Alumni Awards
The following awards celebrate and recognize the achievements of our distinguished alumni.
To nominate an alumnus for consideration:
- Fill out the award nomination form.
- Share the nominee's curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendations to emily.becker@northwestern.edu.
Current Winner (2023): Andrea Zujko (Class of ’02)
Pronouns: She/her
Bio: Andrea Zujko is this year's recipient of the NUPTHMS Alumnus of the Year Award. Andrea Zujko PT, DPT, OCS, COMT is a licensed and board-certified physical therapist, certified Pilates Instructor, and educator in the Dance Medicine field. Andrea graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University in 2002. Post-graduation, Andrea received her COMT certification from NAIOMT in 2010 and became an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) through ABPTS in 2013.
In 2002, Andrea joined Westside Dance Physical Therapy (WSDPT) where she is currently a senior physical therapist and the clinic manager of the practice. As part of her work, Andrea treats dancers with the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet.
In 2012, Andrea became an adjunct professor and onsite PT with the Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department at NYU. In addition to providing onsite PT care and Pilates instruction, Andrea is currently teaching functional anatomy classes to the BFA dance majors.
Since 2008, Andrea started teaching continuing education coursework through her involvement with WSDPT’s Dance Medicine Practicum. In 2018, she was recruited by Johns Hopkins Hospital to teach this program as part of the didactic portion of their Performing Arts Fellowship Program as well as a continuing education offering to healthcare professionals. In 2020, she decided to create the Dance Medicine Education Initiative, a new collaborative and comprehensive education company devoted to the assessment and treatment of dancers' bodies.
Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the profession of Physical Therapy. This may occur in a variety of ways and the nominee may contribute to the physical therapy program by means of:
- Teaching (e.g. guest lecturer, TA, member of panel discussions, etc.)
- Promoting the University program (e.g. liaison for admissions/interviewing potential candidates, assisting at job fairs and/or career nights at area schools)
- Participation in Clinical Education (serving as clinical instructor or CCCE, mentoring students)
- Promoting the Alumni Association (e.g. member of the Board of Directors, class representative, committee member)
- Upholding the values and ideals of NUPTHMS through their contributions to the profession throughout their career
A good candidate will also have made meaningful contributions to the APTA nationally, as well as in their state chapter.
Nominees who promote the NUPT Alumni Association (e.g. member of the Board of Directors, class representative, committee member) or contribute directly to NUPT will be given weighted consideration.
Previous Recipients: 2022: Jennifer Gilbertson ('87), 2021: David Wessells (’99), 2020: Mark Hunter Hall (’97), 2019: Jean Kestner (’87), 2017: Paula Goga Eppenstein (’92), 2016: Rachel Tappan (’96), 2015: Bill Healey (’93), 2014: Joe Farrell (’76)
Inaugural Winner (2025): yet to be announced
Award Description: The Community and Societal Impact Award honors a Northwestern University DPT graduate who has made significant contributions to community health, societal well-being, and advancing equity in rehabilitation and healthcare access. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership in service, advocacy, mentorship, and research, working to create sustainable and meaningful change in their communities and the profession.
Eligiable nominees will have demonstrated outstanding contributions in one or more of the following areas:
- Public Health & Community Outreach- Creating initiatives that improve health education, rehabilitation awareness, and patient care access in underserved or marginalized populations.
- Health Equity & Access Expansion- Advocating for equity in healthcare policies, rehabilitation services, and professional workforce in physical therapy.
- Service to Underserved Populations- Engaging in pro bono services, disaster relief, humanitarian work, or expanding care for vulnerable groups.
- Education & Workforce Development- Mentoring and training students, clinicians, and faculty to advance health equity practices.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Societal Impact- Partnering with healthcare systems, public health organizations, and policymakers to address barriers to rehabilitation and wellness.
Why this award matters: it recognizes leaders who use their expertise in physical therapy to make a lasting impact on communities, healthcare systems, and public policy.
We would like to recognize previous recipients of two former awards that have been combined to create the Community & Societal Impact Award: 2023: Lee Ryder ('18), Tasha Weatherspoon ('98), 2022: Dawn Brown ('99), 2021: Karin Schumacher (’73), 2020: Patsy Lawton (’64), 2019: Rick Schurman (’77), 2018: Jennifer Henry (’05), 2017: Nate Coomer (’06), 2016: Susan Davis (’77), 2015: Toni Sander (’87), 2014: Demetra John (’77)
Current Winner: 2025 Winner Yet to be Announced
Full Description: The Distinguished Alum Award is offered from the Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences and NU Physical Therapy Alumni Association to recognize an individual who has exhibited outstanding leadership and/or impact on the physical therapy profession throughout his or her career as shown by contributions to and/or promotion of PTHMS in scholarship, teaching, administration, or service. This individual is a physical therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University.
Previous Recipients: Robert Babbs, Jr., Sally C. Edelsberg, Joe Farrell, Marilyn Holt, Mark Kaufman
Current Winner (2022): Jonathan Tsay (Class of '18)
Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the program in the area of research. The research, past or present, can be conducted at Northwestern or through an employer, professional organization (e.g. IPTA/APTA, etc.), or other educational institution(s). The nature and content of the research should improve the profession as a whole by contributing objective measurement and sound reasoning to the practice of Physical Therapy.
Previous Recipients: 2022: Jonathan Tsay ('18), 2021: Margaret Danilovich (’07), 2020: Jane Sulllivan (’81), 2019: Karen Mueller (’87), 2017: Marcie Harris Hayes (’86), 2016: Dr. Mary Massery (’77), 2015: Lois Hedman (’87), 2014: Alison Chang (’96)
Current Winner (2023): Meghan Lamothe (Class of ’17)
Pronouns: She/her
Bio: Meghan Lamothe is this year's recipient of the NUPTHMS Young Alumnus of the Year Award. Meghan currently works as a Clinical Specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. She is Coordinator, Faculty, & Mentor in the HSS Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program and also coordinates the HSS Rehab Concussion Program. She completed an Orthopedic Residency at USC in 2018 after graduating from NUPT in 2017.
Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences within the past 10 years and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the profession of Physical Therapy. This may occur in a variety of ways. The nominee may contribute to a Physical Therapy program by means of:
- Teaching (e.g. guest lecturer, TA, member of panel discussions, etc.)
- Promoting the University program (e.g. liaison for admissions/interviewing potential candidates, assisting at job fairs and/or career nights at area schools)
- Participation in Clinical Education (e.g. serving as clinical education (e.g. serving as clinical instructor or CCCE, mentoring students).
A good candidate will also have made meaningful contributions to the APTA nationally, as well as in their state chapter.
Nominees who promote the NUPT Alumni Association (e.g. member of the Board of Directors, class representative, committee member) or contribute directly to NUPT will be given weighted consideration.
Previous Recipients: 2022: Kristen Tinlin (’13), 2021: Colleen Ward (’15), 2020: Amanda Greene (’09), 2019: Mary Kate Casey (’13), 2018: Natalie Look Reed (’08), 2017: Laura Miller McPherson (’12), 2016: Dr. Justin Lantz (’12), 2015: Lindsey Plass (’12), 2014: Kristin Liebl (’08)
Robert Babbs, Jr., a 1957 Northwestern University physical therapy graduate, has significantly impacted the profession locally, nationally and globally. As an exceptional leader and mentor, he's influenced hundreds of colleagues throughout his career, earning recognition through APTA's Hall of Fame award, IPTA's Outstanding Physical Therapy award and Northwestern's Alumnus of the Year.
Sally C. Edelsberg, PT, MS, FAPTA, directed Northwestern University's physical therapy programs from 1972 to 1999, demonstrating exceptional leadership with a commitment to making physical therapy education accessible regardless of students' financial circumstances.