Physical Therapy Awards

Physical Therapy Hooding Ceremony Awards

The following awards are presented at the Department of Physical Therapy Program Celebration and Award Ceremony to students and faculty. Also on the page please find faculty members who have received American Physical Therapy Association awards.

Students

Marjorie K. Ionta Award for Clinical Excellence: Professional

The Marjorie K. Ionta Fund was founded in 1981 to honor Marjorie Ionta, who served as Chief Physical Therapist in the Department of Physical Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital from 1958 to 1981.

The overall purpose of the fund is to promote excellence in physical therapy practice by supporting physical therapists who are engaged in special projects and professional development activities of joint interest to the Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions and Physical Therapy Services at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The award goes to students who have demonstrated growth and a consistent, excellent performance coupled with outstanding humanistic qualities.

Previous Winners:

2024 - Alyssa Legarreta
2024 - Kayla Elizabeth Ucciferri
2023 – Kristen L. Lucht
2023 – Corey Alexander Green
2022 – Hannah Michelle Weighart
2022 – Polina Aleksandrovna Volgunina
2022 – Kate Marie Gragnolati
2021 – Fayola Oni Etienne
2020 – Sidney Maribel Argueta
2020 – Yasaman Zarbafian
2019 – Maria Margarida Guerra Larson
2018 – Elizabeth A. Ryan (EL)
2018 – William Andres Santana (EL)
2017 – Amanda Kathleen Barry (EL)
2017 – Margaret Elizabeth Reiss (EL)
2017 – Kinga Hum (PP)
2016 – Shannon Elliott Moore (EL)
2016 – Menghsiu Wu (PP)
2015 – Murray Alan Cohen, Jr. (EL)
2015 – Fatema Z. Kanchwala (PP)
2014 – Saloni N. Raje (PP)
2014 – Daniel Mark Kelleher (EL)
2013 – Tricia Andrea Carmen Pinto (PP)
2013 – Eli Cole-Epstein (EL)
2012 – Derek Christopher Sople (EL)
2012 – Alla'a A. Hassan (PP)
2011 – Nidhi Shah (PP)
2011 – Katherine Rose Sloan (EL)
2010 – Tara McCrystal (EL)
2010 – Dilshad Farheen Sulaiman (PP)
2009 – Ritu Kunal Chhabriya (PP)
2009 – Minhee Throneburg (EL)
2008 – Ruchita Vora (PP)
2008 – Matthew David Gallagher (EL)
2007 – Jennifer Neufeld Cohen (EL)
2007 – Elena Virginia Maugere DiMarco (PP)
2006 – Hiroyasu Sughihara (EL)
2006 – Catherine B. Theriault (PP)
2005 – Rebecca Ann Schiller (EL)
2005 – Maria Cymara Pessoa Kuehner (PP)
2004 – Yen Lien Tran (EL)
2004 – Michelle Elizabeth Collie (PP)
2003 – Keshrie Naidoo
2002 – Rebecca Bridget Schromm
2002 – Janine Hatch
2001 – Reginald Wilcox
2001 – Tracy Lynn Michalek
2000 – Ya-Ling Lia
2000 – Sarah Lynn Clancy
2000 – Gina Marie DeGeorge
1999 – Lynn A. White
1999 – Amee L. Seitz
1998 – Carrie Minahan
1998 – Kristina Haas
1997 – Anne McCarthy Jacobson
1997 – Denis Andreotti
1997 – Amy Kirby
1996 – David Marcham
1995 – Mara Wernick
1994 – Bradley K. Kaya
1993 – Kathleen Pierce
1992 – Caroline Drye
1991 – Donna Wolf Behr
1990 – Rita Kishinchandani Popat
1989 – Elizabeth Ikeda
1989 – Kim Crealy Rouillier
1988 – Star Bastian
1987 – Marie Magliozzi Giorgetti

Adams Fellow Award: Professional

First awarded in 1990, The Adams Fund, created by Barbara Adams in 1986, was established to offer financial support for graduate education for physical therapists at the Institute. This award is given to students who show evidence of leadership abilities, service to the profession, and the potential to make a significant contribution as a clinical scholar.

Previous Winners:

2024 - Amber Asbury
2024 - Adriana Josephine Santoro
2024 - Shoshana Margalit Weiner
2023 – Megan Elizabeth Vega
2022 – Wunghee Christina Lee
2021 – Kamaria A’Brenay Washington
2021 – Rachel Privett
2002 – Rebecca Stephenson
2001 – Leah Nowak
2001 – Kelly O’Donaughy
2000 – Laura Plummer
2000 – Alysia Elizabeth Larson
1999 – Roya Ghazinouri
1999 – Rosemarie Gagon
1998 – Teresa L. Drown
1998 – Ross O. Davis
1997 – Melissa Roberto
1996 – Kristina Baumert
1996 – David Barlow
1995 – Christine Danis
1995 – Dale Flaherty
1994 – Claire Gouthro Robins
1994 – Nancy St. Onge
1993 – Viswa Sagar
1993 – David Marcham
1993 – Elizabeth Ratcliffe
1992 – Michelle Betti
1992 – Liz Falcone
1991 – Nancy St. Onge
1991 – Diane Plante
1990 – Melinda Adam
1990 – Deborah Givens
1990 – Joanne Gordon
1990 – Ann Huffman
1990 – Elizabeth Ikeda
1990 – Elizabeth Johnson
1990 – Paula Mastriani
1990 – Mary Stigge
1990 – Adrienne Trombly
1990 – Kristen Woodman
1997 – James Ruetenik
2020 – Jeffrey Fuqua Kerbel
2019 – Danielle Marie Nardi (EL)
2019 – Emmanuel Kwabena Acheampong, Jr. (EL)
2018 – Valerie Mariel Rucker (EL)
2017 – Kristin Michelle Smith(EL)
2017 – Rhea Rajesh Parekh (PP)
2016 – Christina Marie Parr (EL)
2016 – Olufisayo O. Makinde (PP)
2015 – Elizabeth J. Nelson (EL)
2015 – Hameed Adebola Adewole (PP)
2014 – Noam Y. Segal (PP)
2014 – Jeffrey Paul Faulring (EL)
2013 – Mitali Vyas (PP)
2013 – John Thomas Barry (EL)
2012 – Vanessa M. Kennedy (EL)
2012 – Jigisha C. Parekh (PP)
2011 – Jessica L. Guilbert (EL)
2011 – Bhushan Thakkar (PP)
2010 – Hetal S. Kulkarni (PP)
2010 – Eric Richard Smith (EL)
2009 – Laura Suzanne Little (EL)
2009 – Lamia H. Alzayer (PP)
2008 – Nileshkumar Rameshbhai Patel (PP)
2008 – Laura Ruth Doskocil (EL)
2007 – Madhuri K. Kale (PP)
2007 – Jillian L. Rockoff (EL)
2006 – Nidhi V. Chudasama (PP)
2006 – Michael W. Deegan (EL)
2005 – Srivara Reddy Kotha (PP)
2005 – Andrea Marie Graffeo (EL)
2004 – Sarah Jeanne McDonnell (EL)
2004 – David C. Nolan (PP)
2003 – Ronita Vas Bhat
2002 – Dylan Patrick Hogan

Mary Mankin Prize

First awarded in 1992, The Mary Mankin Prize is awarded to a Doctor of Physical Therapy student who demonstrates significant potential as a clinical scholar and the ability to make a contribution to the physical therapy evidence that supports optimal patient care.

Previous Winners:

2024 - Yuchao Wang
2023 – Hargun Khanna
2022 – Brandon J. Ong
2022 – Allison E. Triola
2021 – Matthew Picard-Frasier
2020 - Daniel Matthew Humphrey
2020 - Brittani Morris
2019 - Maxwell Cutty
2018 – Genevieve Jacquelyne Brock
2018 – Christine Erica Larson
2018 – Johanna Erling Spangler
2017 – Kevin Michael McEnroy
2016 – No award was given this year
2015 – Lauren Elizabeth Slipp
2014 – Saloni N. Raje
2014 – Sayali S. Shrotri
2013 – Renu Narayanan
2012 – Sowmya Sridhar
2011 – Beatrice Giurlani
2010 – Ankita Choksi
2009 – Lamia H. Alzayer
2008 – Saima Nabi
2007 – Mei-Chun Wu
2006 – Reginald B. Wilcox, III
2005 – Poonam Pardasaney
2004 – Ronita Vas Bhat
2003 – Janine Hatch
2002 – Heather Hayden
2001 – Yu-Chou Shen
2000 – Dhara H. Kothari
1999 – Nora M. Gilligan-Havens
1998 – Redha Bahman Dashti
1997 – Kathleen A. Pierce
1996 – Jacqueline Canaan
1995 – Donna Wolf Behr
1994 – Michelle Betti Gardner
1993 – Angelique Dirkes
1992 – Diane Plante

Clinical Educators

Outstanding Clinical Educator Award

First awarded in 2008, this award honors a physical therapy clinical educator who serves as an exceptional role model of professionalism and clinical excellence and has made significant contributions to clinical education. The award recognizes outstanding communication and teaching skills that foster clinical learning and evidence-based decision-making in physical therapy students.

Previous Winners:

2024 - Emily Smith-Sturr
2023 – Debra Clooney
2022 – Ana Sanchez Junkin
2021 – Leigh de Chaves
2020 – Rosemarie R. O’Connor
2019 – Tom Thoman
2018 – Elizabeth M. Sims
2017 – Leah Jensen
2016 – Julie A. Koskey
2015 – Lynn Krisko
2014 – Karen M. Weber
2013 – Joan Drevins
2012 – Jennifer L. Connors
2011 – Keshrie Naidoo
2010 – Joel Fallano
2009 – Deborah Couture
2008 – Ann R. Jampel

APTA Excellence in Academic Teaching

Dorothy E. Baethke - Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching

Pamela K. Levangie, PT, DSc, DPT, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Pamela K. Levangie, PT, DSc, DPT, FAPTA

pklevangie@mghihp.edu

Mary P Watkins, DPT, MS

Associate Professor Emerita, Physical Therapy

Mary P Watkins, DPT, MS

Nancy T Watts, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Professor Emerita, Physical Therapy In memoriam

Nancy T Watts, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Lucy Blair Service Award

APTA

Cynthia Zadai, PT, DPT, CCS, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Cynthia Zadai, PT, DPT, CCS, FAPTA

czadai@mghihp.edu

Jane Baldwin, PT, DPT, NCS

Assistant Professor Director of Student Support and Activities Physical Therapy Coordinator, Marjorie Ionta Physical Therapy Center for Clinical Education

Jane Baldwin, PT, DPT, NCS

jbaldwin@mghihp.edu
(617) 724-2230
B39- 272

Catherine Worthingham Fellows of the APTA

Catherine Worthingham Fellows have demonstrated excellence in a primary domain of research, education, practice, or advocacy with translation of contributions and achievements across the other domains; achieved national recognition, inside and outside the physical therapy profession, regarding the impact achieved in the primary domain of research, education, practice, or advocacy; and have demonstrated frequent and sustained contributions (leadership, influence, and achievements) to advance the profession over a period of not less than fifteen years.

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

Adjunct Professor Physical Therapy

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

djette@mghihp.edu
(617) 724-4844
1CW - 182

Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA

Rehab Sciences PhD Mentor in emeritus Physical Therapy

Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA

AJETTE@MGHIHP.EDU

Pamela K. Levangie, PT, DSc, DPT, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Pamela K. Levangie, PT, DSc, DPT, FAPTA

pklevangie@mghihp.edu

Leslie Portney, DPT, PhD, FAPTA

Dean Emerita School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Physical Therapy

Leslie Portney, DPT, PhD, FAPTA

Cynthia Zadai, PT, DPT, CCS, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Cynthia Zadai, PT, DPT, CCS, FAPTA

czadai@mghihp.edu

Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA

rpurtilo@mghihp.edu

Nancy T Watts, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Professor Emerita, Physical Therapy In memoriam

Nancy T Watts, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Fellows

Chattanooga Research Award

APTA

Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA

Rehab Sciences PhD Mentor in emeritus Physical Therapy

Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA

AJETTE@MGHIHP.EDU

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

Adjunct Professor Physical Therapy

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

djette@mghihp.edu
(617) 724-4844
1CW - 182

Dorothy Briggs Memorial Scientific Inquiry Award

APTA

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

Adjunct Professor Physical Therapy

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

djette@mghihp.edu
(617) 724-4844
1CW - 182

Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing

APTA

Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA

Rehab Sciences PhD Mentor in emeritus Physical Therapy

Alan Jette, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA

AJETTE@MGHIHP.EDU

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

Adjunct Professor Physical Therapy

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

djette@mghihp.edu
(617) 724-4844
1CW - 182

Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA

rpurtilo@mghihp.edu

Jack Walker Award

Established in 1978, the annual Jack Walker Award is awarded for the best articles on clinical practice published in Physical Therapy, the official journal of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Theresa Michel, DPT, DSc, CCS

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Theresa Michel, DPT, DSc, CCS

tmichel1@mghihp.edu

Pauline Cerasoli Lectureship Award

Established in 1998, the annual award acknowledges an individual who has distinguished himself/herself as an educator, administrator, practitioner and/or mentor as exemplified in the professional career of Pauline "Polly" Cerasoli, PT, EdD. The Education Section, APTA sponsors the Pauline Cerasoli Lectureship at Combined Sections Meeting each year.

Bette Ann Harris, PT, DPT

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy President's Council

Bette Ann Harris, PT, DPT

baharris@mghihp.edu

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

Adjunct Professor Physical Therapy

Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc, FAPTA

djette@mghihp.edu
(617) 724-4844
1CW - 182

Leslie Portney, DPT, PhD, FAPTA

Dean Emerita School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Physical Therapy

Leslie Portney, DPT, PhD, FAPTA

Pauline Cerasoli Lectureship

Helen J. Hislop Award for Outstanding Contributions to Professional Literature

APTA

Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Professor Emerita Physical Therapy

Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA

rpurtilo@mghihp.edu