Professionally, Matthew Mesibov, PT, GCS, is in "hog heaven."

An administrator and physical therapist at Fox Rehabilitation in Cherry Hill, NJ, a private practice providing house calls to the geriatric population, Mesibov has been pleased with his job as well as his involvement in professional societies.

"I have a combination of recently landing a great job with Fox Rehabilitation with a group of great clinicians who strive to achieve so many of the things that Vision 2020 is about, as well as beginning to volunteer with APTANJ and the APTA's Section on Geriatrics over the past one to two years," he said. "This has led to meeting some very dynamic people and leaders in the field of physical therapy. I have been able to take part in federal advocacy for our patients and the profession, and have been supported in my visions by leaders in the chapter and section."

As a member of APTANJ and the Southern District Director at Large, Mesibov advocates involvement in one of the society's three districts-southern, central and northern-each of which hosts three meetings a year. "These include networking time, business meetings and educational sessions," Mesibov said.

Mesibov's colleagues in the Mid-Atlantic Region states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York agree.

One of the first things Doreen and Bob Frank did when they moved to upstate New York and established Columbia Physical Therapy, PC, in 1987 in East Greenbush was to get involved with the New York Physical Therapy Association.

Joining a district committee and then a state committee helped them tremendously at the time they were learning to run a private practice, Doreen Frank said.

"I learned how important it is to our profession and our patients/consumers to be an active participant in the system and not just sit by," she said. "The hardest thing about living where we live, as far as private practice goes, is how unfair the reimbursement system is. The cost of doing business has increased dramatically and the reimbursement keeps diminishing. We are one of if not the highest taxed state, yet we are reimbursed so low that it is quite challenging to juggle the finances. NYPTA is spearheading efforts to address the problems we face."

The Franks have since added to their practice with a second office in Valatie, NY, and they now employ 16 full- and part-time PTs and PTAs, including clinicians for orthopedic and sports injuries, a lymphedema-certified therapist and an NDT-certified PT for neurological conditions.

"We have a mix of new graduates and veterans, so we keep each other motivated to get the most out of each day," Frank said.

New York state recently implemented regulations mandating 36 hours of CE in a three-year period, but Frank isn't concerned about maintaining records of attendance to comply with the new legislation.

"We are very fortunate that we have many choices in continuing education courses," she said.

Columbia is a clinical site for many of New York's universities, so PTs often are invited to their continuing education workshops. Also, the New York Physical Therapy Association is presenting its state conference, complete with a wide variety of continuing education.

"It will be in Saratoga Springs, which is a wonderful town with terrific shopping, great food and nightlife, and the autumn colors will be beautiful," Frank said.

Jeffrey S. Rothman, PT, DPT, OCS, facility director at Centers for Rehab Services-Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, PA, said involvement in the Pennsylvania state chapter and local Southwest District of the American Physical Therapy Association is both rewarding and beneficial for networking, continuing education and advocacy on behalf of the profession.

"Professional societal membership has come to be expected and anticipated as an active member of the physical therapy community of the greater Pittsburgh area," said Dr. Rothman, who represents the Southwest District as district chair. "Numerous opportunities exist for continuing education at national, state and local levels, not to mention within one's own facility of employment given by fellow staff members, if you are so fortunate."

When he's not busy working, Dr. Rothman takes advantage of all the greater Pittsburgh area has to offer in the way of cultural entertainment, collegiate and professional sport venues, eateries and nightlife, as well as outdoor recreation, including running, hiking and skiing.

"The socioeconomic mix is diverse with multiculturally settled towns within the area, enabling them to showcase their culinary talents," Dr. Rothman said. "I tend to enjoy local restaurants, which are big on personality, locally grown food and big flavors."

Nearby music venues in the Southside, Millvale and Downtown areas offer an intimate setting to catch regional and national acts while also catering to local artists.

"I enjoy catching the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall and the [NFL champion] Steelers and [NHL champion] Penguins," he said.

For Wendy Enck, BS, PTA, a physical therapy assistant at HARTZ Physical Therapy, a private practice facility in Lancaster, PA, the best part about Pennsylvania is the people.

"Where I live, even though the area has grown so much, it still has a small-town feel," Enck said. "Everyone is very friendly and it has a great reputation for raising a family."

In the summer, Enck likes to buy fresh produce from surrounding farms, go to Hersheypark, take long hikes, kayak, shop and go out to eat at locally owned restaurants.

Frank, a beach lover, grew up on Long Island, NY, and still has family there. From their home in East Greenbush, which is east of Albany, the Franks can take a quick train ride to catch Broadway shows and everything Manhattan has to offer.

They like to explore the different regions of New York state, from Saratoga's thoroughbred racing to the lakes of the Adirondacks to the wineries of the Finger Lakes.

"Camping with our two kids in Moreau State Camp near Lake George was just as much fun as when I was a kid," Frank said. "With an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old, our summer included fun at waterparks and the amusement parks. You're never too old for the roller coasters."

When they're not attending their children's soccer, basketball and softball games, the Franks enjoy going to community theater programs around Albany and visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This year they visited the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to see the New York City Ballet.

"As a PT, I appreciate how strong and physically fit the dancers are to repeatedly carry out the challenging choreography," she said.

Like Frank, Mesibov enjoys his state's diverse topography, from the rolling hills and mountains in the north to the flatter terrain in the south, and New Jersey's arts and recreation offerings.

"I love having easy access to these different environments," Mesibov said. "If I feel like going to the beach, it is 45 minutes away, and to the lakes or mountains it is one to two hours away, depending on where I am heading."

New Jersey also offers opportunities for Mesibov to take part in his children's passions, which include horseback riding for daughter Alissa and soccer for son Jordan. "There are plenty of soccer fields where we can pull over and kick the ball around, though I have to admit he kicks it around better than I ever did," Mesibov said.

Mesibov and his wife Abbie, meanwhile, like to stroll around the historic town of Princeton, take long drives, exercise at the local gym and visit Atlantic City to gamble.

"No more than $40 and we make it last," Mesibov said. "Then we go for a nice meal at one of the hotels."

Other favorite pursuits are dining out at Norma's Mediterranean Restaurant in Cherry Hill, whose Middle Eastern flavors and scents take Mesibov back to his boyhood, and going to the movies.

"Our theater of choice is the Ritz in Voorhees," he said. "It's awesome to get a Diet Coke, popcorn, get my wife and kids whatever they want and just sit back and enjoy the movie together," he said.

Sarah Long is a freelance writer.