About OPTF
Advancing physical therapy in Oklahoma since 2003
About our organization
Our organization began with a group of physical therapists who met to discuss how to increase public awareness of physical therapy and promote the overall health and well-being of the community. To create as many opportunities as possible to support research, education, and community programs, they chose to establish a foundation that would provide grants to individuals and groups across the state who needed funding to create meaningful programs in their communities.
Financial support from 100 founding members helped establish the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Foundation as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2003. Through an endowment managed by Oklahoma City Community Foundation, OPTF continues to support research, education, and community services to enhance the skills of physical therapy professionals and improve the quality of physical therapy services for Oklahomans.
About physical therapy
Physical therapists have been described as “experts in the science of healing and the art of caring.”
Physical therapists are licensed healthcare providers who can help patients with conservative management of their condition to improve mobility, avoid surgery, and reduce their need for prescription pain medications (opioids). They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, patient’s homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, and nursing homes. They help people of all ages with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis, joint and soft tissue injuries, neurologic conditions, developmental disabilities, connective tissue injuries, cardiopulmonary and circulatory conditions, sports injuries, and workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders.
During the first appointment with a new patient, a physical therapist will examine the patient and develop a customized plan of care. The physical therapist and patient then work side-by-side to achieve the goals outlined in the treatment plan. Physical therapists are there to support their patients each step of the way, both physically and emotionally. From helping with passive movement of the joints and massaging muscles to promote proper function to listening to their patients and cheering for their progress, physical therapists make a difference in the lives of their patients every day.
Learn more about the benefits of physical therapy at ChoosePT.com and the APTA Oklahoma website.
Meet Our Board
Suzanne Reese, PT, DPT, MS
OPTF Board President
Tulsa Community College
Dr. Reese has been a physical therapist for more than 40 years and is a founding member of the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Foundation. Her practice in physical therapy has been mainly focused on education of physical therapist assistants at Tulsa Community College. She has enjoyed working with OPTF over the past 20 years and seeing the good works the Foundation does.
Lynn Jeffries, PT, DPT, PhD
OPTF Board Secretary
OU Health Sciences Center
As a physical therapist with more than 35 years of experience, Lynn’s passion is educating everyone about physical therapy. In her various leadership roles in education and within state and national associations, she has sought funds to support others in the promotion and access to physical therapy. As a founding member of the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Foundation, she is proud of all the Foundation has accomplished and cannot wait to see future activities come to fruition.
Muffin McNeil, PT
OPTF Board Treasurer
Retired Physical Therapist
Muffin McNeil practiced as a physical therapist for 45 years, including inpatient, outpatient, home health, and skilled nursing facility administrator roles. Her areas of focus include administration, neurological rehabilitation, and pediatrics. She was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association (OPTA) for her entire physical therapy career. As a founding member of the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Foundation, she has served in many different roles with the Foundation.
Debra Clark, PT, DPT
OPTF Board Member
Fundamental PT
Debra graduated from Oklahoma University School of Physical Therapy in 1979 and began specializing in pelvic health in 1988. She received her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist designation in 1994 and obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2013. In addition to treating patients for pelvic health and orthopedic issues, she has taught continuing education programs and served as a clinical instructor for students from local and surrounding state university PT programs. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in state, national, and international physical therapy organizations. She has also served as a personal guidance mentor with a local ministry for over 20 years, allowing her to uniquely address the whole person: body, soul, and spirit.
Linda Cranfield, PTA/CLT
OPTF Board Member
Linda has worked in many different settings during her career as a physical therapy assistant, including skilled rehab, outpatient settings, home health, schools, and aquatics. She’s a certified lymphedema therapist and certified APTA clinical instructor who loves educating students who will one day become her colleagues. She’s passionate about helping people improve their functional mobility, which in turn improves their quality of life and allows them to stay in their desired environment as long as possible.
Maria Jones, PT, PhD
OPTF Board Member
Oklahoma City University
Maria Jones has more than 30 years of experience in the field of physical therapy. Her areas of practice include pediatrics, including adolescents and adults with intellectual and development disabilities, and assistive technology. She has worked in residential facilities, public schools, outpatient assistive technology centers, and higher education. In 2019, she received the Effgen Advocacy Award from the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She currently serves on the APTA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee and as an Advocacy Director of the APTA’s Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy.
