Catherine Worthingham Fellow Phil Tygiel Dies at 77

Philip "Phil" Paul Tygiel, PT, FAPTA, passed away on May 20 at age 77. Tygiel served as a delegate in the APTA House of Delegates for several terms and was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA's highest member category.

Born in 1947, Tygiel graduated from the New York University School of Physical Therapy and later earned his certification in manual therapy from the University of St. Augustine. He established Tygiel Physical Therapy in Tucson, Arizona, where he practiced for 38 years, specializing in orthopedic manual therapy.

Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.

Create a free account Log in

You Might Also Like...

Article

Federal Grant Rule Could Reshape Physical Therapy Research, Education, and Care

A proposed rule that would reshape how federal grants are awarded across nearly every federal agency could threaten the physical therapy profession's capacity

Article

Physical Therapy Education Applicant Numbers Reach Record in 2025–2026 Cycle

Interest in physical therapy careers remains strong, with the number of applicants to Doctor of Physical Therapy programs reaching a record high in the

Article

Continuing the Fight: APTA Advances Medicare Payment Reform

Advocacy continues for meaningful Medicare payment reform as APTA advances a coordinated strategy across Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid