Excellence in Education

To acknowledge an individual who has made significant contributions in the area of sports physical therapy education through excellence in academic teaching.

Eligibility

• Nominee must be a physical therapist who is a current Academy member in good standing.
• Nominee must be actively engaged in teaching physical therapist students in the area of sports physical therapy (entry or advanced level) for at least five years.
• Nominees must have a faculty appointment of any rank and receive compensation for their teaching responsibilities.
• Teaching solely as a component of continuing education does not constitute eligibility for this award.
• Members of the Academy Executive Committee and the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy Awards Committee shall not be eligible for the award during their terms of office.
• A person can receive this award only once.

Selection Criteria

• Exceptional teaching effectiveness in the academic setting.
• Distinct expertise in the specialty of sports physical therapy and commitment as a mentor or role model within the area.
• Utilization of talents in a wide variety of publications.
• Academic preparation for faculty position as evidenced by degree and/or specialty certification.
• Service to the AASPT through volunteerism by serving in a wide variety of roles (elected and appointed).
• Participation in activities that foster and promote the practice of sports physical therapy, including clinical practice.

Nomination Procedure

• Any member of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy may nominate candidates for the award.
• A maximum of one (1) award will be given in any year.
• Nominations must be submitted electronically and include only the following materials:
  • Completed online nomination form;
  • Current and complete curriculum vitae of the nominee;
  • Letter of support from person nominating the member not to exceed two pages including the reasons for the nomination; and,
  • Letters from two (2) individuals who can specifically address one or more of the criteria for selection, not to exceed two (2) pages. One should be from a physical therapist colleague and one from a current or former student/resident of the nominee.
• Please have all materials completed and collected when completing the award application. There is no way to save applications in-process so please ensure you have all materials compiled before starting the application.

Notification of the Award

• The Awards Team Coordinator will notify the recipient of the award and obtain written confirmation of acceptance.
• The name of the recipient will be kept confidential until announced.

Past Recipients

2003    Josef Moore

2004    Bob Bruzga

2005    Tara Jo Manal

2006    Barb Hoogenboom

2007    Rob Manske

2008    Mark Reinking

2009    Mike Voight

2010    Therese Chmielewski

2011    Mitch Rauh

2013    Mark Anderson

2015    Terry Grindstaff

2016    Luis Feigenbaum

2017    John DeWitt

2018    David Logerstedt

2019    Michael Tamburello

2020    Shefali Christopher

2021    Casey Unverzagt

2022    Patrick Pabian