Excellence in Neurologic Education Award: Lois Hedman, PT, DScPT, MS
Dr Lois Hedman demonstrates excellence in education as a longtime educator in the neurologic physical therapy and neuroscience curriculum at Northwestern University. As a leader in the field of education, she epitomizes the APTA vision statement "Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve human experience." Dr Hedman continues to lead the way with development of frameworks for motor control and movement analysis and movement system diagnoses with her leadership on the Movement System Task Force of the ANPT. Her involvement as a collaborator in producing the "Compendium for Teaching Professional Level Physical Therapy Neurologic Content" and development of the "Neurologic Practice Essentials" is impressive, also developing continuing education programming related to the content. The impact of Dr Hedman's educational contributions and clinical decision making in neurologic physical therapy is profound, making her most deserving of this award.
Excellence in Neurologic Research Award: Catherine Lang, PT, PhD
Dr Catherine Lang has earned the designation of Professor at Washington University in the Program of Physical Therapy, the Program of Occupational Therapy, and the Department of Neurology. She has established herself as a productive research scientist within the realm of stroke rehabilitation with more than 100 peer-reviewed publications that were cited 4974 times with an impressive h-index of 36 and i10 index = 73 at the time of this award nomination. Since 2005, she has received continuous NIH funding and currently has 2 R01 grants for which she is the PI. Her letters of recommendation highlight her contributions to an international "think tank" that aims to develop an algorithm for upper extremity stroke rehabilitation and her clinical and research venture to develop stroke rehabilitation standardization across the health care spectrum.
PT Clinical Excellence in Neurologic Physical Therapy Award: Amber Walter, PT, DPT, NCS
Dr Amber Walter demonstrates clinical excellence while providing evidence-based care in the neurologic-based outpatient setting of Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers in Mechanicsville, Virginia. She has made a significant impact in a variety of roles and across multiple patient populations with neurologic impairment. Her reach extends from PTA program involvement to state and national advocacy in addition to the considerable clinical impact she has within her organization. Through her current position as a knowledge broker and via her past roles as a clinical practice guideline developer and career development specialist, Dr Walter has clearly been a valuable asset to Sheltering Arms and to the patients they serve. The letters of support for Dr Walter attested to her contributions within an organizational culture designed to help populations with neurologic compromise thrive. Her work in outcome measure adoption and technology implementation has influenced the practice of staff therapists and neurologic residents.
Service to the Academy Award: Anne Galgon, PT, PhD, NCS
Dr Anne Galgon has demonstrated a high level of service in regard to her contributions to the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the profession as a whole. Dr Galgon is a committed leader in the vestibular special interest group. She has rose in the ranks starting as vice chair and to chairman, a position that she currently holds. She has been instrumental in nurturing the educational development of the special interest group members, for example, implementing and improving the "Abstract of the Week" and "Dizzy Pub Fare" publications. Dr Galgon's impact has far-reaching applications as well on national and international levels. She has been a part of developing the very first Vestibular Practice Guidelines and has been actively involved in the development of canalith repositioning treatment coding for reimbursement. On an international level, she is a lead member of the Conference Planning Committee for the inaugural International Vestibular meeting to be held in Chicago in 2018.
Early Career Professional Award (4 awardees) Allison Miller, PT, DPT, NCS
Already a faculty member at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Allison exemplifies all the qualities to be desired in an early career professional. She is involved not only on the local level with CT APTA but also in 2 SIGs (vestibular and brain injury), through which she has proctored journal clubs and participated in educational projects. Furthermore, she is involved in in the development of the Clinical Practice Guideline for Locomotor Retraining, a feat even not accomplished by many seasoned clinicians.
Lauren Pacho, PT, DPT, NCS, CSCS
Through her clinical, service, and educational endeavors, Lauren has made impressive contributions. Her extensive service through legislative advocacy with the FPTA to modernize the practice act demonstrates her drive and dedicates to the field. This commitment is further exemplified in her pro bono locomotor training clinic, of which she garners student involvement to provide services that are otherwise unobtainable for members of her community.
Bryant Seamon, PT, DPT, NCS, CSCS
Currently an adjunct faculty member at South College, Bryant serves as an item writer for the NCS examination. His dedication to Department of Veterans Affairs and serving undeserved populations is evident through his extensive role in the development of telehealth communications program. We feel that through his evidence-based focus, he will be an up-and-coming researcher in terms of translation of knowledge into clinical practice and public works programs and is extensively deserving of this award.
Robert Hand, PT, DPT, NCS, CSCS
As a knowledge broker for the translation of knowledge within the Sheltering Arms Parkinson's disease Program, Robert Hand's application was very impressive. His efforts on a service and advocacy level are impressive for any professional, novice, or expert. He has multiple clinical certifications, demonstrating his connection to clinical practice on personal and professional levels. It is evident that Robert is an individual with the enthusiasm and drive to propel the field forward into the future.
Student Research Awards for Most Exceptional Abstracts Presented at CSM 2018
Post-professional student award
Eber Beck
Abstract title: Cognitive assessment in Paitetns with Diabetes Mellitus: a retrospective review
Mentor: Marcio Santos, PT, PhD
University of Kansas Medical Center.
Professional student award
Cameron Blanton
Abstract title: The effect of aging on brain activity during different visual sensory integration balance conditions- a functional near-infrared spectrometry study
Mentor: Dr. Chi-Cheng (James) Lin, PT, PhD
East Carolina University