Excellence in Clinical Practice Award: Jillian MacDonald, PT, DPT, NCS (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago)
Dr MacDonald demonstrates clinical excellence while providing evidence-based care to patients with neurologic dysfunction in the outpatient setting at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Her peers recognize her as a humble leader who delivers care with kindness, compassion, empathy, and patience. One colleague describes her as "an expert clinician who utilizes a variety of strategies such as evidence-based practice, critical thinking, experts, and unique resources in order to provide the utmost of care to her patients." Dr MacDonald continuously seeks opportunities for growth and development such as continuing education, research, and teaching to enhance her clinical skills.
Excellence in Education Award: J. J. Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS, C/NDT, CSRS, CEEAA (Nazareth College)
Dr Mowder-Tinney, a physical therapy faculty member at Nazareth College, demonstrates teaching and mentoring excellence across various platforms with a genuine passion that, as stated by her nominator, "surpasses all expectations of a typical professor." In the academic setting, she teaches neuromuscular management, an advanced elective with integrated pro-bono clinical education. She also lectures in nationwide continuing education seminars specific to stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, motor learning, and balance. She has peer reviewed publications investigating the professional development needs of clinical instructors and a more recent focus surrounding interprofessional education. Dr Mowder-Tinney disseminates her research at the local, state, and national levels but most notably at APTA Combined Sections Meetings (CSM). The positive impact Dr Mowder-Tinney has on her students, colleagues, and patients is far reaching and has been instrumental in supporting the growth of the physical therapy profession as a whole.
Excellence in Research Award: Jules DeWald, PT, PhD (Northwestern University)
Dr DeWald demonstrates excellence in research through his long-standing history of prolific impactful publications, history of extensive funding, and education/formation of future leaders in our field. He is the Director of the Neuroimaging and Motor Control Laboratory and also the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. A member of the Academy for more than 16 years, Dr DeWald's contributions to our understanding of motor control, particularly synergies in individuals poststroke, has had a significant impact on neurologic rehabilitation. As a researcher, Dr DeWald has studied mechanisms related to synergies in individuals poststroke for more than 20 years, employing his expertise in quantitative neurophysiology and engineering. His findings are disseminated nationally and internationally through more than 100 manuscripts and more than 100 scientific presentations.
Excellence in Service Award: Linda Csiza, PT, DSc (Texas Women's University)
Dr Linda Csiza epitomizes what it means to be a high contributor to our Academy. Since stepping into leadership roles more than a decade ago, Dr Csiza has been on the front lines of moving our profession forward. She has developed content to support clinical practice via her writing, supported the development of our profession as a whole through her roles within ABPTRFE, and advanced neurologic physical therapy specifically through her work as an item writer and leader within the Academy. Most recently, Dr Csiza served as treasurer and a member of the board of directors. Dr Csiza's positive contributions have impacted physical therapy management across many areas, including falls, multiple sclerosis, stroke, vestibular rehabilitation, and aquatics. Through this broad swath of participation and leadership, Dr Csiza has expanded both the reach and excellence of neurologic physical therapy practice.
Early Career Professional Awards: Alana Garcia, PT, DPT, NCS, CBIS (Spectrum Health)
Alana Garcia demonstrates a high level of intent for future involvement within the Academy on both local and national levels. As a new clinician, she currently serves as a clinical lead for Spectrum Health, establishing education modules and practicums on a variety of neurologic diagnoses. She is also ardently involved as a board member for the Brainy Day Trail Run Foundation. In addition to her efforts toward enhancing the level of care provided for individuals with neurologic disorders on US soil, Dr Garcia also participated in 2 international experiences in Uganda and Jamaica as a student. Within the past 5 years, Dr Garcia has served as a clinical instructor, as well as constructed a case report on an individual with Guillain-Barre syndrome to expand our evidence base. As a young professional, she demonstrates a level of both depth and breadth of involvement and passion for neurologic physical therapy worthy of commendation.
Bria Varner, PT, DPT, NCS (South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital)
Dr Bria Varner demonstrates a high level of interest for future involvement in leadership within the Academy. She is currently a physical therapist at South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital where she represents the company in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraiser as well as facilitating monthly journal clubs. She serves as an advisory board member at a local physical therapist assistant program at Kaplan College and is an avid blogger. Through her nomination letter, we learned that her colleagues find her "engaging, witty, and eager." She is looking forward to networking opportunities at CSM to connect with others within the academy, and we look forward to see where she will take lead in the future.
Student Research Awards for Most Exceptional Abstracts Submitted for Presentation at CSM 2017:
Kelly Hawkins, PT, DPT, NCS-Postprofessional student award
Title: Thinking About Walking: Functional Neuroimaging Demonstrates Increased Demand for Executive Control of Walking in Adults With Mobility Deficits
Advisor: Emily Fox, University of Florida
Robert Sykes, SPT-Professional student award
Title: Minimal Detectable Change for Gait Speed Is Dependent on Baseline Gait Speed in Individuals With Chronic Stroke
Advisor: Michael Lewek, UNC-Chapel Hill