The Northwestern University Physical Therapy Alumni Association facilitates a collegial relationship among our physical therapy graduates and promotes continued interest in, communication with and support of physical therapy education programs at Northwestern University. Our mission is to inspire NUPTHMS alumni intellectually, socially and professionally through programs that foster curiosity, connection, advocacy and growth. We cultivate lifelong relationships, inspire continuous learning and connect our diverse alumni network by fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. Learn more about our work and get in touch.
Interested in staying in touch with us and your fellow alumni? Follow us on social media or connect with us through our quarterly newsletter.
Our Alumni Association Board serves as the official voice of the association and liases between alumni and the Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences.
Executive Committee: President - Beth Amoroso (‘05), Vice President - Suzanne Semanson (‘06)
Members: Suzie Coleman (‘95), Jon Go (‘12), Amy Gruenke ('22), Maya Harkavy ('25), Cathy Irwin (‘85), Aleks Kerzee-Stamatelopoulos (‘10), Jean Rogers (‘71), Sally Edelsberg (Honorary Member)
Email emily.becker@northwestern.edu and toby.sanders@northwestern.edu
Alumni AwardsThe following awards celebrate and recognize the achievements of our distinguished alumni.
To nominate an alumnus for consideration:
Recognizes an alum who has made significant contributions to the profession of Physical Therapy.
Current Winner (2026): Josiah Sault, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (Class of ’09)
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:
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: 2025: Tricia Catalino, PT, DSc ('96), 2023: Andrea Zujko ('02), 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)
Recognizes leadership in community engagement, health equity and societal change.
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.
Eligible nominees will have demonstrated outstanding contributions in one or more of the following areas:
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.
Previous Recipients: 2025: Brianna Chesser, PT, MPT, EdD ('00), Brook Orvis, PT, DPT ('18)
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)
Award 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: Donna Frownfelter, Robert Babbs, Jr., Sally C. Edelsberg, Joe Farrell, Marilyn Holt, Mark Kaufman
Current Winner (2026): Chris Hagan, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (Class of '15)
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: 2025: Ryan Pelo ('10), 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 (2025): Jesse Anderson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (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 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:
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: 2025: Renzo Mendoza ('19), 2023: Meghan Lamothe ('17), 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)
Pickleball SocialAlumni, mark your calendars! Our first ever Pickleball Social is coming this fall and you won’t want to miss it!
Join us for an afternoon of pickleball with your fellow NUPTHMS Alumni. Snacks & non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, all levels are welcome. Plus, we are offering a learn-to-play session with a pickleball pro.
$49/person: Standard Play Ticket
$49/person: Learn-to-play Ticket
*Registration required
Questions? Please contact nupthmsalumni@northwestern.edu
Register for Pickleball Today!
Are you passionate about giving back, building connections, and creating opportunities for fellow graduates? Join our Alumni Board and play a key role in strengthening our network, planning events, and driving initiatives that make a lasting impact. This is your chance to share your voice, expand your leadership skills, and help foster a vibrant alumni community.
The board does not always have open spots, but the interest form will allow us to have your information on hand when spots become available.
Please contact nupthmsalumni@northwestern.edu with any questions.
ROADMAP provides mentorship through a structured framework for students to enhance their skills with hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and career guidance.
In ROADMAP, DPT classes are organized into four groups, with each group assigned an alumnus to serve as a mentor. ROADMAP Mentors meet with students once per month, focusing on various topics of professional interest, such as career development, industry insights, and skill enhancement. Additionally, these meetings foster connections and relationship-building among the students and alumni, thus facilitating the exchange of valuable perspectives to guide professional growth. If you are interested in becoming a mentor for the upcoming academic calendar year or in the future, please complete the ROADMAP interest form.
ROADMAP Interest Form
Please contact pthms@northwestern.edu with any questions
See our current mentors!
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.
At the University of Chicago, Robert built comprehensive physical therapy services, creating opportunities for diverse professionals and providing essential mentorship. His advocacy for minority physical therapists has helped diversify the profession for future generations.
Guided by strong values from his parents, military service and early mentors, Robert held numerous leadership positions, including IPTA President (1982-1984), 26-time House of Delegates representative and APTA Administration Section President (1976-1978). An APTA member since 1956, he also served as an IPTA scholarship trustee (1969-1989) and was active in the CPTDF and AAPT.
Watch Living History video on Robert Babbs, Jr.
A scholarship has been established in Robert’s honor to support physical therapy students at Northwestern. We are actively fundraising to endow the scholarship for a lasting influence in the profession. Make a donation online or through the information below.
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Development & Alumni Relations 420 E. Superior St. Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 773-709-0739 victor.maurer@northwestern.edu |
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.
Her extensive professional service included terms as Illinois PT Association president (1973-1977), APTA House of Delegates representative (1970-1975), and APTA board member (1975-1982). Her involvement with the World Confederation for Physical Therapy include Voting Delegate (1987-1991), Executive Committee (1991-1995) and Vice President (1995-1999). Her achievements were recognized with the APTA Lucy Blair Service Award (1983), FAPTA status and as the inaugural recipient of the University of Wisconsin's Margaret Kohli Award (1972).
Sally began her career at Chicago's Hines Hospital VA before accepting a position as Program Director for the Health Careers Council of Illinois. She joined Northwestern as a graduate student and part-time faculty in the fall of 1970. In 1971 the faculty position became full-time and in 1972 she completed her MS. She moved into the Director position in 1972.
Watch Living History video on Sally Edelsberg
Gifts in honor of Sally can be made to the Sally C. Edelsberg Scholarship in Physical Therapy. Showing gratitude for Sally's impact in your life and on the profession is a thoughtful way to support future physical therapy education and training at Northwestern. Make a donation online or through the information below.
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Development & Alumni Relations 420 E. Superior St. Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 773-709-0739 victor.maurer@northwestern.edu |
Babette Seligmann Sanders, PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York in 1972 and began her professional career in acute care in NYC. She then received her MS in Physical Therapy in 1974 from Long Island University and her DPT in 2010 from Simmons University. Prior to joining the faculty in Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences in 1989 she had a variety of clinical roles in acute care and private practice settings.
On faculty, she taught in many clinical and professional courses, later serving as the Assistant Chair for Curricular Affairs and then as Assistant Chair for Student Affairs until her retirement in 2022. Her research interests revolved around educational and professional issues and acute care physical therapy. At Northwestern, she was a member of FAME and received the Linzer Award for Excellence in Faculty Service having served as President of the Medical Faculty Council and the NU Faculty Senate. In June, 2026 she was elected as President of the Northwestern Emeriti Organization for a one-year term.
She has served the professional in a variety of state and national positions including IPTA Legislation Chair, Chief Delegate and President. At the national level, she served and continues to serve on numerous committees and in elected positions including as a member and chair of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, member of the House of Delegates, and 12 years of service on the APTA Board of Directors. The Illinois PT Association named an award the Babette Sanders Leadership and Service Award. The APTA has bestowed the Lucy Blair Service Award and the Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award and elected Babette as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow.
Watch Professional History video on Babette S. Sanders
Gifts in honor of Babette can be made to the Babette S. Sanders PT Scholarship fund. Showing gratitude for Babette's impact in your life and on the profession is a thoughtful way to support future physical therapy education and training at Northwestern. Make a donation online or through the information below.
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Development & Alumni Relations 420 E. Superior St. Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 773-709-0739 victor.maurer@northwestern.edu |
Find relevant resources and services for PTHMS alumni through the links below.
