J. Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of Post-Professional Education and Educational Innovation at the Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program, has been elected as the next President of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Dr. Covington’s election is a significant recognition of his leadership, dedication, and contributions to physical therapy. He will officially assume office on January 1, 2025, marking the beginning of a three-year term in which he will play a pivotal role in shaping the profession's future.
Founded in 1921, APTA is a leading professional membership organization representing more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students across the United States. The organization, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is dedicated to advancing the physical therapy profession and improving society's health and well-being. APTA oversees 51 state and district chapters, 18 specialty practice academies, two educational accreditation commissions, and three related organizations.
Dr. Covington’s election to the presidency adds to the distinguished history of Duke faculty members who have served in this influential role. He will be the 35th president of APTA and the sixth Duke faculty member to hold this prestigious position. Previous Duke faculty who have served as APTA presidents include Robert Bartlett (1976–1979), Helen Kaiser (1938–1940), Jane Mathews-Gentry (1985–1991), and Jan Richardson (1997–2000). Additionally, two other Duke employees have served as APTA president: Mary Clyde Singleton (1950–1952), who worked at Duke Hospital, and Bob Richardson (1982–1985), an adjunct faculty member at Duke DPT.
As an academic leader and clinician, Dr. Covington brings expertise to his new role. His leadership at Duke’s DPT program and his commitment to advancing education and innovation in physical therapy position him to make a lasting impact on the profession during his term as APTA president. His vision for the future of physical therapy will help guide the association as it continues its mission to elevate physical therapy's role in improving health outcomes across the country.
A Legacy of Excellence in Education and Clinical Practice
A deep commitment to education and clinical excellence has marked Dr. Covington's career. A 2004 graduate of the Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT), he joined the Duke faculty in 2007 and has since made significant contributions to the development of the program and the education of future physical therapists.
From 2007 to 2014, he served as the Associate Director of Clinical Education at Duke, where he played a pivotal role in creating and implementing the DPT Clinical STEPs® (Student Team Experience in Practice) course series. More recently, he developed the Duke Faculty Development Residency program, which has now expanded to include partnerships with other universities across the program. Duke's first distance-based Orthopedic Residency training program has residents participating from clinics across the nation.
In 2015, Dr. Covington earned his PhD in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University, focusing on adult learning theory, educational program planning, and assessment.
Dr. Covington's research interests center on collaborative student learning, professional development, and the embodied use of movement in expert physical therapy practice. His unique combination of clinical expertise in neurologic physical therapy and academic rigor has allowed him to make meaningful contributions to both teaching and research.
A Vision for the Future of Physical Therapy
As Dr. Covington prepares to step into his new role as President of APTA, his leadership at Duke, coupled with his involvement in national professional development efforts, makes him uniquely positioned to guide the APTA during a time of rapid change in healthcare.
The entire Duke community extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Covington on his election as APTA President. We look forward to his continued positive impact on the physical therapy profession and society at large.