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The APTA Humanitarian Award recognizes an association member whose demonstrated leadership and outstanding humanitarian volunteerism have improved the quality of life of individuals throughout the world.
This award specifically rewards individuals who embody and apply the compassionate nature of the physical therapy profession by actively expressing a commitment to humanity and exhibiting admirable degrees of selflessness in their efforts to address key health concerns.
Established in 2017, the APTA Humanitarian Award contributes to the association's mission of advancing physical therapy by recognizing member efforts that focus on achieving a broad global impact upon humanity.
Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must be physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who are current members in good standing of the association.
Criteria for Selection
Nominees must demonstrate:
- Extraordinary humanitarian services and volunteerism
- Activities that exemplify the advancement of physical therapy
- Sustainable activities that benefit humanity and demonstrate advocacy for promoting a greater quality of life and expansive reach
A strong application should demonstrate the following:
- Extraordinary humanitarian services and volunteerism that help improve the quality of life for individuals worldwide (e.g., activities that positively impacted the quality of life for groups, such as survivors and/or victims after a significant event or a community in which political, economic, social, or other circumstances have caused movement impairments).
Activities that exemplify the advancement of physical therapy (i.e., core value and compassionate nature of physical therapy while actively addressing major global health concerns).
Sustainable activities that benefit humanity and demonstrate advocacy for promoting greater quality of life and expansive reach:
- Activities that are sustainable and that benefit humanity
- Activities that are documented and/or implemented through at least two channels (e.g., publications, provision of services, programs).
- Details and record of activities that span across at least one year prior to the nomination submission.
Support statements that are positive, cite specific examples of professional accomplishments, and provide additional information on depth, scope, and quality in a convincing manner.
What Recipients Receive
An award will be presented to the recipient by APTA’s Board of Directors at an APTA national event, and an official announcement will appear in an association publication.
Submission Requirements
Nomination or self-nomination statements must be submitted to begin the process.
The following must be submitted by the nominee:
- Current curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee
- Completed online application
- Two support statements obtained from the following:
- Individuals other than the nominator that detail how the nominee meets at least two of the award criteria as described above
Submit a Nomination
The nominations call for the Honors & Awards Program is open from Sept. 1 to Dec. 1. Nominations must be submitted through our online platform by Dec. 1; late submissions will not be considered. Selected recipients and their nominators will be notified in May.
Additional Resources
If you have questions about the nomination process or the award, contact APTA Honors & Awards.