Established in 1946 as a component of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Florida Physical Therapy Association is committed to meeting the needs of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students in the State of Florida. The original proposed charter of the Florida Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association was filed on April 11, 1950, in St. Petersburg, Florida. The President was Ellen Smith; Audrey Lester was Vice President, Pearl Brookman was Secretary and Mabel Nihoul was Treasurer. Ada Winstanley was the delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. The goals of the association are represented in the following mission statement:

The Florida Physical Therapy Association advances excellence and quality in the physical therapy profession through advocacy, education and services for its members and consumers.

In addition to our mission statement, the FPTA has adopted the following goals:

• FPTA will be members' primary resource for professional development, knowledge exchange, education and services.
• FPTA will be the proactive public policy force that advocates a favorable environment for the successful practice of physical therapy.
• FPTA will be the unifying force for consolidating the rehabilitation/wellness medical community in its efforts to create a more informed consumer and health care insurance industry.
• The Florida Physical Therapy Association seeks to enhance the physical therapy profession through the creation of peer review and quality assurance programs. Profession standards are upheld though the avocation of the APTA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

FPTA Organization Structure Map

Board of Directors

FPTA Bylaws

Districts of the FPTA

Chapter Office Staff

FPTA Assembly of Representatives

APTA House of Delegates - Florida Delegation

APTA House of Delegates Policies

APTA Board of Directors Policies

FPTA's Past Presidents are as follows: