

Thanks to your support and the careful stewardship through 2020, we were able to increase funding levels in 2021. We awarded $82,500 in PODS I Scholarships, $135,000 in PODS II Scholarships, $15,000 towards our first ever combined fellowship award, and $610,000 in research grants!



On behalf of the FPTR Board of Trustees, it has been an honor to steward the careful investments that FPTR makes in emerging research and researchers.
Through careful spending in 2020, we were able to increase funding for new researchers in 2021. FPTR’s largest investment to date, a ten-year grant funding the Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR) continued to yield remarkable results in 2021. We also developed a new strategic plan to further grow the reach of our mission beginning in 2022. The future of the organization remains strong.
I would like to thank you for your continued support over the years. Donors and volunteers like you have helped us continue our critically needed work during the unforeseeable challenges of recent years.
In good health and hope,
Paul Rockar













A 2012 Mary McMillan Lecture presented by Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA, Face Into the Storm, was the catalyst for FPTR to make a major investment in health services research.
In 2021, FPTR continued funding CoHSTAR with a $250,000 investment. The grant establishing CoHSTAR was awarded in 2015 and will be funded through 2025.


Just a decade after Jette's initial call for action, CoHSTAR is in full swing and stands as the leading organization in developing researchers specialized in this urgently needed field. The initial investment in CoHSTAR has also led to a $5.5 million grant to create the Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network.
Funding for CoHSTAR was made possible with a $1 million gift from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), gifts from APTA components, and donations from physical therapists, foundations, and corporations. More than 150 donors made the grant possible.
The FPTR Board of Trustees approved a new strategic plan in 2021 to guide the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research beginning in 2022. Goals include increasing the diversity of funding applicants, developing key partnerships to achieve our mission, and continuing post-pandemic recovery and growth.
FPTR named 2021 Service Awardees for their commitment and contributions to the profession. Stanley V. Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, HonLLD (Otago), received the 2021 Robert C. Bartlett Trustee Recognition Service Award. The California Physical Therapy Association and the California Physical Therapy Fund (CAL-PT-FUND) received the 2021 Premier Partner in Research Award. Michael J. Mueller, PT, PhD, FAPTA, received the 2021 Charles M. Magistro Distinguished Service Award. Stanley V. Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, HonLLD (Otago) and Catherine Patla, PT, DHSc, MS, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT, FAPTA, received the 2021 Spirit of Philanthropy Award.

Drew Bossen

Don Jackson

Eva Norman
FPTR named three new appointees to the organization’s Board of Trustees in 2021. The appointees — Drew Bossen, PT, MBA; Don Jackson, PT, MS; and Eva Norman, PT, DPT –joined FPTR starting January 2022. Helene M. Fearon, PT, FAPTA; Randy Roesch, PT, DPT, MBA, FAPTA; Sheila Schindler-Ivens, PT, PhD; and Francis Welk, PT, DPT, MED; concluded their service in 2022. FPTR also elected for Stanley Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, HonLLD(Otago) to serve a one-year term as a non-voting Honorary Trustee beginning January 1, 2022.


DON JACKSON, PT, MS
Treasurer
"It is an honor for me to steward the Foundation’s investments in the profession as we continue to grow. It’s thanks to the generosity of our donors that we are able to fund the most promising research. For a complete financial statement, follow the link below."


Effective January 1, 2021, FPTR and APTA entered an agreement to solidify a decades-long partnership. Through APTA’s support, FPTR will continue to fund research to advance the physical therapy profession and the people it serves. We award funding using a transparent peer-review process and will remain an independent 501(c)3.
FPTR was founded in 1979 with seed money from APTA members. For more than 40 years, APTA has remained the nonprofit's lead partner in research. APTA has also stepped in to support major FPTR-funded research initiatives such as the Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR).
Thank you for your support of research, APTA!


As part of the new partnership agreement, FPTR's office is now located in the APTA headquarters, APTA Centennial Center. This state-of-the-art building aligns with APTA's mission-based pursuit to build community and is designed with health and wellness in mind. The move to APTA's new home is symbolic of the shared collaboration of the two organizations.
Mazzarella, of The Ohio State University, will apply this award to her project titled: “Hippotherapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Upper Extremity Activity, Participation, and Engagement.”



Funded by the APTA Scholarship Fund


Funded by the the Mildred Wood Fund


Funded by the APTA Scholarship Fund


Funded through the Florence Kendall Doctoral Scholarship Fund


Recipient of the Florence Kendall Award, funded through the Florence Kendall Doctoral Scholarship Fund


Recipient of the Marquette Challenge Award, funded through the General Research Fund


Made possible by a donation from PhysicalTherapy.com to the General Research Fund


Recipient of the Pediatric PODS Award funded by the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Fund


Recipient of the Charlene Mae Nelson Award, funded through the Charlene Mae Nelson Endowment Fund


Funded by the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy


Recipient of the Patricia Leahy Award, funded by the Neurology Endowment Fund



Funded through the APTA Supporting the Profession Fund


Recipient of the Scot C. Irwin Award, funded by Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy Endowment Fund


Equally funded by the Charlene Mae Nelson Fund and the Academy of Pelvic Health


Recipient of the Mary Lou Barnes Award, funded by the Neurology Endowment Fund


Recipient of the Mary Lou Barnes Award funded by the Neurology Endowment Fund


Recipient of the Karen St. John Award, funded through the General Research Fund


Recipient of the Phoebe Rhomberger Award, funded by the Phoebe Rhomberger Fund


Equally funded through the Neurology Endowment Fund and the General Research Fund


Recipient of the Phoebe Rhomberger Award, funded by the Phoebe Rhomberger Fund




These fundraisers add up! Since 1989, students have raised more than $4.5 MILLION for research. This year is especially meaningful because of the creativity of the student fundraisers. With social distancing and other safety measures, students held virtual events from craft nights to 5Ks in support of research. We extend our gratitude to the students for their perseverance.
Isabelle Bohman*
Nancy and Fred Byl
Susan C. Clinton
Kent and Merle Culley
Pamela A. Duffy
Joseph and Edith Farrell
Edelle C. Field-Fote
Jill A. Floberg
Marilyn Gerhard
Roger A. Herr
Bette C. Horstman
Loretta Knutson and Gary Soderberg
Carole B. Lewis
Theresa Marko
Irene R. McEwen
James and Ardis McKillip
Susan L. Michlovitz
Ruth U. Mitchell*
Marilyn Moffat
Jacqueline Montgomery
Janet M. Peterson
Dorothy Pinkston*
Rick and Gwenn Rausch
Paul and Judith Rockar
Randy Roesch
Shawne E. Soper
Katherine A. Stemm
Steven H. Tepper and Linda Paferi
Brad A. Thuringer
Pat A. Traynor
Michael Weinper
Francis J. Welk
Steven and Lois Wolf
Anonymous (12)
*Deceased
Stuart and Catriona Binder-Macleod
The John W. and Rosemary K. Brown Family Foundation
John and Amy Childs
Barbara H. Connolly
Rebecca L. Craik
W. James Downs, Jr.
Neva F. Greenwald
Mary Jane Harris
Cathy and Jeff Konkler
Magistro Family Foundation
Ruth Ursala Mitchell Estate
Marilyn Moffat
William S. Quillen
Paul and Judith Rockar
St. John Family Foundation
Steven H. Tepper and Linda Paferi
Patricia A. Traynor
Beth Whitehead
Marilyn W. Williams
Magistro Family Foundation
APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
California Physical Therapy Association
California Physical Therapy Fund
Florida Physical Therapy Association
HPSO/CNA
Marquette University
New York University
PhysicalTherapy.com
Private Practice Section
St. John Family Foundation
The John W. and Rosemary K. Brown Family Foundation
The Estate of Ruth Mitchell
The Ohio State University
Tri W-G, Inc.
University of Delaware
University of Miami
University of Pittsburgh
Virginia Commonwealth University
Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Armedica Manufacturing Corporation
Louisiana State Univ. Health Sciences Center in Shreveport
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Shenandoah University
Total Gym
Washington University in St. Louis
William Carey University
Arcadia University
Creighton University
Indiana University
Ithaca College
Julie Getz
Louisiana State Univ. Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Ohio Physical Therapy Association
Rehab Essentials
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Sacred Heart University
Saint Louis University
Somerset Community College
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Tonic Physical Therapy, PLLC
University of St. Augustine - Austin, TX
WebPT
Michael B. Arnall
Linda E. Arslanian
Robert E. Ayers
Amy F. Bailes
Elaine Becker Sher
Laurence N. Benz and Patty Benz
Janet R. Bezner
Joanell A. Bohmert
Bill and Jill Boissonnault
Drew G. Bossen
David A. Brown
Terence C. Brown
Wayne and Jane Bryan
Nancy and Fred Byl
Suzann K. Campbell
Monica A. Chase
Steven B. Chesbro
Lynn A. Colby
Jerome B. Connolly
Carolyn Cotter
Carolyn A. Crutchfield
Diane M. Davis
Mark S. De Carlo
Anthony and Ronna Delitto
Thomas DiAngelis and Jeanine Gunn
Laura and David Dudley
John C. Dugan
Sharon L. Dunn
Peggy Evans
Joe and Edie Farrell
Martha J. Ferretti
Edelle C. Field-Fote
Mark A. Figueroa
Timothy W. and Susan C. Flynn
Stephen M. Foster
Julie M. Fritz
Jody S. Frost
Marilyn Gerhard
Julie Getz
Ann C. Grove
Marc Guillet
Laurita M. Hack and John C. Hershey
Kenneth J. Harwood and Ellen Costello-Harwood
Roger A. Herr
Dwayne Hofstatter
Justin A. Hoover
Keith Hudson
Matthew and Nanette Hyland
James and Patricia Irrgang
Donald E. Jackson
Gail M. Jensen
Alan M. Jette
Wen K. Ling
Joyce Maring
Charles L. Martin, Jr. and Carol Martin
Lori and Matthew K. Walsworth
Susan L. Michlovitz
Rodney A. Miyasaki
Justin Moore
Herman Triezenberg and Elizabeth Mostrom
Nicolas and Carol Myrianthis
Pat and Nancy Neuhoff
Arthur J. Nitz
Terrence M. Nordstrom
Eva Norman
Shreedevi K. Pandya
Carolynn Patten
Stuart H. Platt
Elizabeth J. Protas
Richard W. Rausch
Michael R. Riley
William L. Roberts
Lisa K. Saladin
Timothy M. Schell
Sheila M. Schindler-Ivens
Beverly J. Schmoll
Lynn Snyder-Mackler
Neil I. Spielholz
Dennis Spillane
Mike T. Studer
Jadyn Vail
Mark L. Valente
Linda R. Van Dillen and Mark Meiners
Ann F. Van Sant
John G. Wallace, Jr. and Ingrid Anderson
Michael Weinper
Francis J. Welk
Steven and Lois Wolf
Louise D. Yurko
Jay P. Schultz
Julie A. Ellis and Tom Wagner
Kepros Physical Therapy and Performance P.C
Michigan Physical Therapy Association
Midwestern University - Downers Grove
Northwestern University
Performance Rehab Clinic
Physical Therapy Provider Network
Seton Hall University
St. Ambrose University
The George Washington University
Virtualis VR Corp
Susan A. Appling
Robert and Ann Baird
Robert C. Bartlett
Edie K. Benner
Rick A. Black
Kathy J. Blair
John E. Bonaroti
Samuel M. Brown
Suzanne R. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Randal E. Bryant
Barbara B. Butler
Angela A. Campbell
Victoria L. Carpenter
LeeAnne Carrothers
Paul L. Christensen
Maryann F. Clark
Carmen Cooper-Oguz
J. Kyle Covington
Donna J. Croce
James J. Dagostino
Deirdre Daley
Elizabeth A. Domholdt
Cynthia Driskell
Brett L. Eberle
Susan K. Effgen
Julie A. Ellis and Tom Wagner
Sheryl D. Finucane
Pauline W. Flesch
Eileen M. Fowler
Scott H. Gelbs
Steven Z. George
Karl R. and Alice Gibson
Jay M. Goodfarb
James and Providencia Gordon
Steven T. Gough
David G. Greathouse
Samuel Greenberg
Andrew A. Guccione
Janet L. Gwyer
Marcie Harris-Hayes
Margo J. Hayes
Jill E. Heitzman
Paul A. Hildreth
Kevin Hulsey
Craig D. Johnson
Michael P. Johnson
Elizabeth M. Johnson
Richard S. Katz
Theodore J. Kepros
Fran Kern
Gary Krasilovsky
Joseph V. Libera
George C. Louie
Venita and Benjamin Lovelace-Chandler
Kathleen K. Mairella
Barbara Malm and Jason Matteo
Terry Malone
Tara J. Manal
Judith Mann
Suzanne D. Martin
Patricia McAdoo
James P. McCracken
Joseph M. McCulloch
Alison L. McKenzie
Ron L. Meade
Tsega A. Mehreteab
Marsha E. Melnick
Erica A. Meloe
Scott and Mary Minor
David M. Morris
Venise V. Mule-Glass
Thomas G. Mulvey
Rose Sgalat Myers
Barbara J. Norton
Robert J. Palisano
Cathy B. Parrott
Attilio S. Pensavalle
Roland J. Perreault
Christopher M. Powers
David W. Qualls
Darcy S. Reisman
Kathryn E. Roach
Robert H. Rowe
Shirley A. Sahrmann
Barbara Sanders
Gilbert and Alice Schoos
Charles M. Shapiro
Richard K. Shields
Neil E. Shiosaki
Richard W. Shutes
Melissa J. Simon
David R. Sinacore
Sue Ann Sisto
Emily J. Slaven
Willes Sonnefield
Jennifer E. Stevens-Lapsley
Blaine D. Stimac
Judith Stitley
Jane E. Sullivan
Marilyn M. Swygert
Dorothy L. Tarvestad
William C. Temes
Victoria S. T. Tilley
Jessie M. Van Swearingen
Wade D. VanDover
H. Philip and Becky Vierling
R. Scott Ward
Paul Welk
Mary Ann Wharton
Nancy T. White
Stephen M. Wirth
Holly H. Wise
Sheree C. York
Cynthia C. Zadai
Audrey R. Zucker-Levin
Emory University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
In Touch Physical Therapy
New York Physical Therapy Management, P. C.
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Central Arkansas
University of South Dakota
Gail A. Altekruse
Alfonso L. Amato
Mark A. Anderson
Joey L. Baker
Andrea L. Behrman
George J. Beneck
Sherry S. Bicak
Lillian J. Bray
John A. Buford
Robert J. Burger
Virginia A. Byrd
James R. Carey
Kay Cerny
Holly Clynch
Susan Collopy
Kent and Merle Culley
Jack M. Dabbert
Michael Davis
Sandra B. Davis
Stephanie L. Di Stasi
Skye Donovan
Pamela A. Duffy
Pamela W. Duncan
Kim Dunleavy
Gammon M. Earhart
Michael J. Emery
Debra L. Engel-Yakobishvili
Samuel H. Esterson
Helene and Tim Fearon
Doreen K. Frank
John J. Fraser
Kathleen M. Gill-Body
Glenn H. Goldfinger
Jacqueline Gomes
Ira Gorman
Jennie K. Gregory
Susan R. Griffin
JoAnne K. Gronley
Geraldine M. Grzybek
Andrew T. Hayes
Judy D. Hershberg
Peggy and Neil Hiller
Cheri Hodges
Dale K. Hoistad
Ellen Nona Hoyven
Christine Iverson
Heather R. Jennings
Joanne S. Katz
Karen L. Kemmis
Colleen M. Kigin
Robert W. and Gloria A. Kilpatrick
Neva J. Kirk-Sanchez
Nancy R. Kirsch
Aimee B. Klein
Anne and Bob Kloos
Grace M. Knott
Brian B. Lambert
Deborah S. Larsen
Cornelia Lieb-Lundell
Paula M. Ludewig
Lorna V. Luketin
Michelle M. Lusardi
Peggy J. Lynam
Victoria G. Marchese
Theresa Marko
Prudence Markos
Michael Masaracchio
William F. McGehee, Jr.
Alma and Richard Merians
Theresa H. Michel
James C. Milder
Michael and Monica Mueller
Janet S. Mukai
Sandra L. Norby
Joseph F. Norman
Kenneth A. Olson
Mary T. Perlstein
David W. Perry
Andrea L. Pfeifle
Miriam R. Rafferty
Amira E. Ranney
Sumita S. Rao
Victoria Razin
Richard C. Ritter
Lynn C. Rivers
Jason R. Rodeghero
Mark A. Romanick
Elaine R. Rosen
M. Joanna Ross
Gretchen B. Salsich
David A. Scalzitti
C. Raymond Schaney
Kip Schick
Susan Schiliro
Laura C. Schmitt
Glenn N. Scudder
Laurie D. Seckel
Lorraine Shelton-Gaines
Patricia G. Shields
Mary D. Slavin
James M. Smith
Jerry A. Smith
Britta N. Smith
Amy T. Snyder
William Staples
Kathryn B. Stenslie
Ellen Strunk
Susan L. Suria
Julie S. Swedarsky
Tim P. Thorsen
Kimberly S. Topp
Kristen Transue
Patrick J. VanBeveren
Kerry E. Walsh
Selden D. Wasson
Margaret M. Weightman
Marian Westerhuis
Pamela S. White
Carolee J. Winstein and Kip S. Thorne
Jean M. Woods
Robert P. Worth
Gabriel E. Yankowitz
Catherine J. Zarosinski