Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching

2025 Award RecipientsPrevious Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching Recipients
Melissa Lazinski PT, DPT

and

Amanda Thomas, DPT
2024 Jeanine Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS
Laurie Neely, PT, DPT, EdD, BBA
2023 Martha Bloyer, PT, DPT
2022 Morris ‘Rick” Beato PT, DPT, GCS, NCS, CEEAA
2022 Kevin MacPherson PT, DPT
2021 Lisa Roberts, PT, DPT
2020 Bryon Smith, PT, DPT
2019 Carey Rothschild, PT, DPT
2018 Morey Kolber
2017 Gloria MIller,PT, PhD
2016 Jennifer Tucker, PT, DPT, PCS
2015 Mark Bishop, PT, PhD

The purpose of this award is to acknowledge and honor an educator for excellence in academic teaching.

  • Any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant FPTA member who has been actively engaged in teaching of PT and/or PTA students in formal education for at least 5 years.
  • Nominees must be academic educators and have a faculty appointment of any rank.
  • Fifty percent or more of their teaching must occur in an academic setting with at least 1 CAPTE-accredited PT or PTA programs, or advanced level programs for PTs (i.e. residency/fellowship).
  • Current FPTA Board of Directors members are not eligible for this award.
  • Teaching solely as a component of continuing education does not constitute eligibility for this award.

Nominees must have demonstrated:

  • Exceptional teaching effectiveness in an academic setting.
  • Excellence as a role model for academic teaching for students, faculty, and clinicians.
  • Distinct expertise in at least 1 subject area to which the teaching has been directed.

An award will be presented to the recipient at the FPTA Annual Conference Honors and Awards ceremony.

The following documents will be required for submission:

  • A letter of nomination from an FPTA member not to exceed 3 pages specifically focused on the strengths of the nominee in relation to the award criteria.
  • One letter of support not to exceed 2 pages from a colleague from the nominee’s academic institution.
  • One letter of support not to exceed 2 pages from a current or former student who completed at least one entire course taught by the nominee.
  • Curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee.
  • Submission Deadline: June 30th

Submit a Nomination

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