ACRM Leadership Development Course

Keynote Session: "Improving the Lives of People with Disabilities: Leadership and Advocacy" Karen Tamley, is a leading national advocate on disability rights and inclusion. Born with a physical disability, she has used a wheelchair all of her life. In her plenary talk, Ms. Tamley will share her own journey from her early years growing up with a disability, receiving numerous surgeries and therapies in a time when society held few expectations and was largely inaccessible to people with disabilities. She will outline the key factors that helped her rise to become CEO of one of the nation’s largest and long-standing Centers for Independent Living and discuss strategies for advancing authentic rehabilitation research and treatment that can better the lives of people with disabilities.

Workshop

Description: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice and Team Building
In physical rehabilitation, strong leadership and effective collaboration among diverse healthcare professionals are critical to optimizing patient outcomes and fostering a holistic approach to care. This workshop is designed to cultivate leadership skills while enhancing interprofessional communication and team building within rehabilitation teams, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other allied health professionals.
During the didactic portion, participants will explore leadership strategies for improving communication, resolving conflicts, and enhancing mutual respect among team members, all while maintaining patient-centered care as the core focus. An overview of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) will be provided, and the competencies for collaborative practice will be reviewed. Through interactive activities, case studies, and facilitated discussions, attendees will gain practical tools for building trust, fostering collaboration, and overcoming common challenges in interdisciplinary team settings. The workshop culminates in an experiential group activity where participants will apply the strategies presented by the workshop leaders. The workshop culminates with an experiential group activity wherein participants will apply key leadership principles to interprofessional scenarios. As the group reflects on the activity, an interactive discussion will explore strategies for managing leadership challenges that arise in an interprofessional collaboration in the clinical environment. At the end of the workshop, participants will be better equipped to take on leadership roles and to work cohesively and efficiently in a multidisciplinary environment, ultimately enhancing team cohesion, communication, and ultimately, the quality of care provided to patients in rehabilitation settings.

The combined luncheon for the Early Career Development and Leadership Development Courses is sponsored by Brain & Behavior Care. Learn more at https://www.brainbehaviorcare.com/