Awards

Alumnus of the Year

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.

Young Alumnus of the Year

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.

Research Achievement Award

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.

Donna Frownfelter Community Service Achievement Award

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 community to promote awareness of Physical Therapy, educate on its role in prevention of health related diseases or injuries, provide support for various health-related issues and/or provide treatment to underserved communities that require Physical Therapy care. A good candidate will exemplify important achievement either as an individual or as part of a group in the development of programs that impact the community in any of the following areas: Education, Disaster Services, Disease Prevention, Healthy Futures, Underserved or Rural Areas and/or Veterans and Military Families.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Achievement Award

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 in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The recipient of this award will demonstrate a commitment to the value of DEI that goes above and beyond their assigned job responsibilities. “Contributing to the profession” can take on many forms such as:

• Present talk or educational session focused on inequality, discrimination and/or exclusion of underrepresented or marginalized groups in healthcare settings or in their communities.

• Evidence of sustained practice of cultural change and offer a critical voice that enhances diversity, equity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy community.

• Demonstrate collaboration with others to achieve equality and harmony in the physical therapy community and encourage positive outcomes as part of larger solutions.

• Create opportunities or programs that bring people from different backgrounds together in the physical therapy community or that promote diversity awareness throughout the field.

•  Demonstrate leadership in service, teaching, and scholarship as it relates to DEI.

•  Demonstrate a commitment to the success of students, faculty, and staff from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

•  Evidence of commitment to serving individuals from underserved areas that demonstrates improved access to care, improved outcomes or improved overall health and well-being of members of that community.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumnus 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.

Past awardees include:

• Robert Babbs, Jr.
• Sally C. Edelsberg
• Joe Farrell
• Marilyn Holt
• Mark Kaufman