PARIS AND PATLA BREAK RECORD WITH LARGEST DONATION IN FOUNDATION FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY RESEARCH HISTORY

ALEXANDRIA, VA (June 22, 2017) – A $3 million gift to the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research marks the largest donation to the Foundation in its 38-year history.

Stanley Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FAAOMPT, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and his wife Catherine Patla’s, PT, DHSc, MS, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT, contribution will be used to create an endowment for clinical research funding. The couple made the announcement at the Foundation’s Boston PT Party on June 22^nd during the American Physical Therapy Association’s NEXT Conference.

This investment will help transform the physical therapy profession and strengthen the Foundation’s ability to fund impactful physical therapy research today and in the future. This isn’t the first substantial gift to the Foundation from Dr. Paris and Dr. Patla. They also contributed $500,000 in 2014 which was matched by Laureate Education, Inc. for a $1 million contribution to fund research on the outcomes of physical therapy.

“The Foundation has worked tirelessly to build up a strong cadre of physical therapist researchers, “Paris said. “We support physical therapy research because it is critical to our profession’s ongoing health.”Patla remarked. “We want to sustain the Foundation’s work for generations to come.”

During his career, Dr. Paris has been involved in research, clinical practice, and teaching in the area of orthopedic and manual physical therapy, with a focus on the spine. He is the founder and Chancellor Emeritus of the University of St. Augustine. He has published more than 40 articles in physical therapy, medical, and osteopathic journals, as well as a book titled, “The Spinal Lesion.”  He is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the World Confederation for Physical Therapy’s 2011 Mildred Elson Award, the top honor in physical therapy.

Dr. Patla has served as a faculty member of the University of St. Augustine since its founding. She was dean of professional education from 2011–2014 and director of the residency and fellowship programs from 2010–2013, among many other contributions. She published two chapters in the Manual of Physical Therapy (Churchill Livingstone, 1989) and has written numerous course manuals, including home study courses for the Institute of Graduate Physical Therapy.  She was President of the Florida chapter from 2007-2009 and has received many honors and awards, including the 2017 Lucy Blair service award from APTA.

“This generous gift will transform the Foundation’s ability to fund clinical research at a higher level, providing significant and ongoing support for research that forms the basis of physical therapist practice,” said Foundation President, Edelle Field-Fote, PT, PhD, FAPTA. “This contribution surpasses any the Foundation has ever received in support of its scientific program. We are honored by the confidence that Dr. Paris and Dr. Patla have placed in us by recognizing and rewarding the exceptional work we do to support investigators in the field of physical therapy.”

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research 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.

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