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The Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award acknowledges and honors a physical therapist who has made sustained and outstanding leadership contributions at the component, national, international, or community levels that have had an impact upon the advancement of the physical therapy profession.
Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must be physical therapists who are current members in good standing of the association.
Self, peer, and posthumous nominations are accepted for this award.
Criteria for Selection
Nominees must demonstrate:
- Significant leadership that has had a lasting impact on the development and progression of the physical therapy profession.
- Leadership contributions that were sustained and continuous over a 15-year period or more.
- Contributions leading to a measurable change, revitalization of an idea resulting in change, or creation of an opportunity for change within the physical therapy profession.
- Exceptional leadership ability within the physical therapy profession through service to their local community, to APTA and its components, or to international physical therapy associations, through elected or appointed groups, elected or appointed positions, or other volunteer capacities.
- Recognition by peers for their service and contributions to the physical therapy profession and association.
A strong application should demonstrate the following:
Significant leadership that has had a lasting impact on the development and progression of the physical therapy profession.
- Sustained and continuous positive leadership contributions
- Leadership that has had a lasting impact on the physical therapy profession
- Leadership roles that have had a lasting impact on the association
- Continuous leadership roles at both the chapter and national levels related to physical therapy regulatory issues
- Exhibited leadership contributions that were sustained and continuous over a 15-year period or more
- Leadership contributions of an exceptional value to the association and to the physical therapy profession
- Leadership involvement at various levels within the association.
Leadership contributions that were sustained and continuous over a 15-year period or more.
- Contributions leading to measurable change within the physical therapy profession
- Leadership roles leading the revitalization of an idea resulting in change
- Creation of an opportunity for change within the physical therapy profession
Exceptional leadership ability within the physical therapy profession. through service to their local community, to APTA and its components, or to international physical therapy associations, through elected or appointed groups, elected or appointed positions, or other volunteer capacities.
- Service to local community
- Service to APTA
- Service to APTA components
- Service to international physical therapy associations
Recognition by peers for service and contributions to the physical therapy profession and association.
Support statements that are positive, cite specific examples of professional accomplishments, and provide additional information on depth, scope, and quality in a convincing manner.
Submission Requirements
The nominator must submit a nomination statement (nomination statements are 300-words) to begin the process.
The nominee is responsible for the following:
- Submitting a current curriculum vitae or resume
- Completing an online application (application questions are 500-words)
- Requesting two support statements (support statements are 300-words) obtained from the following:
- Individuals who can specifically address one or more of the criteria for selection
Guide to Submitting a Nomination
Follow the five steps below to submit your nomination.

Review our step-by-step guide for more information about the nomination process review our guide to submitting a nomination.
The nominations call for the Honors & Awards Program is open from Sept. 1 to Dec. 1. Nominations must be submitted through APTA Achieve by Dec. 1; late submissions will not be considered. Selected recipients and their nominators will be notified in May.
If you have questions about the nomination process or the award, contact APTA Honors & Awards.