Awards & Scholarships

The Adopt-A-Doc program seeks to increase the number of doctorally prepared PTs and PTAs by providing financial support to Academy members who are in the dissertation phase of their post-professional doctoral programs.

• 2024 - Alicia Flach, PT, DPT, NCS
• 2024 - Katherine Dierdre Myers, PT, DPT
• 2024 - Jennifer Sharp, PT, DPT, CCS
• 2023 - Corri L. Stuyvenberg PT, DPT, MA
• 2023 - Michele “Shelly” Lewis, PT, DPT, GCS
• 2023 - Mindy Brummett, PT, DPT, OCS
• 2022 - Amanda Nicole Sharp, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2022 - Bethany Huebner, PT, DPT
• 2022 - Loren McElroy, PT, DPT
• 2021 - Heather Lundeen, PT, DPT
• 2021 - Nancy Jane Krisch, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2021 - Zachary Rethorn, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2020 - Christopher L. Hopkins, DPT
• 2020 - Eric Folkins, PT, DPT, DHSc
• 2020 - Eric Thomas Coley, PT, DPT, ATC
• 2019 - Elizabeth Wherley Regan, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2019 - Jamie Greco, PT, DPT, EdD
• 2019 - Megan Flores, PT, MPT, PhD
• 2019 - Susan Miale, PT, DPT, EdD
• 2018 - Gretchen Roman, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2017 - Kimberly Wynarczuk, PT, DPT, MPH, PhD
• 2016 - Anne Mejia-Downs, PT, MPH, PhD
• 2015 - Mary Anne Riopel, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2014 - Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2014 - Sarah Gilliland, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2013 - Barbara Sargent, PT, PhD
• 2013 - Lisa Barnes-Foster, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2013 - Rose Pignataro, PT, DPT
• 2012 - Mary Knab, PhD, DPT
• 2011 - Alan Chong W. Lee, PT, PhD
• 2010 - Michael Sheldon, PT, PhD
• 2009 - Jennifer Mai, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2008 - Timothy Kirk Nelson, PT, PhD
• 2007 - Kyle Hewson, PT, EdD
• 2006 - William E. Healey, PT, EdD
• 2005 - Susan Gordon, PT
• 2004 - Anita Santasier, PT, PhD
• 2001 - Roberta Henderson, PT, PhD
• 2000 - Carol Counts Likens, PT, PhD

The Award for Leadership in Education is a high honor given by the APTA Academy of Education that recognizes a nationally prominent educator who has exhibited outstanding leadership and contributions to physical therapy education.

• 2024 - Leslie G. Portney, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2023 - Jennifer W. Rodriguez, PT, DPT, MS
• 2020 - Gail Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2019 - Peggy Gleeson, PT, PhD
• 2018 - Yasser Salem, PT, MAPT, PhD
• 2017 - Venita Lovelace-Chandler, PT, MA, PhD, FAPTA
• 2016 - Babette Sanders, PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA
• 2015 - Anita Santasier, PT, PhD
• 2014 - Barbara Tschoepe, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2013 - Lorna M Hayward, PT, EdD
• 2011 - Margaret Mary Plack, PT, DPT, EdD
• 2009 - Karen Whitsitt Hayes, PT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2002 - James Gordon, PT, EdD, FAPTA
• 2001 - Carolyn Heriza, PT, EdD, FAPTA
• 2000 - Darcy Umphred, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Cerasoli Lectureship Award is given in loving memory of Pauline "Polly" Cerasoli, PT, EdD to acknowledge an individual who has distinguished himself/herself as an educator, administrator, practitioner and/or mentor as exemplified in the professional career of Polly.

• 2025 - Peggy Gleeson, PT, PhD
• 2024 - Emmanuel Babatunde John, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, MBA
• 2023 - Donna Applebaum, PT, DPT, MS
• 2022 - Gail Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA - Physical Therapy Education through the Lens of the Master Adaptive Learner
• 2021 - Laura Lee Swisher, PT, PhD, FAPTA - Educating for Professionalism: The science of Caring: the Art of Healing
• 2020 - Cerasoli Revisited - Déjà Vu All Over Again Cerasoli Lectures Revisited
• 2019 - Terrence Nordstrom, PT, EdD, FAPTA - Developing Habits of the Heart: 22nd Polly Cerasoli Lecture
• 2018 - Jody Shapiro Frost, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, Coddiwomple 
• 2017 - Chad Cook, PT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA - 20th Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: The Sunk Cost Fallacy
• 2016 - Diane Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA - Unflattening
• 2015 - Cecilia Graham, PT, PhD - Coming into Focus: The Need for a Conceptual Lens
• 2014 - Leslie G. Portney, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA - 17th Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: Choosing a Disruptive Path Toward Tomorrow
• 2013 - Elizabeth Mostrom, PT, PhD, FAPTA - 16th Annual Pauline Cerasoli Lecture Life Lessons: Teaching for Learning That Lasts
• 2012 - Christine Baker, PT, EdD, FAPTA - Pauline Cerasoli Lecture 2012 Googling and Texting and Browsing, Oh My! Mentoring and Teaching in an Electronic Age
• 2011 - James Gordon, PT, EdD, FAPTA - Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: Excellence in Academic Physical Therapy: What Is It and How Do We Get There?
• 2010 - Karen Whitsitt Hayes, PT, PhD, FAPTA - 2010 Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: Rhetoric and Responsibility in Physical Therapy Education
• 2009 - Bella J. May, PT, EdD, FAPTA - Are We There Yet?
• 2008 - Geneva Richard Johnson, PT, PhD, FAPTA - 2008 Pauline Cerasoli Lecture Physical Therapy: A Profession of Purpose, Promise, Potential, and Power
• 2007 - Elizabeth Domholdt, PT, EdD, FAPTA - 2007 Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: Sins of the Professional Programs
• 2006 - Bette Ann Harris, PT, DPT, MS - Interdisciplinary Education: What, Why, and When?
• 2005 - Donna El-Din, PT, PhD - The Rise of the Creative Practitioner
• 2004 - Samuel Feitelberg, PT, DSc, MA, FAPTA - 2004 Pauline Cerasoli Lecture The Influence of Leaders
• 2003 - Susan Schaefer Deusinger, PT, PhD, FAPTA - 2003 Pauline Cerasoli Lecture A Passion for Discovery
• 2002 - Martha Ferretti, PT, MPH, FAPTA - 2002 Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: Advancing Contemporary Practice - A Role for Educators
• 2001 - Laurita Hack, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA - 2001 Polly Cerasoli Lecture: The Virtuous Spirit
• 2000 - Beverly Schmoll, PT, PhD, FAPTA - Beyond Parochialism and Rhetoric: Third Annual Pauline Cerasoli Lecture
• 1999 - Colleen Kigin, PT, DPT, MPA, MS, FAPTA - Pauline Cerasoli Lecture: Dare to Care
• 1998 - Katherine Shepard, PhD, PT, FAPTA - Education for Meaningful Health Care Practice: First Annual Polly Cerasoli Lecture

The Distinguished Educator in Physical Therapist Education Award is to recognize excellence in academic or clinical teaching in a physical therapy education program.

• 2024 - Carol Beckel, PT, PhD
• 2023 - Bradley W. Stockert PT, PhD
• 2022 - Bruce H. Greenfield, PT, MA, PhD, FNAP, FAPTA
• 2020 - Nicole Christensen, PT, PhD
• 2019 - Carol Recker-Hughes, PT, PhD
• 2019 - Kristin Curry Greenwood, PT, DPT, EdD, MS, FNAP
• 2018 - Katherine Martinez, PT, PhD
• 2017 - Carla Sabus, PT, PhD
• 2016 - William Healey, PT, EdD
• 2015 - William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, FAPTA
• 2014 - Christopher Wong, PT, PhD
• 2013 - Laura Lee Swisher, PT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2012 - Susan Balko Perry, MS, PT, NCS
• 2011 - Mary Ann Sharkey, PT, MS, PhD
• 2010 - Christine Baker, PT, EdD, FAPTA
• 2008 - Lois Deming Hedman, PT, DScPT, MS
• 2000 - Gordon Seagrave Cummings

This award is given to recognize excellence in academic or clinical teaching in a physical therapist assistant program.

• 2024 - Jennifer Jewell, PT, DPT
• 2023 - Becky Keith, PT, MSHS
• 2022 - Kimberly Snyder, PTA, MEd
• 2021 - Kathrine Giffin, PTA, MA Ed
• 2020 - Holly Clynch, PT, DPT, MA

Distinguished Mentor in Residency/Fellowship Education Award is to be given to recognize excellence in Residency/Fellowship mentoring.

• 2024 - William Behrns, PT DPT
• 2023 - Morris Casano Beato, PT, DPT
• 2022 - David Nolan PT, DPT, MS, OCS, SCS, CSCS
• 2020 - Joann Walker, PT, DPT

The purpose of the APTA Emerging Leader Award is to identify and honor one physical therapist or physical therapist assistant "emerging leader" from each APTA component, a person who has demonstrated extraordinary service early in his or her physical therapy career. The individual should have made exceptional overall accomplishments and contributions to APTA, the component, and the physical therapy profession to advance APTA's vision.

• 2017 - Evan Papa, PT, DPT, PhD

The Feitelberg Journal Founder's Award was created by Samuel B. Feitelberg, PT, MA, FAPTA in honor of the efforts of the over 100 colleagues whose contributions of time and money created the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, to acknowledge excellence in publication by a first-time author in the Journal of PT Education for the calendar year.

• 2024 - Mercia Bakouetila-Martin, PT, DPT, Brittney Duke, PT, DPT, Andrea Pantoja-Aming, PT, DPT, Sarah Alfaro, PT, DPT, Stephanie Williams, PT, DPT, Nkechi Mbah, PT, DPT, Amy Marie-Lucero Schoenfeld, PT, DPT, Jennifer Hale, PT, DPT, PhD, Uchenna Ossai, PT, DPT, CSC - The Experiences of Black Students in Physical Therapy Education in Texas: A Qualitative Study
• 2023 - Allison Smith, PT, DPT, PhD, Jennifer Ellison, PT, PhD, Jennifer Bogardus, PT, PhD, Peggy Gleeson, PT, PhD - Factors Contributing to Burnout and Well-Being in Physical Therapist
• 2022 - Justin Berry, PT, DPT, PhD - A National Survey of Student Loan Debt
• 2021 - Sarah M. Hong, PT, DPT, Becky J. Olson-Kellogg, PT, DPT, Sara E. North, PT, DPT, MEd, Jackson L. Davis, PT, DPT, Justin L. Staker, PT, PhD - Telehealth Physical Therapy as an Innovative Clinical Education Model with Positive Patient Impact: A Case Report in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
• 2020 - Courtney Souter, PT, DPT, CSCS, Emily Musy, PT, DPT, Aaron Hartstein, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, Arthur Lievre, PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT, Andrea Fergus, PT, PhD - Educational and Experiential Factors Associated With Physical Therapists' Diagnostic Reasoning
• 2019 - Dawn Roller, DPT, Michael Wininger, PhD, John Leard, EdD, PT, ATC, Barbara Crane, PhD, PT, ATP/SMS - Data-driven Decision Making in Doctor of Physical Therapy Curricula Part I: Program-level Analysis
• 2018 - Diana G. Venskus, PT, PhD, Jason A. Craig, PT, DPhil - Development and Validation of a Self-Efficacy Scale for Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapists
• 2017 - Nicole Copti, PT, DPT, Raad Shahriari, PT, DPT, Linda Wanek, PT, PhD, Amber Fitzsimmons, PT, DPTSc, MS - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Inclusion in Physical Therapy: Advocating for Cultural Competency in Physical Therapist Education Across the United States
• 2016 - Wing Fu, PT, PhD, MA - Development of an Innovative Tool to Assess Student Physical TherapistsÕ Clinical Reasoning Competency
• 2015 - Jeff Hawk, MPT, MDE, MBA, Anne E. Reicherter, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CHES, Karen L. Gordes, PT, DScPT - SECTIONS Model: Strategizing Technology-Based Instruction in Physical Therapist Education
• 2014 - Ziádee Cambier, PT, DPT, MSPT - Preparing New Clinicians to Identify, Understand, and Address Inappropriate Patient Sexual Behavior in the Clinical Environment
• 2013 - Tamara S. Struessel, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, Kristin J. Carpenter, PT, DPT, John R. May, PT, DPT, OCS, David A. Weitzenkamp, PhD, Elizabeth Sampey, PT, DPT, Paul E. Mintken, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT - Student Perception of Applying Joint Manipulation Skills During Physical Therapist Clinical Education: Identification of Barriers
• 2012 - Terry M. Loghmani, PT, PhD, MTC, Amy J. Bayliss, PT, DPT, Valerie Strunk, PT, MS, Peter Altenburger, PT, PhD - An Integrative, Longitudinal Case-Based Learning Model as a Curriculum Strategy to Enhance Teaching and Learning
• 2011 - Elizabeth T. Oakley, PT, DHSc, Gaelan Katz, PT, Karen Sauer, PT, Bonny Dent, PT, PCS, Lynn A. Millar, PT, PhD, FACSM - Physical Therapists' Perception of Spirituality and Patient Care: Beliefs, Practices, and Perceived Barriers
• 2010 - Alice Salzman, PT, EdD - Portraits of Persistence: Professional Development of Successful Directors of Clinical Education
• 2009 - Cheryl Adams, PT, MHS, OCS, Karen Glavin, PT, MS, Kacey Hutchins, PT, MS, Tasha Lee, PT, MS, Christine Zimmermann, MS - An Evaluation of the Internal Reliability, Construct Validity, and Predictive Validity of the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI)
• 2008 - Kevin Brueilly, PT, PhD, Karen Alexander, PhD, Roger James, PhD, FACSM - A Pilot Study Evaluating Student Physical Therapists in the Assessment of the Sit-to-Stand Maneuver
• 2007 - Debra Ough Sellheim, PT, PhD - Influence of Physical Therapist Faculty Beliefs and Conceptions of Teaching and Learning on Instructional Methodologies
• 2006 - Suzanne Gordon, PT, MA - Making Meaning of Whiteness: A Pedagogical Approach for Multicultural Education
• 2005 - Gina Maria Musolino, PT, EdD, Pamala Feehan, PT, MS - Enhancing Diversity Through Mentorship: The Nurturing Potential of Service Learning

The President's Award honors an individual who has provided exemplary service or noteworthy contributions in advancing the vision, mission or goals of the APTA Academy of Education. 

• 2024 - Pamela Levangie, PT, DPT, DSc, FAPTA
• 2023 - Joyce Maring, PT, DPT, EdD
• 2023 - Susan Wainwright, PT, PhD
• 2022 - Lisa Stejskal, PTA, MAEd
• 2021 - Corrie Odom, PT, DPT, MS
• 2020 - FA Davis, Publishers
• 2020 - Justin Berry, PT, DPT, PhD
• 2018 - Johnette L. Meadows, PT, MS
• 2018 - Robyn Watson Ellerbe, PhD, MPH
• 2017 - Justin Elliott
• 2017 - Justin Moore, PT, DPT
• 2016 - Elizabeth Mostrom, PT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2016 - Laurie Kontney, PT, DPT, MS
• 2015 - Ellen Susan Price, PT, MEd
• 2014 - Jody Shapiro Frost, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
• 2014 - Mary Jane Harris, PT, BSPT, MS

The Stanford Award was created by Katherine Shepard, PT, PhD, FAPTA in honor of her former faculty colleagues at Stanford University, to recognize the author(s) of a manuscript containing the most influential educational ideas published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education for the calendar year.

• 2024 - Melissa Yeung, PhD - Experiences of Underrepresented Racial Minorities in the Entry-Level Physical Therapy Education Application Process: A Conceptual Framework
• 2023 - Gail Jensen, PhD, PT, Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, Jean Fitzpatrick Timmerberg, PT, DPT, PhD, Steven B. Chesbro, PT, DPT, EdD, Robin Dole, PT, DPT, EdD, Zoher Kapasi, PT, PhD, MBA, Ana Lotshaw, PT, PhD - Competency-Based Education in Physical Therapy: Developing a Framework for Education
• 2022 - Mitch Wolden, PT, DPT, PhD, Lori Gusman, PT, DPT, MS, Elsa Drevyn, PT, DPT, Cindy Flom-Meland, PT, MPT, PhD - Does the Length of Student Physical Therapists Clinical Education Experiences Matter?
• 2020 - Nnedinma Ubani, Celia M. Pechak, PT, PhD, Jill D. Black, PT, DPT, EdD - Defining Global Health Competencies for Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education
• 2019 - Becky Becker, J. DPT, PhD, Harlan Sayles, MS, Meredith Woehler, PhD, Tony Rost, SPT, Gilbert M. Willett, PT, PhD, MS - An Investigation of Professional Networks and Scholarly Productivity of Early Career Physical Therapy Faculty
• 2019 - Salome V. Brooks, PT, EdD, MA, MBA, Jesus Dominguez, PT, PhD, Zoher Kapasi, PT, MSPT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA, Victoria A. Moerchen, PT, PhD, Libby J. Ross, MA, Bernadette Williams York, PT, MSPT, DSc, Denise Wise, PT, PhD - Purposeful Recruitment Strategies to Increase Diversity in Physical Therapist Education
• 2018 - Lisa Dutton, PT, PhD, Debra Sellheim, PT, PhD - Academic and Clinical Dissonance in Physical Therapist Education: How Do Students Cope?
• 2017 - Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez, PT, DPT, PhD, Bini Litwin, PT, DPT, PhD, Karen Panzarella, PT, PhD, Nicki Silberman, PT, DPT, PhD - High Fidelity Human Simulation Improves Physical Therapist Student Self-Efficacy for Acute Care Clinical Practice
• 2016 - JB Barr, PT, DPT, OCS, Lisa Black, PT, DPT, Teresa M. Cochran, PT, DPT, MA, Jennifer A. Furze, PT, DPT, FAPTA, Judith R. Gale, PT, DPT, MPH, Julie Hoffman, PT, DPT, CCS, Gail M. Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA - Exploration of Students' Clinical Reasoning Development in Professional Physical Therapy Education
• 2015 - Martha Rammel Hinman, PT, DPT, EdD, MHEd, Claire Peel, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Ellen Susan Price, PT, MEd - Leadership Retention in Physical Therapy Education Programs
• 2014 - Brenda Boucher PT, PhD, CHT, OCS, FAAOMPT, Eric Robertson PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, Barbara Sanders, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Rob Wainner PT, PhD, OCS, ECS, FAAOMPT - Flipping Texas State University's Physical Therapist Musculoskeletal Curriculum: Implementation of a Hybrid Learning Model
• 2013 - Kathleen Marie Buccieri, PT, DPT, MS, Jody Shapiro Frost, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, Sean P. Gallivan, PT, PhD, Robert Robinson PT, DPT, DipMDT, FAAOMPT, Jennifer Weis Rodriguez, PT, DPT, Susan S. Smith, PT, PhD - Director of Clinical Education Performance Assessment Surveys: A 360-Degree Assessment of the Unique Roles and Responsibilities of This Position in Physical Therapy Education
• 2012 - Thomas Mohr, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Nancy Fell, PT, PhD, NCS, Deborah Ingram, PT, EdD, FAPTA, Renee L. Mabey, PT, PhD - The Case for Academic Integrity in Physical Therapist Education
• 2011 - Julia Chevan, PT, DPT, PhD, Steven G. Wilkinson, PT, MSPT, PhD - Establishing the Centrality of Health Informatics in Physical Therapist Education: If Not Now, When?
• 2010 - Mary C. Hughes, PT, DPT, CSCS, Katie Marie Laubscher, PT, DPT, Lisa Black, PT, DPT, Gail M. Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA - Use of Deconstructed Cases in Physical Therapy Ethics Education: An Assessment of Student Learning
• 2009 - Catherine Curtis, PT, EdD, Allon Goldberg, PT, PhD, Bruce Howard Greenfield, PT, BSPT, PhD, FAPTA, Steven Wolf, PT, PhD, FAPTA - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues of Genomics: Implications for Physical Therapist Education
• 2006 - Regina Kaufman, PT, MSPT, EdD - A Reflection on Disciplinary Nature and the Status of Physical Therapy Scholarship
• 2005 - Margaret M. Plack, PT, EdD, Anita M. Santasier, PT, PhD - Reflective Practice: A Model for Facilitating Critical Thinking Skills Within an Integrative Case Study Classroom Experience
• 2004 - Debra Sellheim, PT, PhD - Educational Factors Influencing Physical Therapist Students Approaches to Learning

This award is new and has not yet been given.

The Education Professional Service Award is a high honor used to recognize significant service to the APTA Academy of Education.

The purpose for this award is to recognize an outstanding clinical instructor who demonstrates exceptional skills in teaching, communication, interpersonal relationships, professional competence, mentoring, modeling, and professionalism.

• 2024 - Anna Rubakhina, DPT, PT
• 2023 - Jennifer A. Dubbert, PT, DPT, MS

The purpose for this award is to recognize an outstanding Site Coordinator for Clinical Education (SCCE) who consistently demonstrate exceptional skills in the supervision and education of Clinical Instructors through mentoring as well as serving as a role model for Clinical Education. Emphasis is placed on quality of teaching, communication, interpersonal relationships, professional competence, mentoring, modeling, and professionalism.

2024 - Erica Lynch, PT, DPT, OCS