Cultural Humility: Advancing Beyond Cultural Competence Toward Health Equity (1 CE Hour)

The transformative power of the physical therapy profession is greatly enhanced by a commitment to promoting and practicing high levels of cultural competence and humility in all areas of practice, research, and education, as emphasized by the American Physical Therapy Association. Cultural humility should be approached holistically, encompassing a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and processes that enable effective collaboration in cross-cultural contexts within the profession.

The purpose of this presentation is to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes, fostering cultural awareness and responsiveness to provide compassionate care to diverse patient populations. By increasing awareness of cultural differences, this educational session will promote inclusivity and respect in all physical therapy settings.

In 2023, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker approved H.B. 2450, which added an additional CE training requirement for Illinois license or registration renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2025.

Illinois-licensed health care professionals must now complete a one-hour course in cultural competency training before renewing a license or registering to practice in the State of Illinois. Cultural competency training includes development of a set of integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enables a health care professional or organization to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities. 

This course meets the 1 hour Cultural Competency Training required by the State of Illinois.

What to expect: 

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish cultural competence from cultural humility through the lens of privilege, oppression, and marginalization.
• Examine the social determinants of health and factors that may influence the therapist-patient relationship and outcomes.
• Develop knowledge and skills to navigate the intersectionality of cultural differences and address cultural barriers in physical therapy practice.
• Create strategies for enhancing cultural humility in communication, treatment planning, and decision-making during patient care.

CE CREDITS: 

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS/ CE SUBSCRIBERS - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $30. 
2. Once your transaction is completed, you will receive an email with a link to download a PDF document containing a link to the online recording AND a link to a quiz to complete after you view the recording.
3. Watch the recording and complete the quiz. In order to receive CE you MUST complete the quiz with a passing score (80% or greater) to receive 1 hours of CE credit (Self Study).  If you are an IPTA member/CE Subscriber your CE award will be automatically post in your membership profile under Professional Development. If you are not yet a member, please allow 7-10 business days (after the submission deadline) for a CE certificate to be sent to you via the email address you provided.

Note to nonmembers: In free CE opportunities alone, your APTA/IPTA membership can pay for itself! Do the math – we welcome you to explore the various benefits of IPTA membership by clicking here. You too can be a part of your professional association, click here to join!

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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Dawn S. Brown PT, DPT, EdD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy  is the Assistant Chair of Curricular Affairs and an assistant professor in the Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, with over 25 years of clinical and educational experience. She completed a Bachelor of Psychology degree and Master of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Alabama State University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Brown earned ABPTS board-certification in orthopaedic physical therapy and uses this content expertise in her pedagogy, andragogy, and clinical practice. She is a national speaker and published researcher on leadership development, faculty development, motivation, and belonging. Dedicated to being an agent of positive transformation, Dr. Brown is an active member and leader within the American Physical Therapy Association, Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA), American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT), and National Association of Black Physical Therapists. She is Co-Chair of the IPTA DEI Committee, serves on ACAPT’s Education Planning and Innovation Committee, served on ACAPTs National Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission (NEDIC), and serves as the physical therapy representative on the Illinois State Board of Health. She is also an invited content contributor to PhysicalTherapy.com and serves on the Simucase Review Board.

Kim Tarver, PT, MPH With more than 30 years of experience, Kimberly Tarver holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from University of Illinois Chicago, an Associate’s of Science degree in Biology from Waubonsee Community College, and a Master’s degree in public health from Benedictine University. She is a professor of physical therapist assisting at Elgin Community College (ECC) where she has been part of the faculty since 1996. During her tenure at ECC, Kimberly has served in many leadership roles including president of the faculty association, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, and interim Program Director. She has demonstrated and ongoing commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, in service as a past leader and long-time member of ECC's Multicultural and Global Initiatives Committee, and a member of ECC's Teaching/Learning for Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity team, and championed many initiatives to advance and advocate for a culture of belonginess and servingness at ECC. She is a member of the APTA/IPTA and is the co-chair of the IPTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. Awards and recognitions include Illinois Physical Therapy Association’s Outstanding Academic Educator Award in 2022, the NISOD Excellence in Teaching and ECC's Orrin G. Thompson Teaching Excellence Award. in 2016. Most recently, she has earned the Association of College and University Educators Certificate in Effective Teaching Practices.

Zachary Thill, PT, DPT is a dedicated physical therapist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Governors State University, a Bachelor in Health Sciences from DePaul University, and an Associate of Science from Moraine Valley Community College. With extensive clinical and managerial experience at Revolution Physical Therapy Weight Loss, Zachary has grown from a staff therapist to clinic manager, where he now oversees operations, staff development, and financial performance to ensure exceptional patient care. Zachary is deeply committed to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in healthcare. As an active member of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association’s DEI Committee since 2021, he works to create equitable care practices and advocates for initiatives that address systemic barriers. He believes fostering an inclusive environment enhances patient outcomes and strengthens the healthcare community. His capstone project focused on optimizing home exercise programs to improve patient adherence based on demographic factors. He continues to contribute to the field through mentorship and community outreach, striving to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care in every role he undertakes.

This program was originally recorded January 23, 2025.