Leslie Portney, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, retired following a distinguished career of 50 years in physical therapy, more than half spent as a member of the faculty at the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Leslie’s impact on the Institute has been profound, having served as the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and the Inaugural Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). In that capacity, she expanded SHRS to 600 students and more than 60 faculty, from just two programs, Physical Therapy and Communications and Disorders, to now six programs, including Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy, a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, and Genetic Counseling.
One of her most substantial contributions was as a leader in interprofessional education, establishing a strong integrated approach across programs at the Institute, and academic-practice partnerships that have served as models both nationally and internationally.
Leslie has also been a remarkable leader in the American Physical Therapy Association, serving as the inaugural president of American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), the chair of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and being honored as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA. Her commitment, energy and steadfast vision have provided many opportunities for the physical therapy profession to grow, and for the educational community to move forward.