Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award

The Outstanding CI Award honors a CI who has demonstrated a consistent, exemplary commitment to education. Recipients must be a member of the FPTA, a credentialed clinical instructor, and may be nominated by a SCCE, DCE or PT/PTA Student. This award provides a $300 honorarium and is presented at the FPTA Annual Conference and Assembly of Representatives. Nominations submitted by students are due to their DCE by May 15, all others are due by June 30.

2024 Outstanding Clinical Instructor

Each recipient received a plaque and a $300 honorarium.

2024 Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award Winner – Christopher Thurston, PT, DPT

Christopher “Chris” Thurston, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist practicing primarily in outpatient orthopedics. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) and holds board certification as an orthopaedic clinical specialist from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).

Dr. Thurston is a clinician at the University of Miami, where he has a role in clinical education at both the graduate and residency levels. His commitment to advancing education in the field extends to his role as a clinical fellowship instructor with ASPIRE OMT, and he is actively involved with the APTA’s Orthopaedic Residency/Fellowship Special Interest Group, where he serves on the nominating committee.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Thurston is deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of physical therapists. He serves as a clinical instructor for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and mentors fellows in-training. He regularly teaches and assists with postgraduate continuing education courses, further contributing to the professional development of physical therapists. As a senior clinician, Dr. Thurston mentors new graduates both formally and informally on a weekly basis, providing guidance in areas such as orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, and vestibular/concussion rehabilitation.