Celebrating 35 years of physical therapy research, the Foundation for Physical Therapy used its annual gala, held June 12, to recognize leaders who have significantly supported physical therapy research, including distinguished colleagues as well as students at colleges and universities from across the country.
The Foundation presented its 2014 Service Awards to the following recipients:
Innovation in Fundraising Award: The Illinois Physical Therapy Association's Student Special Interest Group linked students across the state via its first annual student-led banquet. The “We're All in This Together”-themed event, part of the Miami-Marquette Challenge, attracted more than 200 students from 8 Illinois physical therapy education programs.
Premier Partner in Research Award: The Private Practice Section, American Physical Therapy Association, has contributed an estimated $300,000 over the past 10 years, including $120,000 for the new Center of Excellence for health services and health policy research. The section also led support of a Foundation referral-for-profit study and has advocated for the Foundation to foster additional support for its initiatives.
Charles M. Magistro Distinguished Service Award: Alan M. Jette PT, PhD, FAPTA, is chair of the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee, where he has served as a member since 2007. Instrumental in the inception and development of the Foundation's scholarship, fellowship, and grant programs throughout the years, Jette conceptualized the New Investigator Fellowship Training Initiative–Health Services Research (NIFTI-HSR) opportunity. He also has served as an ad hoc Scientific Review Committee member.
Spirit of Philanthropy Award: Through the Magistro Family Foundation, Charles M. Magistro, PT, DrSci (Hon), DPT (Hon), FAPTA, and his family have continuously supported the Foundation financially—the Magistro Family Foundation Endowment Fund now exceeds $2 million. In 2013, Magistro directed $100,000 from the endowment to support the Foundation's Center of Excellence campaign.
HPSO/CNA, the Foundation's Gold Level Partner, was the gala's title sponsor for the 14th consecutive year. Additional sponsors include Silver Level Partner NuStep as producer sponsor; Platinum Level Partner Tri W-G as dessert sponsor; and Today in PT as the paparazzi and entertainment sponsor.
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