide and conquer” our goals
- Exploring creating a separate, larger Executive Board to advise our Executive Committee
- Embrace the tenants of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as it applies to all of our members and future members to make us a better Academy overall
Every week leading up to the election I will be writing a post on each of the above points. Click the links to learn more.
Have questions? Contact me!
Thank you for your consideration/support!
Read a few of the comments that AASPT members are making about Erik running for President-Elect:
I fully endorse the candidacy of @erikMeira for @aaspt_apta President-Elect. Erik has had a significant impact on my professional growth & was a great resource when @APTAofMaryland started our DEI committee. I look forward to serving together as @APTAtweets component leaders! https://t.co/SimmHNrSyn
— J.D. Sheppard II (@jdsheppard) February 19, 2021
why I am voting for you. You are a consumer of science in general. Naturally curious
— Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler (@doclsmack) February 20, 2021
Future facing strategies. https://t.co/YZQVZgmcr1
— Julie Wiebe, PT, DPT (@JulieWiebePT) February 19, 2021
Thanks Eric! The research piece, and having an actual plan is so needed. To have the reasoning to work backward to know where to begin. I’d appreciate it if this model would become the model for the APTA before we go out of existence as a profession.#strategery #ericforprez
— Julie Wiebe, PT, DPT (@JulieWiebePT) February 20, 2021
I cannot stress the qualifications and vision of this dude enough. Great guy w great Vision. If you are a member of the AASPT take the time and vote, and consider Erik for president! @aaspt_apta @erikMeira https://t.co/CXJNRvXW85
— Eric Greenberg (@EGreenberg7) February 19, 2021
Erik’s on a very short list of ppl who I’ve respected more as I’ve gotten to kno them better. He’s got a stellar resumé & played a significant role in what the AASPT’s become(ing)
— Scot Morrison (@scotmorrsn) February 20, 2021
A deep understanding of our Hx, a clear vision 4 our future & demonstrated AASPT performance =💯👍🏻 https://t.co/DYMHoG7BjO
Highly encourage anyone in the @aaspt_apta to vote for my friend Erik Meira for President-Elect. His past history of service to the Academy and future vision is invaluable! https://t.co/Z1rcF8feUL
— johnny owens (@johnnyowensCFI) February 24, 2021
I’m excited for you @erikMeira – this feels like many dedicated years to @aaspt_apta in the making👍
— Stephanie Di Stasi (@S_DiStasi) February 23, 2021
The transitions in this video are reason enough to vote for @erikMeira and his history of service and ideas for the future of the @aaspt_apta are unmatched. When voting opens on April 1st, I will have no hesitation whatsoever in voting for Erik! https://t.co/FC1IViWUup
— Nicole Surdyka (@NSurdykaPhysio) February 19, 2021
‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/4DbwVYcLuI pic.twitter.com/KrAm0dWbwZ
— Michael Cromartie II, PT, DPT, CSCS (@MikeCroDPT) February 19, 2021
I 10000% endorse this candidate. #votemeira https://t.co/UpegpHziAd
— John Wehrer (@jwehrerDPT) February 20, 2021
This guy! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 https://t.co/wOmbroDCbG pic.twitter.com/gOvJRr83lE
— PT Pintcast™ 🍺🎙💪🏽 (@PTPintcast) February 19, 2021
There is no “I” in TEAM
— PT Pintcast™ 🍺🎙💪🏽 (@PTPintcast) February 19, 2021
But there is a “me”
There are 2 “I’s” in Erik Meira
AND a “ME”…
That’s just science… or english… or Scinglish. https://t.co/M2ufwt8tUu
You got my vote! https://t.co/llPqJEuPVK
— The Air Fryer Agenda (@Mah_ree_oh4) February 19, 2021
I am (re)joining @aaspt_apta to vote for @erikMeira.
— Rich Severin DPT, PhD(c), CCS (@ptreviewer) February 19, 2021
You should vote for him too! 🙌🙌 https://t.co/SmrGLuLt3k
Great vision, I strongly support Eric as a candidate for @aaspt_apta president elect. Please watch and consider!
— Brent Todd (@ToddBrent) February 20, 2021
No one better for the job. Vote for Erik!!! https://t.co/oKoQ665Fv1
— Thornton Johnson, PT, DPT (@Thornton_DPT) February 19, 2021
@erikMeira will make a great @aaspt_apta President! #VoteForErik https://t.co/OnZaM7CyVM
— Ryan Duncan PT (@RyanDuncanPT) March 2, 2021
You’ve got my vote! Erik has and continues to be a PT role model for me as a young clinician! He’s taught me so much about treatment, research, and how to communicate best with patients! This dude is a rockstar! #quadzilla https://t.co/6F9I8sOCUf
— Benjamin Thompson, SPT, CSCS (@BTthePT2021) February 20, 2021
Also some international collaborators are excited as well:
I can’t vote, but our shared love of sports jackets (and our recent common ground on coffee with cream) makes this a slam dunk – vote Meira ! https://t.co/tXcsgiStv1
— Dr Bradley Neal (@Brad_Neal_07) February 19, 2021
Forget Sports Physio I say elect Meira to run all the things! 😍
— The Sp⚽️rts Physio (@AdamMeakins) February 19, 2021
I mean how could you not trust someone with a sports jacket as fine as this! I endorse this message! #VoteMeira 👍 https://t.co/CSKvhedzQg