Skip to main content

Physical Therapy Alumni Association

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.

Stay Connected

Interested in staying in touch with us and your fellow alumni? Follow us on social media or connect with us through our quarterly newsletter.

Celebrating Alumni

Board of Directors

alumni board of directors posing for a photo

Our Alumni Association Board of Directors 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: Kathryn Brito (‘18), Suzie Coleman (‘95), Jon Go (‘12), Cathy Irwin (‘85), Aleks Kerzee-Stamatelopoulos (‘10), Teri Jo Lientz (‘95), Margot McCloy (‘06), Jean Rogers (‘71), Clay Schewe (‘14), Keyra Thurn (‘18), Aben Cooper (‘95 - Immediate Past President), Sally Edelsberg (Honorary Member)

 

Alumni-Award-Winners-2025.pngAlumni Awards

The following awards celebrate and recognize the achievements of our distinguished alumni.

To nominate an alumnus for consideration:

  1. Fill out the award nomination form.
  2. Share the nominee's curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendations to emily.becker@northwestern.edu.

 

Alum of the Year

Recognizes an alum who has made significant contributions to the profession of Physical Therapy.

tricia-catalino-headshot.jpg

Current Winner (2025): Tricia Catalino, PT, DSc (Class of ’96) 


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: 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)

Community & Societal Impact Award

Recognizes leadership in community engagement, health equity and societal change.

bri-chesser-headshot.jpg brook-orvis-headshot.png

Inaugural Winners (2025): Left- Brianna Chesser, PT, MPT, EdD (Class of '00), Right- Brook Orvis, PT, DPT (Class of '18)


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:

  • 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)

Distinguished Alum Award
An individual who has exhibited outstanding leadership and/or impact on the profession through contributions in scholarship, teaching, administration or service.

donaa-frownfelter-headshot.jpeg

Current Winner: Donna Frownfelter, PT, DPT, RRT, MA, FAPTA

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

Research Achievement Award
Recognizes contributions to the program in the area of research.

Ryan-Pelo-Headshot.jpg

Current Winner (2025): Ryan Pelo (Class of '10)

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)

Young Alum of the Year
Recognizes an alum from the past 10 years and their contributions to the profession of physical therapy.

renxzo-mendoza-headshot.jpg

Current Winner (2025): Renzo Mendoza, PT, DPT (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:

  • 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: 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)

 

Living Histories

Robert Babbs, Jr. Living History

Robert Babbs portrait photoRobert 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.

Robert Babbs, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund

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. 

vic-maurer.png

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 Living History

Sally Edelsberg portrait photoSally 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), APTA board member (1975-1982) and World Confederation for Physical Therapy vice president (1995). 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 directing the Health Careers Council of Illinois. She joined Northwestern initially as a graduate student (earning her MS in 1972), then quickly progressed from part-time instructor and clinical coordinator in 1970 to director by 1975.

Watch Living History video on Sally Edelsberg

Sally C. Edelsberg Scholarship

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 NorthwesternMake a donation online or through the information below. 

vic-maurer.png

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

Alumni Resources

trees on the NU Chicago campus

Find relevant resources and services for PTHMS alumni through the links below.

  

Follow PTHMS on Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn