Awards

APTA Federal offers several awards to recognize outstanding achievement in physical therapy. These awards are for accomplishments in research, and innovation and PTA practice. Award recipients are recognized at the Annual Business Meeting held at CSM each year.  Nomination instructions are below.  Play a significant supporting role in helping your colleagues receive recognition for their achievements by nominating the person or persons you feel are most deserving of a APTA Federal Award.

APTA Federal Innovator Award
To recognize an individual for groundbreaking contributions to the field of Physical Therapy within the Federal Government.

Rationale: The Clinical Innovator Award recognizes APTA members who have developed pioneering contributions to the field of PT within the Federal Government. The recipient will demonstrate achievements in advanced care delivery, improved quality of care, and/or innovative research.

Criteria: To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Be a current member of the APTA
2. Be an advocate for Federal service
3. Have been involved in Federal practice for > 1 year
4. Demonstrate innovation and leadership in program planning, clinical practice, and/or research to PT within the Federal Government

Nomination Process:

Any current member of the APTA may nominate a candidate who meets the award criteria. Nomination packets should include:

1. One or more letters of nomination, addressed to the Federal PT Section Scholarship and Awards Committee, describing how and why the nominee meets the criteria.
2. A copy of the nominee’s current resume or CV
3. Submit the above as a PDF packet to [email protected]. Please do not send individual documents.

Download pdf file click here

APTA Federal Researcher Award

To recognize an individual for groundbreaking contributions in research for the field of Physical Therapy within the Federal Government.

Rationale:

The Researcher Award recognizes APTA members who have participated in pioneering research in the
field of PT within the Federal Government. The recipient will demonstrate achievements in advanced care delivery, improved quality of care, and innovative research.

Criteria:

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Be a current member of the APTA
2. Be an advocate for Federal service
3. Have been involved in Federal practice for > 1 year
4. Be the author (or coauthor) of a paper dealing with physical therapy research specific to the Federal service setting. This paper must have been published in a recognized journal (e.g.: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy, etc.) in the past two years. The Research Committee will evaluate nominated papers based upon clarity of writing, applicability of content to clinical Federal physical therapy, relevance of results, and potential impact on both physical therapy and other disciplines.

Nomination Process:

Any current member of the APTA may nominate a candidate who meets the award criteria. Nomination packets should include:

1. One or more letters of nomination, addressed to the Federal PT Section Scholarship and Awards Committee, describing how and why the nominee meets the criteria.
2. A copy of the nominee’s current resume or CV
3. One copy of the nominated author’s paper (with complete reference citation)
4. Submit the above as a PDF packet to [email protected]. Please do not send individual documents as separate files.

Download pdf file click here

PTA Outstanding Service Award

Established to recognize a federal physical therapist assistant who has provided clinical services for a minimum of 5 years. This award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the areas of patient care, community service, education, and commitment toward the profession and association.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current member in good standing of the APTA Federal of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
• Been engaged in providing clinical services for at least 5 years under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
• Current members of the awards committee are not eligible and may not nominate, write letters of support of endorse applicants for the award.
• Individuals may receive the award only once in a three (3) year period and only if the “outstanding” contributions are after the previous award.

Criteria:

• Professional contributions made to federal sector physical therapy services.
• Community services and activities that enhance the quality of life and function.
• Exemplifies and promotes the role of the Physical Therapist Assistant through education, practice, or research.
• Promotion of ethical standards and professional conduct among peers, patients, and students.
• Professional development through continuing education, courses, workshops, in-services, etc.
• Ability to inspire patients, peers, or students to perform at, or strive to achieve optimal potential.

Nomination Procedure:

1. Nomination form will be made available to the membership each year.
2. Nominations must be submitted to [email protected]
3. Nominations must include:

    • Name, address, and telephone (e-mail) of nominee
    • Present employment
    • Biographical data – can be in the form of CV.
    • Statement containing documentation of contributions and impact on physical therapy within the federal sector.
    • 2 letters of recommendation (addressed to APTA Federal Awards Committee) who can specifically address one or more of the criteria for selection, not to exceed 2 pages each.

4. Nomination must be submitted prior to published submission deadline.

Selection and Award:

1. Nominations will be reviewed by the Awards Committee.
2. Awards Committee will submit final recommendation to the Board of Directors for approval.
3. The award will be based on merit alone and the decision of the committee will be based on the documentation received in the nomination(s).
4. No more than one award will be granted yearly. This award will be granted only if nominees with contributions of truly outstanding character are submitted. Therefore, the award may not be given every year.
5. Selected award recipient will be notified promptly.
6. The award will be presented at the Annual APTA Meeting during the business meeting for the APTA Federal Chapter by the Section President.
7. The award will consist of $50, a one-year membership in APTA Federal and a plaque presented at the annual business meeting.

Download pdf file click here

APTA Federal CSM Scholarship

In addition to these awards, each year, APTA Federal offers scholarships to cover the cost of early bird registration for the virtual APTA Combined Sections Meeting for (2) qualified students interested in pursuing physical therapy careers within the federal government, (1) for a post-professional member and (1) for an early career section member.

  • Student Physical Therapist Scholarships (2)
    • Student must be a APTA Federal member.
    • Student must be a second or third year DPT student.
    • Student should be seriously considering federal employment upon graduation.
    • Student must submit the following to [email protected] as a PDF packet.
    • Brief statement (no more than 1 page) outlining why you wish to work as a federal PT.
    • Professional resume
    • 1 letter of recommendation from a PT or professor
  • Post professional Student Scholarship (1)
    • Student must be a APTA Federal member enrolled in a post professional graduate educational degree program or residency program for physical therapists.
    • Student should be seriously considering federal employment upon graduation.
    • Student must submit the following to [email protected] as a PDF packet.
    • Brief statement (no more than 1 page) outlining why you wish to work as a federal PT.
    • Professional resume
    • letter of recommendation from a professor/residency director
  • Early Career Member Scholarship (1)
    • Applicant must be a APTA Federal member.
    • Applicant must have graduated from a PT or PTA program no more than 5 years from Sept 1, 2023
    • Applicant must submit the following to [email protected]
    • Brief statement (no more than 1 page) outlining how attending CSM would enhance the applicant’s professional or clinical practice.

Submission Deadline: OCTOBER 10, 2024
Selection:  All applications will be submitted to the APTA Federal board of directors. Those with the most relevant qualifications will be selected and be notified via e-mail no later than October 10, 2024. Those selected will be reimbursed for their registration.


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