by Future Foundation Global

Anaheim, California — February 12–14, 2026

Future Foundation Global (FFG) marked a historic milestone at the 2026 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), hosting its first-ever exhibit booth at the Anaheim Convention Center. The booth, set up on February 11 and active throughout the conference, represented the first time a Filipino American physical therapy organization secured exhibit space at APTA’s largest annual gathering.

Listed in the official exhibit directory as Future Foundation Global, the booth signaled a new chapter for Filipino American physical therapists seeking greater visibility, representation, and engagement within the profession.

A Decade in the Making

Now in its 10th year of existence, FFG is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began as an academic alumni initiative and has since evolved into a broader advocacy and leadership foundation open to all Filipino American physical therapists. Over the past decade, the organization has supported mentorship initiatives and sponsored two scholars in the Philippines in obtaining their transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees.

The debut booth at CSM reflected the organization’s growth and maturing institutional presence.

Representation on the National Stage

The primary objectives of hosting the booth were visibility, representation, volunteer and mentor recruitment, fundraising, and professional recognition.

Throughout the three-day conference, the booth became a gathering point for Filipino American clinicians, students, and leaders. Many expressed excitement and curiosity upon seeing a Filipino-led organization represented in the national exhibit hall. For student physical therapists—particularly those born and raised in the United States—the booth provided an opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage while strengthening their professional identity.

The message to Filipino PTs was clear: you are not alone. APTA is our professional home, and Filipino physical therapists are contributing, leading, and ready to support one another.

Engagement and Programming

The booth was staffed by nine trustees, two volunteers, and two dedicated media team members. In addition to networking and outreach, FFG conducted 12 leadership interviews with prominent figures across the profession, including:

Roger Herr, PT, MPA — Former APTA President
Oscar Gallardo, PT, DPT — President, APTA California
Stefanie Bourassa, PT, DPT — Director, APTA Board of Directors
Heather Jennings, PT, DPT — Former Director, APTA Board of Directors

The organization also conducted four impromptu interviews with poster presenters, highlighting scholarship and innovation within the physical therapy community.

These recorded conversations will be released as part of FFG’s ongoing efforts to elevate dialogue and amplify leadership perspectives within the profession.

Independent Investment and Fundraising Success

FFG independently funded the booth. During CSM, the organization raised $1,496.77 in support of its leadership and mentorship initiatives. A complete financial report will be published on the FFG website in keeping with the organization’s commitment to transparency.

A Signal to the Profession

FFG’s presence at CSM conveyed a broader message beyond community gathering. It signaled readiness for partnership and active engagement within APTA’s leadership ecosystem.

To APTA leadership, the message was one of collaboration: Filipino physical therapists are prepared to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions, workforce development, mentorship pathways, and professional advancement.

To the broader profession, the presence of FFG demonstrated that representation and initiative matter. Leadership often begins not with invitation alone, but with stepping forward, organizing, and participating in shaping the profession’s future.

Looking Ahead

The booth at APTA CSM 2026 represents a beginning rather than a culmination. FFG intends to build on this momentum by strengthening governance structures, formalizing mentorship pathways, expanding volunteer engagement, and deepening collaboration with APTA chapters and sections nationwide.

As the organization continues its second decade of service, its mission remains focused: to empower Filipino American physical therapists to lead with excellence, serve with purpose, and elevate the communities and profession they represent.

Video highlights and photo coverage from the booth will be available soon here on the FFG website.