 Alumni
Interviews:
Justin Moore, M.P.T.
" The Physical Therapy Program
at Iowa has a national reputation for developing physical therapists
who are leaders in
all areas of professional practice from research to advocacy...
Going to Iowa is like saying you played for the Yankees in the
physical
therapy world."
Recently, University of Iowa Physical Therapy Program alumnus
Justin Moore took a break from lobbying on Capitol Hill to teach
UI students and faculty, as well as area physical therapists, about
public policy. It is just one aspect of his daily effort of service.
Moore, a 1996 Masters in Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) graduate,
returns to campus yearly to give a series of lectures on legislative
advocacy,
current issues in Congress and the need for health care providers’ involvement
in the political process.
Like many PT alumni who lecture, provide clinical rotations or
mentor at the UI, Moore believes it’s important to continue
to contribute to his alma mater.
"
I believe that when you personally benefit from something, such
as a strong educational program, it is your responsibility to give
back to the program to ensure that the future professionals have
as good or a better experience than you did," Moore said.
Moore also seeks to make a difference in people’s lives
everyday, advocating health care causes in Washington, D.C. As
the ssociate
director of federal legislative affairs for the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA), Moore leads the organization’s
lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. He advocates for advancements
in the recognition, representation and reimbursement of physical
therapy practice, research and education. He also works with the
APTA’s grassroots network and political action committee.
The APTA’s primary issues involve Medicare, Medicaid, public
health initiatives, children with disabilities programs and health
system reforms, Moore said.
"
Advocating for legislative initiatives to improve the access to
and delivery of health care and physical therapy can make great
strides to improving the quality of life for all members of our
communities," Moore said. "Physical therapy is a profession
that has the potential to better serve the health care community.
Seeking legislative change to empower physical therapists to achieve
this is an easy thing to wake up for each morning."
After three years as an outpatient orthopedics clinician in Michigan,
Moore joined the APTA, where he found he could combine his passions
for health care and public policy. While he was at first concerned
about leaving clinical practice, he said he uses his clinical experience
and PT education everyday to explain the finer details of physical
therapy to policymakers.
In his four years with the APTA, the organization has made some
significant advances for the field of physical therapy. The APTA
initiated legislation in Congress that would provide direct access
to physical therapy for Medicare beneficiaries and also won the
legal authority for physical therapists to practice without physician
referral in many states, Moore said.
Currently, Moore is working to improve access to rehabilitation
services provided by physical therapists and to promote physical
therapists as independent providers within a collaborative health
care team.
Moore chose physical therapy as a career to combine his interests
of sports and health, as well as to continue his parents’ work
of serving people with disabilities.
"
I saw firsthand, whether through educational or health care interventions,
the difference that people can make in the lives of people with
disabilities," he said. "Physical therapy is a profession
that empowers you to assist someone reach their potential, whether
that be an elite athlete recovering from an specific injury or
a child with cerebral palsy learning to walk independently or with
an appropriate assistive device. The opportunity to make a difference
in people’s lives on a daily basis drew me to the profession
and maintains my passion in my current job."
Moore believes that choosing to study physical therapy at the
UI prepared him well for his career.
"
The Physical Therapy Program at Iowa has a national reputation
for developing physical therapists who are leaders in all areas
of professional practice from research to advocacy," he said. "Iowa’s
PT program emphasizes that you have to be more than a clinician
and I felt empowered to use my background to impact the delivery
of physical therapy from a public policy perspective. Going to
Iowa is like saying you played for the Yankees in the physical
therapy world."
Originally from the small town of Sidney (or "Rodeo Town USA," as
he refers to it), located in the southwest corner of Iowa, Moore
earned a degree in dietetics at Iowa State University before enrolling
in the PT program at the UI.
Now living in Alexandria, Va., Moore enjoys running and playing
golf in his free time. He frequents the many national parks,
battlefields and historic sites on the east coast, and is also
learning how
to fly-fish.
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