Physical Therapy Association of Georgia Passes the Torch to New Leadership

ATLANTA (Oct. 21, 2014) – The Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG) is pleased to announce the inauguration of Joseph Donnelly, PT, DHS, OCS as its new president and leader of more than 2,100 members comprised of PTs, PTAs and students. During Donnelly’s three-year term, he is charged with advancing the physical therapy profession in Georgia and, ultimately, health care through education, research and advocacy initiatives.

Dr. Donnelly succeeds Dr. RM Barney Poole, PT, DPT, ATC, who has concluded his second term as PTAG President. Under Poole’s leadership, PTAG saw numerous advancements in the areas of association growth, membership participation and profession advocacy.

“Dr. Poole served as a strong voice for PTAG members across the state during his tenure as president,” says Joe Donnelly, president of PTAG. “He and his administration provided expert representation on a multitude of tough issues at the state and national levels. His leadership has elevated our profession to new heights, setting the course for both current and future physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to succeed.”

Since joining PTAG in 1995, Dr. Donnelly has actively served the association through various elected and appointed positions, primarily in leadership and advocacy roles. He has served one term as membership chair, two terms as delegate, two terms as chief delegate, one term as legislative co-chair and most recently, as president-elect. In addition to his work with PTAG, elected officials have called upon Donnelly to act as a Federal Advocacy Liaison due to his tireless involvement in the medical community as a whole and his health care expertise.

“PTAG is truly blessed to have someone so well-rounded and experienced in all facets of health care, including research, clinical practice, education and even in matters of legislative advocacy,” says Dr. Barney Poole, immediate past-president of PTAG. “PTAG and its members are in excellent hands and should expect great things from Dr. Joseph Donnelly’s leadership and tenure.”

“I am humbled by my election as president for an organization that has been so important to the lives of others,” says Dr. Donnelly, president of PTAG. “PTAG has many monumental tasks to accomplish in the coming years, and we plan to hit the ground running.”

About Dr. Joseph M. Donnelly

Dr. Donnelly is a clinical associate professor and director of post-professional education, residencies and fellowships in the department of physical therapy at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. Donnelly earned

his doctorate of health sciences in orthopaedic physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2006, and his M.S. in orthopaedic physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989 after graduating with a B.S. in physical therapy from Daemen College in Buffalo, NY in 1984.

He is a board-certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties with more than 30 years of clinical experience in orthopaedic manual physical therapy with a special interest in recurrent low back pain. Dr. Donnelly is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and chair of the Orthopaedic Section Practice Committee. His clinical research interests are in the area of myofascial pain and movement dysfunction.

About the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia

The Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG) is the membership organization for the profession of physical therapy in Georgia and a component of the American Physical Therapy Association. PTAG has approximately 2,100 members comprised of PT’s, PTA’s and Students. The mission of PTAG is to represent, promote and serve the profession of physical therapy.