APTA Geriatrics Honors & Awards

The APTA Geriatrics Clinical Excellence award seeks to recognize one APTA Geriatric Member for outstanding clinical practice in a geriatric health care setting. As advocates, role models innovators, and leaders in geriatric care settings, the recipients of the Clinical Excellence in Geriatrics Award demonstrate their commitment to improving the lives of ageing adults. The challenges of practice in this setting require specialized knowledge and appreciation of the changes that occur physically, mentally, and emotionally as one ages. Beyond that, the clinicians who are successful in this environment are adept at teamwork, innovation, creative problem solving, and education. They meet standards of excellence and challenge us all to strive to follow their example of professionalism and compassion.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of APTA Geriatrics.
• Be an advocate for ageing adults and a role model for excellence in physical therapy practice.
• Have been involved in geriatric clinical practice settings for a minimum of five years.
• Demonstrate innovation and leadership in program planning or management, clinical education and/or outstanding quality of care multidisciplinary teamwork, in meeting the physical therapy needs of ageing adults.

Nomination
Required nomination materials (that must be submitted as ONE pdf):

• One or more letters of nomination, addressed to the Awards Committee, describing how and why the nominee meets the criteria
• A copy of the nominee's current resume or CV

The APTA Geriatrics Academic Impact in Geriatrics Award seeks to recognize one APTA Geriatric Member for excellence in an academic setting. The complexity of providing care for the ageing population compels educators to think outside the box and innovatively educate future geriatric physical therapists.   By offering this award, APTA Geriatrics places value on those individuals who excel in presenting content on geriatrics in an engaging and dynamic manner.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of APTA Geriatrics.
• Have distinguished themself through excellence in academic education in geriatric physical therapy.
• Have distinguished themself in a subject matter as evidenced by publications or other appropriate demonstrations.
• Have extended geriatric physical therapy education by the development of innovative teaching methods or materials.

Nomination
Required nomination materials (that must be submitted as ONE pdf):

• One letter of nomination, addressed to the Awards Committee, describing how the nominee meets the criteria
• One letter from a former student and no more than three letters from additional students and/or colleagues, describing how the nominee has demonstrated the criteria
• A copy of the nominee's current resume or CV

The APTA Geriatrics Excellence in Research award seeks to recognize one outstanding researcher who has contributed to science and has been published in a peer-reviewed journal in the field of geriatrics and/or gerontology. The purpose of the award is to recognize research conducted by a physical therapist and relevant to geriatric physical therapy research and disseminated in ageing research. The researcher is recognized for the perceived impact of the published report on future research, education, clinical practice or a combination of these areas.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of APTA Geriatrics.
• Individual nominated must be a physical therapist who has been the author (or coauthor) of a paper dealing with clinical geriatric physical therapy research. This paper must have been published in a recognized, peer-reviewed journal (e.g.: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy, Journal of American Geriatric Society, Journal of Gerontology, etc.) in the past two years.

If several physical therapists are coauthors, the first named will be the individual who is eligible for the award.

Nomination
Required nomination materials (that must be submitted as ONE pdf):

• Cover letter from the nominator to include the complete citation for the paper and a brief statement of rationale of the impact of the reported research on the science and practice of geriatric physical therapy [eg research, education or practice].
• One copy of the nominated author's paper (with complete reference citation)

The APTA Geriatrics Joan M. Mills award seeks to recognize a APTA Geriatric Member who has given outstanding service to the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. This award was established in 1980 in honor of the APTA Geriatrics' first President, Joan M. Mills, whose vision, determination, and dedication united physical therapists caring for geriatric patients in their commitment to excellence in the delivery of physical therapy to ageing adults. Her years of leadership and participation led to the growth and development of APTA Geriatrics and of new leaders who continue to promote the mission of the Academy. This award recognizes a member who has followed in Joan Mills' footsteps, generously contributing their time, talents, and efforts to the development of the Academy.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of APTA Geriatrics
• Have actively participated in APTA Geriatrics activities, given generously and willingly of time and effort for a minimum of three years
• Have been engaged in the field of gerontology/geriatrics for a minimum of five years
• Have served as a volunteer member or leader, member of the Geriatric Specialty Council, and/or voting member of the APTA Geriatrics Board of Directors
• Have demonstrated valuable service to APTA Geriatrics through areas of leadership, personal influence, achievement, or frequent and sustained work to support the Academy

Nomination
A current member of APTA Geriatrics must nominate the individual. Required nomination materials (that must be submitted as ONE pdf):

• A letter of nomination, addressed to the Awards Committee, describing how and why the nominee meets the criteria
• A copy of the nominee's current resume or CV

The APTA Geriatrics Carole B. Lewis Lecture award seeks to recognize one individual who has distinguished themself as a leader, administrator, practitioner, and/or mentor as exemplified in the professional career of Carole B. Lewis, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA.

Dr. Lewis was a founding member of the Academy, and served as its fifth President laying the groundwork for development of numerous leaders in geriatric physical therapy. During her presidency she was also in the first class of Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialists. Dr. Lewis has given hundreds of lectures and academic classes, and delivered the Mary McMillan Lecture of the APTA in 2016.  Dr. Lewis created the journal Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation in 1985 to disseminate research to improve the lives of ageing adults, and she has authored numerous textbooks related to geriatric physical therapy. Dr. Lewis is a model clinician, business owner, teacher, leader, author, advocate, and mentor.

This award recipient is given a stage to present the annual Carole B. Lewis Lecture at APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM).

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a physical therapist who is a current member of APTA Geriatrics. Individuals who are current members of the APTA Geriatrics Board of Directors are not eligible for the award and may not participate in the nomination process.
• Have made distinguished contributions to the profession of physical therapy in the area of geriatrics
• Held a leadership role as a physical therapist working with aging adults or teaching this content in the academy of higher education
• Provided service to the profession in various capacities
• Have vision and insight regarding the profession of physical therapy and the implications for the future of geriatric physical therapist practice and/or education
• Have a high regard from peers
• Ability to present a compelling lecture at acceptance of award

Recipient Responsibilities:

• Recipients must have the ability to provide a manuscript of the lecture for publication in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.
• The recipient will present the Carole B. Lewis Lecture at the Combined Sections Meeting one year after the award is given and provide permission for the lecture to be recorded. The lecture shall be focused on challenging issues, advocacy, and leadership in geriatric physical therapy and should be designed to inform and inspire attendees. The lecture shall not be used to promote any product or service for personal gain, and award recipients must declare any conflicts of interest. Length of the lecture shall be no less than 40 minutes. (Maximum time determined by CSM Program Chair).

Nomination
Required nomination materials (that must be submitted as ONE pdf):

• A letter of nomination from an APTA member that addresses the award criteria and criteria for selection
• A formal resume or curriculum vitae of the nominee which includes biographical information pertaining to major professional activities and accomplishments of the nominee
• Two additional letters of support, from APTA members, that specifically focus on the strengths of the nominee in relation to the award criteria.

If a nominee was not selected for the award, the nominator may resubmit the same nomination packet one time only in the following calendar year with the option of updating supporting documents