Former APTA Board Member Barbara Melzer Dies
Barbara Melzer,
PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, a clinician and educator for 38 years who held numerous
national and state positions within APTA, died February 17. She had acute pneumonia that activated
interstitial lung disease, a condition she was diagnosed with 7 years ago.
Melzer served on
APTA's Board of Directors as director (1987-1992) and secretary (1992-1995), and on
the Executive Committee (1991-1995). She also was a member of the Nominating
Committee (2003-2006), serving as chair for 1 year (2005-2006). Most recently,
she was member of APTA's House of Delegates (2007-present).
A member of the
Education Section since 1976, Melzer served in numerous roles, including vice
president (2000-2004). She was a coeditor of A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education, Version 2000. In 2003, Melzer was named
a Catherine Worthingham Fellow, APTA's highest honor.
She also held
many positions at the state level. She served as president of the Texas Chapter
(1983-1984) and as chief delegate (2000-2003). She was a member of a variety of
chapter committees, including conference planning, bylaws, and educational
affairs.
Melzer
was professor at Texas State University and director of clinical education. She
represented the School of Health Professions on the Faculty Senate and was a
multiple winner of the Texas State University Presidential Award for
Service.
"Through
the incredible span of her service and lengthy list of accomplishments, she has
impacted the profession in ways no words can accurately capture," Eric
Robertson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, wrote in a tribute to Melzer.