Service Awards
Each year, the Foundation for Physical Therapy recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the Foundation and advancing physical therapy research. This year’s recipients include:





Read the full press release to learn more.
The Foundation is proud to award the 2018 Robert C. Bartlett Trustee Recognition Service Awards to former Trustees Aimee B. Klein, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS and Stephen E. Anderson, PT, DPT.
This award is presented to individuals whose personal service and commitment as a trustee has helped develop and sustain activities that promote the funding of physical therapy research and education programs.
Klein is an associate professor and coordinator of post-professional residency education & simulation in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of South Florida in Tampa and served as a Trustee from 2014-2017. In addition to being a long-standing supporter of the Foundation and various initiatives, Klein served on the Foundation’s Awareness and Nominating Committees.
Anderson is the founder of Orange Dot Coaching - an organization focused on developing the next generation of leaders - and a senior Healthcare Advisor for VGM Advantage. He is the former chief executive officer of Therapeutic Associates, Inc. Anderson served on the Foundation’s Board from 2013-2017. In addition to being a steadfast donor, Anderson served on the Foundation’s Nominating and Corporate Philanthropy Committees. He continues to serve on the Foundation’s Audit Committee.
Past Award Recipients:
2017: Barbara H. Connolly, PT, DPT, EdD, FAPTA
2015: William G. Boissonnault, Anthony Delitto
2014: None
2013: Charles T. Wetherington
2012: Patricia A. Traynor, Philip Vierling
The following recipients were recognized for past service in 2013:
2011: Connie Hauser, Marilyn Moffat
2010: Richard Clendaniel, Daniel Riddle, Richard Shields
2009: Babette Sanders
2008: Timothy Lyons
2007: Tom Campanaro, Nancy White
2006: Joanell Bohmert, Ben Massey
2005: Janet Bezner, John Maley (deceased), Francis Welk
2004: Rebecca Craik, Marilyn Gossman (deceased), Ruth Ann Roesch
2003: Jayne Snyder (deceased), John Wallace, Louise Yurko
2000: David Clifton, Oday Lavergne, Gary Leeds, Phyllis Lehman, Corrine Parver, John Whitman
1999: David W. Perry
1997: Merger of APTA and Foundation
1996: Richard Clark, Jay Goodfarb, Mary Foto, Richard Jensen
1995: No record
1994: Scot C. Irwin, Glory Sanders
1993: No record
1992: Jack Close, Robert Deusinger, Fran Kern, Marilyn Moffat
1991: John HP Maley
1990: George Miller and Steven Rose
1989: Robert Babbs, Bland Cannon, Bernard Eichler, Samuel Feitelberg, Florence Kendall, Charles Magistro, Michael Miller, Jacqueline Perry, Ann Walker, Nancy Watts, Jeanette Winfree, Steven Wolf, Lynda Woodruff, Don Wortley
1988: Bob Bartlett
The Foundation is proud to award the 2018 Innovation in Fundraising Award to Marquette University for their original concept to create and co-host the Marquette Challenge annually for 30 years.
This award is presented to a group or individual for demonstrating leadership, creativity, and initiative to develop, coordinate, and execute an innovative fundraising activity to benefit the Foundation. In 1989, physical therapist students from Marquette University spearheaded this effort to raise funds for physical therapy research through the Foundation. To date, Marquette students have raised over $340,000, placing them in the Philanthropy Circle’s Champion Society. Since the inception of the Challenge, 269 schools have participated, raising over $3.7 million for physical therapy research making it possible to fund over 25 research grants and scholarships and to partially fund the 2010 Clagett Family Research Grant. Funds raised through the Challenge also contribute to the rigorous and high quality peer-review process which results in the awarding of all Foundation scholarships and grants. The Challenge continues to inspire generations of students to give back to their future profession.
Past Recipients:
2015: None
2014: Illinois Physical Therapy Association Student Special Interest Group
2013: Wisconsin Chapter
2012: Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, DSc(hon), FAPTA, CSCS, CEEAA
2011: Sheila Schindler-Ivens, PT, PhD
2010: Home Health Section – APTA
2009: Brad Thuringer, PTA
2008: University of Pittsburgh
2007: The Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Section and the Sports Physical Therapy Section
2006: Delaware Chapter – APTA
2005: Steven H Tepper, PT, PhD
The Foundation is proud to award the 2018 Charles M. Magistro Distinguished Service Award to Catherine Patla, PT, DHSc, MS, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT.
This award, named for the first President and Chair of the Foundation, is presented annually to individuals for outstanding service and steadfast commitment toward promoting the Foundation’s goals. Patla has served as a faculty member of the University of St. Augustine since its founding and is currently serving as an associate professor. She was dean of professional education from 2011–2014 and director of the residency and fellowship programs from 2010–2013, among many other contributions. Patla has worked behind the scenes for a number of years to help increase awareness of the Foundation’s impact. She has actively supported a number of fundraising efforts that her husband, Dr. Stanley Paris, had created, resulting in increased awareness of the Foundation and additional funds for research. Most recently, she drove a support vehicle during the Ride for Research, a bicycle across country fundraising effort. Patla is committed to advancing the profession and has generously expressed that dedication, along with Dr. Paris, by donating $3 million to establish an endowment for clinical research funding.
Past Recipients:
2017: Nancy E. Byl, PT, MPH, PhD, FAPTA
2016: Steven H. Tepper, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2015: Robert C. Bartlett, PT, MA, FAPTA
2014: Alan M. Jette, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2013: Dan Riddle, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2012: Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2011: Richard K. Shields, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2010: Susan Deusinger, PT, PhD, FAPTA and Robert Deusinger, PT, PhD
2009: Stanley Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2008: Nancy White, PT, MS, OSC
2007: H. Philip Vierling
2006: Rebecca Craik, PT, PhD, FAPTA
2005: Florence P. Kendall, PT, FAPTA (D)
2004: Jayne L. Snyder, PT, DPT, MA (D)
2003: Mary Ellen Michel, PhD
2002: Duane Fast, VP, The Tri W-G Group
2001: William G. Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAPTA, FAAOMPT
2000: Linda L. Towne, PT, MEd and Peter A. Towne, PT
1999: Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
1998: None
1997: Lawrence G. Pan, PT, PhD and Patricia A. Traynor, PT
1996: Marilyn R. Gossman, PT, PhD, FAPTA (D) and Donald Lang
1995: None
1994: James B. McKillip, PT
1993: Susan Collopy, PT and Fran Kern, PT, PhD
1992: None
1991: John HP Maley (D)
(D) Deceased
The Foundation is pleased to award the 2018 Premier Partner in Research Award to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA).
Over the years, the Foundation has presented this award to select organizations who have made generous and long-standing contributions critical to the success of the Foundation and its mission. To date, the FPTA has donated over $180,000 in support of physical therapy research. Florida was a lead supporter of the Foundation’s research study on “The Influence of Physical Therapy Referral Characteristics and Practices on Quality, Cost Effectiveness, and Utilization Patterns” and also generously contributed to the Center of Excellence for Health Services Research Campaign. The FPTA is a regular supporter of various annual Foundation events and fundraisers.
Past Recipients:
2017: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy
2016: DJO Global
2015: Neurology Section, APTA
2014: Private Practice Section – APTA
2013: APTA
2012: Pediatric Section – APTA
2011: Orthopaedic Section – APTA
2010: HPSO/CNA
2009: PREFERRED Therapy Providers, Inc.
2008: Tri W-G
The Foundation is pleased to award the 2018 Spirit of Philanthropy Award to Irene R. McEwen, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA.
Since 2005, this award has been presented annually to donors who exhibit enthusiastic support and dedication to the growth of the Foundation and its mission. McEwen’s unwavering dedication to the Foundation dates back to when she received a research grant in 1987 while pursuing her PhD in special education. She has since been an avid supporter of the Foundation’s mission to support physical therapy research. She is currently a member of the Foundation’s Legacy Society and most recently made a $250,000 gift to establish the McEwen Family Fund for School-Based Physical Therapy Research.
Past Recipients:
2017: Patricia A. Traynor, PT
2016: Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, DSc (hon), GCS, CSCS, CEEAA, FAPTA
2015: Lansdale and Gladys Clagett (posthumously)
2014: Magistro Family Foundation
2013: Jayne Snyder, PT, DPT, MA, FAPTA (posthumously)
2012: Not awarded
2011: Gary L. Soderburg, PT, PhD, FAPTA and his wife, Loretta Knutson, PT, PhD, PCS
2010: James B. McKillip, PT, FAPTA and Laura K. Smith, PT, PhD, FAPTA (posthumously)
2009: Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI)
2008: Larry Pan, PT, PhD
2007: Donald F. Lang, and Francis J. Mallon, Esq.
2006: Charles M. Magistro, PT, FAPTA
2005: Senator Robert Dole