Each year, the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) brings together thousands of physical therapy professionals, students, and experts from across the country to learn, network, and celebrate the future of the field. For Ashley Price, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Bellarmine University and clinical rotation student at ProRehab Louisville’s Jeffersontown clinic, CSM 2025 was more than just a conference—it was a career-shaping experience.
As Confluent Health’s Future PT Ambassador, Ashley had the unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders, explore cutting-edge research, and represent Confluent’s commitment to innovation in physical therapy. From the moment she arrived in Houston, she was struck by the sheer magnitude of the event.
“Upon arriving at CSM, I was shocked by how many attendees were present,” Ashley recalled. “It was amazing to see just how many physical therapy professionals were gathering in one place. It made me realize just how big our profession is in the United States and how impactful an event like CSM can be.”
A Role Beyond the Classroom
As an ambassador, Ashley was more than just an attendee—she was a representative, storyteller, and connector for Confluent Health.
“I could not have been more thankful to serve in this role,” she shared. “I felt a warm welcome from everyone at the Confluent booth and had a great time meeting Confluent staff, as well as physical therapists from our Partner Brands.”
Over three action-packed days, Ashley captured media moments, conducted interviews, and engaged with future colleagues. One highlight was an in-person interview she completed with Betsy, where she reflected on her experiences at the event. The ambassador experience also extended beyond the convention center, as Ashley and her classmates attended Confluent Health’s happy hour at Angel Share in downtown Houston—an evening filled with networking and meaningful conversations.
Learning from the Best: A Deep Dive into Sessions
CSM is known for its world-class educational programming, and Ashley took full advantage. A standout session for her was “Building a Female Athlete Care Team: A Multidisciplinary Approach.”
“I was strongly interested in this topic, as I love working with athletes, and was a college volleyball athlete myself,” she explained. “This talk delved into the multifactorial, team-centered approach to working with female athletes of all ages.”
Ashley took away key insights, including the impact of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) on female athletes and the essential role of strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists, sports psychologists, and medical professionals in optimizing performance. “From this talk, I was especially interested in learning about the macronutrient and hydration needs of female athletes. There were so many great recommendations I can’t wait to share with my future patients.”
Presenting with Purpose: A Focus on DE&I
Beyond attending sessions, Ashley also had the honor of presenting her own research on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Her capstone research, conducted alongside her classmate Kayla, provided a platform for underrepresented minority (URM) students to share their experiences with DEI initiatives and offer recommendations for improvement.
“Our research utilized small focus groups, allowing URM students to openly discuss their experiences,” Ashley explained. “We had so many great conversations with students from other programs across the country, and many agreed that there is room for improvement in DEI initiatives.”
Her hope? That these discussions lead to actionable changes that enhance URM student success and representation in the profession.
The Power of Connections
For Ashley, one of the most valuable aspects of CSM was the opportunity to connect with peers and seasoned professionals.
“Some of my favorite connections were made at educational sessions,” she said. “I met several students with similar specialty interests, and since we’re all soon-to-be new graduate physical therapists, it was great to build those relationships.”
The exhibit hall also proved to be a hub of discovery. “The exhibit hall felt like an endless maze of booths! I loved visiting the HOKA booth to see their new designs and grabbing a Theracane for some much-needed relief. Since my friends and I are soon-to-be graduates, we also explored NPTE board prep resources, which was really helpful.”
Lessons Learned & Looking Ahead
Attending CSM was not without its surprises. “One of the biggest surprises was just how much walking we would do every day! I quickly learned why everyone recommended wearing comfortable tennis shoes.”
Beyond the physical endurance required, Ashley’s biggest takeaway was the vast scope of opportunities within the physical therapy profession. “Attending CSM made me realize how much I can do in my career as a physical therapist. There are so many ways I can specialize, grow, and make an impact.”
She left Houston with a renewed passion and a clearer vision for her future. “Networking with physical therapists who were once in my shoes was comforting. Seeing others who love what they do every day reinforced my excitement for starting my career.”
Advice for Future CSM Attendees
For students considering attending a future CSM, Ashley has three key pieces of advice:
- Wear comfortable tennis shoes – “You’ll be walking 10k+ steps per day, and comfortable shoes are a game-changer.”
- Use the APTA CSM app – “It helped me stay organized and navigate all the educational sessions I wanted to attend.”
- Be open to meeting new people – “Having professional conversations and learning as much as possible will make your experience even more valuable.”
A Future Fueled by CSM
As she prepares for graduation in May 2025, Ashley is eager to apply everything she learned at CSM to her studies and clinical practice. “I would love to attend CSM in the future, whether as an attendee or even as a presenter again. Continuing education is essential, and I’m excited to integrate the knowledge I gained into my patient care.”
With her passion, curiosity, and dedication to the profession, Ashley Price embodies what it means to be a future leader in physical therapy. And if CSM 2025 was any indication, her journey is just getting started.