Polly Cerasoli Lectureship Award

Purpose:

To acknowledge an individual who has distinguished himself/herself as an educator, administrator, practitioner and/or mentor as exemplified in the professional career of Pauline “Polly” Cerasoli, PT, EdD.
Polly Cerasoli was the chair of the physical therapy program at the University of Colorado when she was attacked and critically injured by a still-unknown assailant while attending CSM in Atlanta in 1996. The idea for the lectureship was generated by a group of Cerasoli’s friends and colleagues to recognize her commitment and contributions to the profession. Recipients of the lectureship have distinguished themselves, as Cerasoli did, as esteemed educators, administrators, practitioners, and mentors.  Cerasoli’s family directed that proceeds from the Pauline Cerasoli Fund, originally created to support the family, be used instead to fund the annual lecture.

Criteria:

Nominees for the award must:

1. Be physical therapists who are active members of the APTA and the Education Section.
2. Have made distinguished contributions to the profession of physical therapy in the area of education.

Criteria for Selection :

The distinction of a nominee’s contributions to the profession of physical therapy will be judged on the basis of:

1. Leadership role in the academy of higher education;
2. Service to the profession in various capacities;
3. Vision and insight regarding the profession of physical therapy and the implications for the future of physical therapy education;
4. High regard from peers;
5. Ability to present a compelling lecture at acceptance of award

Procedure for Nomination:

1. Letter of nomination that addresses the award criteria must be submitted to the Executive Officer for the Section.
2. A Curriculum Vitae and  4 additional letters of support that specifically focus on the strengths of the nominee in relation to the award criteria from APTA members should be submitted with the nomination packet.
3.  Materials are due to the Section Office on December 1, 2009.