FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2018 POSTPROFESSIONAL DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $240,000

ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 31, 2018) – The Foundation for Physical Therapy Board of Trustees recently awarded a total of $340,000 in Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) I & II Scholarships and a New Investigator Fellowship Training Initiative (NIFTI) to a total of 24 physical therapists.

“After a rigorous peer review process, we are pleased to announce the 2018 PODS and NIFTI funding recipients,” said Foundation Board of Trustees President Edelle Field-Fote, PT, PhD, FAPTA. “As we continue to foster innovation in physical therapy research and fulfill our mission of developing the next generation of researchers, we are certain that these individuals will continue to support effective therapeutic interventions and methods to help propel the profession forward.”

The Foundation awards PODS I Scholarships of $7,500 each year to physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who have completed at least two full semesters or three full quarters of their coursework toward a post professional doctoral degree. PODS II Scholarships of up to $15,000 each are also awarded annually to physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who have been formally admitted to post-professional doctoral candidacy.

The 2018 PODS I Scholarship recipients are:

• Giovanni Berardi, PT, DPT, Marquette University, recipient of the Bella May Award, funded by the Bella J. May Scholarship Fund
• Margaret A. French, PT, DPT, University of Delaware, recipient of the Mercer-Marquette Challenge Award, funded by the annual Marquette Challenge
• Christopher J. Hoekstra, PT, DPT, Oregon Health & Science University, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Jason Sharpe, PT, DPT, University of Utah, recipient of the Viva J. Erickson Award, funded by the Viva J. Erickson Endowment Fund
• Rachel Bican, PT, DPT, The Ohio State University, funded by the Legacy Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Kara L. Boynewicz, PT, DPT, East Tennessee State University, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Reed A. Handlery, PT, DPT, University of South Carolina, funded by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund
• Rashelle M. Hoffman, PT, DPT, University of Nebraska Medical Center, recipient of the Patricia Leahy Award for outstanding PODS I application in postprofessional studies within neurology, funded by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment
• Dana R. Mathews, PT, DPT, MS, University of Delaware, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Lauren K. Sara, PT, DPT, Marquette University, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Bryant A. Seamon, PT, DPT, Medical University of South Carolina, funded by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund
• Karen E. Thatcher, PT, DPT, The Ohio State University, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Abigail T. Wilson, PT, DPT, University of Florida, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund

PODS I Scholarships are supported through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund.

The PODS II Scholarship recipients are:

• Nayo M. Hill, PT, DPT, Northwestern University, recipient of the Mary Lou Barnes Award for an outstanding PODS II application in postprofessional studies within neurology, funded by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund
• Jason R. Falvey, PT, DPT, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, recipient of the Karen St. John Award, supported by the St. John Family Foundation
• Matthew J. Miller, PT, DPT, University of Colorado – Denver, recipient of the Scott C. Irwin Scholarship, funded by the Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Section Endowment Fund
• Lindsey Brown, PT, DPT, The Ohio State University, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Katie A. Butera, PT, DPT, University of Florida, funded by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Endowment Fund
• Christine A. Cabelka, PT, MPT, University of Minnesota, funded by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Fund
• Jacob J. Capin, PT, DPT, MS, University of Delaware, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Allison M. Gustavson, PT, DPT, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund
• Kirby P. Mayer, PT, DPT, University of Kentucky, funded through the Legacy Scholarship Endowment Fund, made possible by a donation from the Section on Research
• Rebekah L. Summers, PT, DPT, University of Minnesota, funded by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Scholarship Fund

PODS II Scholarships were made possible through the APTA Scholarship Fund.

The Foundation for Physical Therapy was established in 1979 as a national, independent nonprofit organization to fund physical therapy research to optimize health and movement. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $17 million in research grants, fellowships and scholarships. Many of today’s leading physical therapy researchers, clinicians, and academicians began their careers with this support. Foundation-funded researchers have gone on to secure more than $824 million in follow-on funding.

To donate or learn more, visit www.Foundation4pt.org or call 800/875-13678.

###