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.

History of Award:

In 1996, during the Combined Sections Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Pauline Cerasoli was attacked and permanently injured by an unknown assailant.

Since then, only time has been able to soften the edge of our shock and heighten our awareness that such an event could happen to someone among us... to a close friend of many... and to a colleague of all of us. 

At the time of her injury, Pauline was serving as Director of Physical Therapist Education and Assistant Dean of Allied Health at the University of Colorado. She had been an active member of the APTA for more than 40 years, and throughout that time was very active in the Education Section. She was considered a widely respected mentor and leader, and her prodding encouragement pushed all those around her to new heights.

Today, Pauline continues to reside and receive excellent care at a long-term rehabilitation facility in the New England area.

To formally honor Pauline, several of her friends created the idea for a Cerasoli Lectureship and brought it to the Section Program Chairs who enthusiastically embraced the idea as an annual event at CSM.  The Education Section, APTA sponsors the Pauline Cerasoli Lectureship at Combined Sections Meeting each year. This lecture recognizes selected leaders, educators, and practitioners in the field of physical therapy. During the first Pauline Cerasoli Lectureship in 1998, her nephew read excerpts from letters her family received from Pauline's friends, colleagues, and students. The outpouring of love and respect for her contributions and her impact on the lives of so many was overwhelming.

It was determined that recipients of the Lectureship would be those who have distinguished themselves, as Pauline did, as esteemed educators, administrators, practitioners, and mentors, and likewise as articulate, sensitive, and caring individuals.
Support has been shown in the form of cards and letters sent to Pauline and in donations to the Pauline Cerasoli Fund.

The Cerasoli Fund was originally established to assist Pauline’s family in providing for her care however, Pauline’s family dedicated the fund money to initiate an on-going lectureship in Pauline’s name.

Thanks to this very kind and generous act and the continued support by the Education Section, each of us may continue to enjoy the annual lecture that has been created to honor the commitment and dedication of Pauline Cerasoli.