APTA Pennsylvania Awards 

 

APTA PA Chapter, Student and SIG award nominations are open until July 19!

Ready to nomination someone? Before you submit - read the tips and tricks for submitting successful APTA PA Award letters!

APTA Pennsylvania Chapter Awards

APTA Pennsylvania Student Leadership Awards
APTA Pennsylvania Minority Affairs Scholarship Award
APTA Pennsylvania Special Interest Group (SIG) Awards
Previous APTA Pennsylvania Award Recipients

APTA PENNSYLVANIA AWARDS SELECTION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES

CARLIN-MICHELS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Criteria

  1. The recipient must be a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who is a member in good standing in APTA Pennsylvania/APTA at the time of selection. Members of the Awards Committee are not eligible for the Carlin-Michels Achievement Award.
  2. The recipient must have been a member of the APTA Pennsylvania for five consecutive years prior to the nomination of the award.
  3. The individual must have made an outstanding contribution to the profession of physical therapy, to the American Physical Therapy Association or its components, and/or to the community. Professional achievement may be demonstrated in one or more of the following areas:
    1. Patient care through direct service, consultation supervision, or administration.
    2. Education through teaching, directing continuing education programs, developing or implementing teaching methods, or administering physical therapy programs.
    3. Research in professionally related areas.
    4. Service to the community through professional health-related organizations and private or governmental agencies.
    5. Service to the APTA or its components through the promotion of the organization and its goals, service in elected offices, or service on committees and task forces.
  4. The individual must have shown a deep concern and active interest in the development and growth of the physical therapy profession and have served as a model for other professionals.
  5. The award will be presented to a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant who has continuously demonstrated and maintained high personal and professional standards of conduct.

To Nominate

Each Nominee will need:

  1. Three letters of nomination stating the reasons for selection.
  2. A current resume or CV.

Submit your nomination for this award.

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SERVICE AWARD

Criteria

  1. The award will honor service to APTA Pennsylvania by an individual in a non-elected position or for service by an elected official within or outside the scope of their responsibilities of the office. Members of the Awards Committee are not eligible for the Service Award.
  2. The award may be presented to a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who has significantly contributed to the betterment of physical therapy within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  3. Selection may represent either intensive short duration service or consistent service of long duration as a supporter of the Association and its goals and objectives.
  4. The recipient must be a member of APTA Pennsylvania/APTA.
  5. The award should reflect service to APTA Pennsylvania.

To Nominate

Each Nominee will need:

  1. At least one letter of nomination stating the reasons for selection.
  2. A current resume/CV

Submit your nomination for this award.

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HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Criteria

  1. The nominee must be a member of the APTA Pennsylvania/APTA in good standing for at least one year.
  2. Service, which must be outside the profession of physical therapy, may be of intensive short or consistent long duration.
  3. Nominations will be accepted from APTA Pennsylvania membership. Nominations must be supported via letters of recommendation and/or nomination from the APTA Pennsylvania membership AND from organizations and/or individuals outside the profession of physical therapy.

To Nominate

Each Nominee will need:

  1. At least one letter of nomination stating the reasons for selection.
  2. A current resume/CV

Submit your nomination for this award.

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J. KENT CULLEY FELLOWSHIP AWARD

Criteria

  1. The award will honor service to APTA Pennsylvania by a non-physical therapist/nonphysical therapist assistant who has significantly contributed to the betterment of physical therapy within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  2. Selection may represent either intensive short duration service or consistent service of long duration as a supporter of the Association and its goals and objectives.
  3. The award should reflect service to the physical therapy profession within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

To Nominate

Each Nominee will need:

  1. At least one letter of nomination stating the reasons for selection.
  2. A current resume/CV

Submit your nomination for this award.

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STEVEN KOLUMBAN PTA AWARD

Learn the full story of the Steven Kolumban PTA Award

Purpose
The Steven Koumban PTA Award acknowledges a physical therapist assistant member of APTA Pennsylvania who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in clinical practice, community service, and personal commitment to physical therapy. A nominee for the award must be a member of APTA Pennsylvania, as well as

  • A member in good standing of the PTA Special Interest Group for two (2) years.
  • An individual may receive the award only once in a three (3) year period.
  • Members of the PTA SIG Executive Committee shall not be eligible for the award during their respective terms of service.

Criteria
Outstanding achievements in the practice of physical therapy and service to the Association are demonstrated by:

  1. Professional contributions were made to the PTA Special Interest Group, the American Physical Therapy Association, and APTA Pennsylvania.
  2. Community services and activities that enhance the quality of life and function.
  3. Exemplifies and promotes the role of the Physical Therapist Assistant through education, practice, or research.
  4. Research involvement/activities, publications.
  5. Promotion of ethical standards and professional conduct among peers, patients, and students.
  6. Professional development through continuing education; courses, workshops, in-services, etc.
  7. Ability to inspire patients, peers, or students to perform at or strive for achieving optimal potential - to be the best that they can be.

To Nominate:
Each nominee will need:

  1. At least one letter of nomination stating reasons for selection.
  2. A current resume/CV

Submit your nomination for this award.

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PT/PTA Team Award

Collaboration between a Physical Therapist and a Physical Therapist Assistant is an important part of providing optimal patient care. These teams go above and beyond in the profession of physical therapy, providing the best care for their patients. These PT/PTA teams exist in a variety of settings, and APTA Pennsylvania would like to recognize their achievements.

Criteria for Selection:

The PT/PTA team will be characterized by trust, respect, adaptability, cooperation, and an appreciation for cultural differences. Their relationship will involve direction, supervision, and effective communication, which has been enhanced through mentoring, continuing education, and professional development.

All team nominees must be Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistant members who have been providing clinical services for at least two years. The team may include one or more physical therapists and one or more physical therapist assistants with a minimum of 1-year working together.

Their contributions will have:

  • Positively affected the quality of physical therapy care provided to their patients/clients as a result of the teamwork ability.
  • Contributed to the overall enhancement and delivery of physical therapy services. 
  • Provided written and verbal communication within a team protocol to include structure, methods, supervision, and assignment of patients/clients related to the patient/client needs.

To Nominate:
Each team nomination will need:

  1. At least one letter of nomination stating reasons for selection that addresses one of the following questions
    1. Name an instance in which the team had success in treating a patient
    2. Does the team hold any special credentials or certifications?
    3. Has the team presented to the community or therapy program?
  2. A current resume/CV for each team member

Submit your nomination for this award.

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APTA PENNSYLVANIA STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS SELECTION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD 

A review panel will review the applicants, and a final review by the membership chair will determine the recipient(s) of the Student Leadership Award based on the criterion: 

  • APTA involvement
  • Leadership
  • Community Involvement 

A framed certificate will be presented during the annual membership meeting at the annual APTA Pennsylvania conference for the student recipient(s) and those schools of the student recipient(s), as well as being awarded a leadership pin and first-year APTA career starter dues fully paid by the APTA Pennsylvania membership committee (state dues to be paid by Student Leadership Award winner). 

Requirements for all applicants: 

  • Must be a current APTA member and a student in a Pennsylvania PT, PTA, or transitional PT program anytime within the calendar year.
  • Must complete the online application.
  • Must either attach a letter of recommendation from a non-student APTA member (i.e., Clinical instructor) to this application or have the sponsor email the letter of support to Katie Maher - please list the student's name as the email subject.  

Submit your nomination for this award.

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DR. TOM STEWART AWARD

This award is intended to provide an opportunity for a student to become more involved in the professional association. The award provides funding for APTA Pennsylvania Annual MovePA conference registration, hotel expenses, and admission to the PAC event to a PT or PTA student who will be in their 2nd or 3rd year at the time of the conference.

A panel will review the applicants, and a final review by the membership chair will determine the recipient of the Dr. Tom Stewart Award.

Requirements for all applicants:

  • Must be a current APTA member and a student in a Pennsylvania PT, PTA, or transitional PT program anytime within the calendar year.
  • Must complete the online application.
  • Must provide a 1-2 paragraph statement on future APTA Pennsylvania involvement.

Submit your nomination for this award.

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APTA PENNSYLVANIA MINORITY MEMBERSHIP AWARD

The Minority Membership Award recognizes physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students in an accredited program to encourage membership, engagement, and afford eligibility for APTA Pennsylvania student membership dues.

Five (5) PT students and five (5) PTA students will be awarded their APTA/APTA Pennsylvania student dues (both national and chapter dues) paid for one year. Please complete the application - optional: recommendation letters can either be uploaded to the application or emailed directly to Katie Maher.

These awards are sponsored by APTA Pennsylvania’s commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion.

Submit your nomination for this award.

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APTA PENNSYLVANIA MINORITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE NEW GRAD AWARD

This grant will provide a one-time monetary award that supports the transition of a student to becoming a new grad who identifies as a racial/ethnic minority. Recipients are required to attend at least one Minority Affairs meeting and/or volunteer at a MAC sponsored program. Applicants must also plan to practice as a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant in the state of Pennsylvania within the first year of graduation.

Application Requirements:
• Graduation Date & GPA
• Clinical or Work Experience
• Extracurricular Activities
• Professional Service/Volunteerism
• Essay – What do you hope to achieve during your first year as a treating clinician? 200 words or less
• Letter of Recommendation (Optional)

Submit your nomination for this award.

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APTA PENNSYLVANIA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG) AWARDS SELECTION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES 

The Awards Committee for APTA Pennsylvania's Special Interest Groups annually seeks nominations for the Acute Care, Geriatric, Pediatric, Neurology, and Private Practice SIG Awards. The awards are presented at the annual APTA Pennsylvania conference each year. 

The awards for each SIG recognize a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant that is a member of APTA/APTA Pennsylvania and has made meaningful contributions to physical therapy at the individual, chapter, or national level in the practice area supported by the SIG. The contributions can be in any of the following areas: 

  • Excellence in patient care or clinical practice
  • Excellence in education or research 
  • Community advocacy 

If you would like to recognize a colleague for excellence in acute care, geriatrics, pediatrics, neurology, or private practice, please submit a letter of nomination and the candidate's resume/CV (preferred, not required) through the APTA Pennsylvania SIG Award nomination form. The nomination letter should provide evidence with specific examples of the individual’s contributions. Mail hard-copy submissions to:

APTA Pennsylvania Office, SIG Award Submission
attn. Katie Maher
2400 Ardmore Blvd., Ste. 302
Pittsburgh, PA 15221

Digital submission of nominations is highly encouraged.

To Nominate:
Each nominee will need:

  1. At least one letter of nomination stating reasons for selection.
  2. A current resume/CV

Submit your nomination for these awards.

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