Annual Meeting
Celebrating the Profession at the 2021 Awards Ceremony and Member Meeting The annual Awards Ceremony and Member Meeting looked and felt a little different this year due to the circumstances of the pandemic, but it was no less a celebration of the accomplishments of our members and the profession of physical therapy. While we weren’t able to see each other in person, it was still important to recognize our peers and the excellence they bring to our profession. The following professional, research and student award winners were recognized as part of the virtual broadcast on February 24. Carole B. Lewis Lecture Dr. William Staples, PT, DPT, DHSc will present the Carole B. Lewis Lecture at the Combined Sections Meeting in 2022, in San Antonio. We are looking forward to another engaging and inspiring Lewis Lecture by Bill next year. President’s Award The President’s Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service while fostering the mission of the Academy. The President relies on support, advice, dedication and enthusiasm from others committed to advancing the goals of the Academy and this year’s winners of the President’s award have generously contributed their time and talent in many ways. The first of two President’s Awards was presented to the members of the APTA Geriatrics Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, co-chaired by doctors Talina Corvus, PT, DPT, PhD and Stephanie Long, PT, DPT. The group’s work and findings will inform and guide our association for years to come. This work is among the most important accomplishments achieved by the Academy in 2020. Other members of the task force are Roslyn Burton, PT, DPT; Howard Eisenberg, PT; Adrianna L. Ellis, PT, DPT; Kevin Hazel, SPTA; Rubye Kendrick, PT, MS; and Anandbabu Ramadass, PT, DPT, MPT
GeriNotes • March 2021 • Vol. 28 No. 2
The second recipient of the President’s Award was Rolando Lazaro, PT, DPT, PhD. Rolando dedicated countless hours coordinating webinars offered by APTA Geriatrics. In 2020, this meant a massive shift toward online and virtual education. Rolando’s efforts resulted in the largest reach and impact our webinars have ever had in the history of the academy. His organization and ability to move quickly enabled us to be nimble in an evolving environment. His work has set the stage for continued successes with webinars and virtual learning now and in the future. Joan M. Mills Award The Joan M. Mills Award is the most significant recognition that the academy gives to one of its members. This prestigious award was initiated in 1980 and named for the academy’s founder. The award recognizes a member who has demonstrated, over many years, a high level of competence in meeting the needs of the academy. Joan gave generously, unselfishly, and creatively of her service to the academy. And through her innumerable contributions, she helped shape us into the dynamic organization we are today. During her six-year tenure as Treasurer of APTA Geriatrics, the recipient of this year's Joan M. Mills Award, Kate Brewer, PT, MPT, MBA provided sage advice and practical guidance in decision-making. She also oversaw the financial operations of the organization through substantial challenges, including a pandemic no one could have anticipated. Kate’s level-headed stewardship has served our board and your Academy well. Adopt-a-Doc Award The Adopt-a-Doc Award recognizes outstanding doctoral students committed to geriatric physical therapy. The purpose is to provide support to doctoral students interested in pursuing faculty positions in physical therapy education and facilitate the completion of the doctoral degree within an area of study relevant to geriatric physical therapy. The two recipients of this year’s award were Jeremy Graber, PT, DPT and Valerie Shuman, PT, DPT.
6
