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Committees & Task Forces

The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is built on a system of committee actions aligned with the organization’s strategic plan and sometimes directly linked to specific tasks and initiatives. Established committees help link the Academy leadership with the attitudes, expectations and needs in the real world of its members. Committees represent, involve, and serve members. They also provide an important training ground for future leaders. Committees are an effective workforce for the Academy- they ensure group participation in problem solving and provide a critical forum for the many interests within the organization. If you are interested in volunteering a committee or pitch a task force charge, please explore our Volunteer Opportunities page. There are three types of volunteer groups:

  • Standing committees are designated to make policy recommendations to the board, undertake long-term assignments.
  • Management committees have specific memberships and continuing assignments from year to year that help execute the strategic plan.
  • Task Forces or special working groups formed by the governing board to undertake highly focused tasks within a specific period of time, usually one year or less.

Board Liaison: Each Academy group reports to a Board Liaison who provides communication channel with the Board and ensures committee work is on track within the scope of the Academy’ strategic plan

Staff Liaison: Each Academy group reports to a Staff Liaison who helps provide data, logistical and strategic guidance

STANDING COMMITTEES

Standing committees are designated to make policy recommendations to the board, undertake long-term assignments.

Executive Committee
President Heather Jeffcoat
Vice President Jennifer Hungate
Treasurer Molly Lisenby
Secretary Kelly Huestis

Governance Committee
Chair Kaitlyn Parrotte
Meryl Alappattu
Mark Bishop
Amy Pannullo
Kari Melby
Whitney Bartley
Board Liaison: Carina Siracusa, Director of Programming
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Finance Committee
Chair Molly Lisenby
Kim Parker-Guerrero
Truly Moore
Staff Liaison: Aika Bazhaxynova

Nominating Committee
Chair Jeanice Mitchell
Member Daniel Kirages
Member Emily Reul
Email: nomcomm@aptapelvichealth.org
Board Liaison: Past President’s Advisory Committee
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

TASK FORCES

Task Forces or special working groups formed by the governing board to undertake highly focused tasks within a specific period of time, usually one year or less.

Patient Education Review Task Force
Term: January 2021-December 2021
Caitlin Smigelski
Dana Taussig
Jennifer Gentile
Julia Monie
Karen Snowden
Lori Marie Walton
Miranda Harvey
Sandi Gallagher
Truly Moore
Email: hello@aptapelvichealth.org
Board Liaison: Miranda Harvey, Director of Education
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Charge Summary

  • Revise existing 20+ patient education handouts
  • Develop new patient education handouts
  • Translate patient education handouts into 3+ other languages

Past Patient Education Handout Writers & Contributors
Darla Cathcart, Amanda Mahoney, Stacey Head, Justine Wiltsie, Melinda Gross, Kerin Cook, Melissa Eagleton, Christin Peters.

Pessary Task Force
Term: February 2021-September 2021
Chair Katie McGee
Katherine Miles
Amanda Olson
Andrea Wood
Gail Zitterkopf
Email: pessarytaskforce@aptapelvichealth.org
Board Liaison: Kim Parker-Guerrero, Director of Practice
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Charge Summary

  • Research scope of practice barriers in states’ Practice Act language
  • Review models of pessary fitting by PTs that occur outside of the US
  • Determine reimbursement guidelines, ie CPT codes, that address pessary fitting
  • Determine and recommend training requirements for pessary fitting
  • Research collaboration opportunities

Pre-Natal & 4th Trimester Legislative Task Force
Term: November 2021-January 2022
Chair Gail Zitterkopf
Avery Michele Madden
Gina M. Cunningham
Ginger Garner
Jenni Gabelsberg
Jennifer Lynn Briggs
Karen Weeks
Nicole Motzny
Noam Eitan
Email: prenatal4thtrimester-taskforce@aptapelvichealth.org
Board Liaison: Kim Parker-Guerrero, Director of Practice
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

MANAGING COMMITTEES

Management committees have specific memberships and continuing assignments from year to year that help execute the strategic plan.

MembershipEducationResearchPracticeProgramming

Membership Committee
Chair Karen Weeks
Region 1 NE Rep Laura Scheufele
Region 2 SE Rep Kristi Kliebert
Region 3 MW Rep Wynne Tezak
Region 4 SW Rep Karen Brandon
Region 5 NW Rep Krystyna Holland
Sub-Group: State Representatives
Board Liaison: Kristi Kliebert, Director of Communications
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee
Chair Kali Aucoin
Member Rebeca Segraves
Member Theresa Feola
Member Rachel Borland
Member Ariel Wynne
Board Liaison: Jennifer Hungate, Vice President
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Awards Committee
Chair Jaime Bicknell
Member Susan Giglio
Member Carrie Schwoerer
Member Wendy Schlessinger
Member Sandra Hallowell
Board Liaison: Kelly Huestis, Secretary
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Pregnancy/Postpartum Special Interest Group (PPSIG)
Director Kristi Kliebert
Director Rebeca Segraves
Director Lisa Sator
Director Stacey Head
Board Liaison: Jennifer Hungate, Vice President
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Early-Professional Special Interest Group (EPSIG)
Director Julie Jenner
Director Claire Hamnett
Director Matthew Harville
Director Lindsay Durand (Appointed)
Board Liaison: Jennifer Hungate, Vice President
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

Student Special Interest Group (SSIG)
Director Jillian Watson
Director Molly Walsh
Director Keddy Rwara
Director Sasha Schneider
Board Liaison: Jennifer Hungate, Vice President
Staff Liaison: Aika Barzhaxynova, Executive Director

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