Our History

When the Oregon Physical Therapy Association founded Pub Night in 2012, we aimed to do one simple thing – bring the physical therapy community together to build relationships rooted in our professional organization to get big things done.  A little over three years later our experiment has been a resounding success.  Our event has grown across the state of Oregon on the Third Thursday of every month and has inspired a nation to begin coming together.  We have seen the evidence: 

• Member Engagement:  More than 600 unique attendees in 14 sites across Oregon 
  
• New Member Recruitment:  Nearly half of Pub Night attendees are potential APTA members 
• Leadership Development:  Half of our recent candidate slate and a current committee chair were discovered through Pub Night
• APTA Innovative Component Award Winner for our Pub Night project

Clearly we are on to something big, and we are excited to continue building an event that makes our members proud.  With the success also comes learning and growth.  There is one obvious flaw in our original design:  alcohol and health care don't mix.  It may attract some people but it isolates many. It also shines a dim light on our role as health care professionals.  We know this from the many stories we've heard.  Professors want a place where their students can become colleagues.  Students want to see new faces and hear stories from practicing clinicians.  Families need a place to meet where the kids are always welcome.  Those impacted by addiction need a community too.  To accomplish our aim to lead a conversation that everyone is proud to attend, we need an event where everyone feels invited.

Who We Are

The good news is that it was never about the beer.  Pub Night has run its course in Oregon, and we are so grateful for the lessons it taught us during its existence.  It is now time to evolve and move forward to create the inclusive event that our profession needs.  With this as our goal, the Oregon chapter is very excited to announce the launch of PT Night Out! The mission of PT Night Out is to bring together physical therapy professionals to build relationships that transform society.  PT Night Out will serve as a repeating opportunity to connect and mobilize PT professionals in Oregon, with a proactive effort to collaborate with other APTA components across the country and a desire for the event develop to become the official social gathering of the American Physical Therapy Association.

PT Night Out is more than just a name change.  We hope this transition will create a renewed excitement for the event among the PT community, allow for improved inclusivity amongst our members, and create opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare disciplines in an effort to do more together.  The event will continue to have a familiar feel of professional connection and networking, with an added twist of flexibility to meet the unique needs at each site.  While leaders may chose to keep the event at the current location, the rebranding of PT Night Out will allow leaders to be more creative with their efforts.  Want to meet after work for coffee and dessert?  Host a family-friendly evening of bowling?  Exchange clinical pearls at the dog park?  Meet up over dinner and drinks?  The choice is yours!