Dr. Marissa Slate is a board-certified pediatric physical therapist with nearly a decade of clinical experience spanning the NICU, acute care, sub-acute rehab, early intervention, and outpatient settings. She previously served eight years in the United States Coast Guard. Dr. Slate has held numerous leadership roles within APTA-SC and the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy (APPT), including her current role as Payment and Policy Advocacy Liaison. She is completing her Doctor of Education at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where her research interests are comparing academic outcomes between hybrid and traditional residential Doctor of Physical Therapy programs and disparities in access to care. Dr. Slate has contributed to teaching and curriculum development across multiple DPT and residency programs, including the Medical University of South Carolina, where she helped develop the pediatric PT residency program. In addition to teaching, she has mentored numerous pediatric residents in scholarly research and presented her work at national conferences through the APPT. Dr. Slate is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of clinicians to deliver evidence-based, compassionate, and equitable care while inspiring students to advocate confidently for patients with disabilities.