Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

Purpose

The Debbra Flomenhoft Humanitarian Award is established by the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy, APTA, to recognize persons whose work:

1. Has resulted in the advancement of the practice of compassionate oncology rehabilitation.
2. Heightened the understanding of cancer illness, and psychosocial rehabilitation issues.
3. Demonstrates patient advocacy.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Have made notable contributions to the professional through leadership, influence, compassionate service, clinical excellence, patient advocacy or achievements, which are sufficient to demonstrate frequent and sustained efforts to advance the profession over a period of at least one year, preceding the nomination.
2. Have demonstrated recognizable contributions in advancing the compassionate component of rehabilitation in oncology, and demonstrated personal influence in advancing concepts of the psychosocial needs of the patient with cancer, and the role of the physical therapist in caring for such patients.
3. Have documented achievements in at least two of the areas of influence (publications, services, programs), which have influenced these respective areas in durable ways.

May or may not be a physical therapist.

Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

Purpose

The Research Award was established by the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy, APTA, to recognize those persons whose work has resulted in enduring and outstanding research pertaining to Oncologic physical therapy. This work should have been presented at APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting or Annual Conference, or published in areas appropriate to the profession of physical therapy in the field of oncology.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Be a member of APTA for at least three years and APTA Oncology for one year.
2. Have made a notable contribution to research in the profession of physical therapy in oncology and/or HIV physical therapy practice.
3. Been nominated by an APTA Oncology member or APTA component. No member shall nominate himself/herself.
4. Provide research material that has a meaningful contribution to the scientific basis of the physical therapy profession in the field of oncology.
5. Have oral presentations and written publication of research material that has been reported to appropriate audiences.

Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

Purpose

The Student Research Award was established by the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy to recognize those students who have performed outstanding basic, clinical, or educational student research pertaining to the practice of physical therapy in oncology and/or HIV Disease, and whose research is presented either orally or by poster at CSM.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Be a current member of APTA Oncology.
2. Have conducted the research while nominee was a student.
3. Present at CSM while a student or within the first two years after graduation.
4. Have made a meaningful contribution as a student to the scientific basis of the physical therapy profession in the field of oncology and/or HIV Disease.
5. Present the research either by platform or poster at CSM.

Criteria

1. Students should submit an abstract for consideration through APTA’s abstract application process (see the call for abstracts at www.apta.org).

Award Privileges

Each Awardee will be reimbursed for CSM Early-Bird student registration.

Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

Purpose

The Stephen Gudas Award was established by the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy, APTA, to recognize those whose written publication in the Academy’s Journal, Rehabilitation Oncology, has resulted in advancement of the practice of oncologic physical therapy.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Have an article published in Rehabilitation Oncology within the last calendar year.
2. Have contributed to the understanding of the disease and/or the medical treatment of the disease, OR has contributed to evidence-based practice in Oncology or HIV Disease rehabilitation.

Procedure

After the last journal of the calendar year is published, the Rehabilitation Oncology Editorial Board will review all articles published that year and select one for the Award.

Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

There will be one PT and one PTA Award

Purpose

As advocates, role models innovators, and leaders in oncologic health care settings, the recipients of the Clinical Excellence in Oncologic Physical Therapy Award demonstrate their commitment to improving the lives of cancer survivors. The challenges of practice in this setting require specialized knowledge and appreciation of the changes that occur physically, mentally, and emotionally as one journey through survivorship. 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

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Be a current member of APTA Oncology.
2. Be an advocate for cancer survivors and a role model for excellence in physical therapy practice.
3. Have been involved in an oncologic clinical practice setting for a minimum of five years.
4. Demonstrate innovation and leadership in program planning or management, clinical education, multidisciplinary teamwork, and/or outstanding quality of care in meeting the physical therapy needs of cancer survivors.

Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

Project or Program

Purpose

To recognize projects or programs in clinical practice, educational, or administrative settings, which provide strong models of effective advocacy for cancer survivors by challenging and changing societal or practice barriers. To communicate and educate Physical Therapists serving cancer survivors having a positive influence on professional development of peers and on the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Eligibility

The project or program should demonstrate one or more of the following:

1. Assistance to peers, patients, or members of the community to promote positive aspects of cancer survivorship.
2. A mechanism to demonstrate how cancer survivorship is improved because of the efforts of the project or program.
3. Recognition as a model of change for other cancer care settings.

Criteria

1. Nominated by a current member of APTA Oncology, describing why the project/program should be recognized.
2. Nominated by a Consumer (patient, staff person, or caregiver) who participated in the project/program, describing the impact.
3. Nominated by a representative of the administration or organization which sponsored the project/program, describing the value and effect of the program.

Nomination should Include a letter, brochure, newspaper article or other description of the program, including the following information:

1. The goals of the project/program.
2. The setting and dates of the project/program.
3. The outcome of the project/program.

There will be one SPT and one SPTA Award

Nomination Deadline: October 1st each year
Open To: Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy Members

Purpose

To provide the means for two students of physical therapy the opportunity to engage in advocacy efforts for the profession at a national level with the intention that this exposure will engage students in similar efforts after graduation.

To promote the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy and encourage active engagement in Academy activities as a student and early professional.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must:

1. Be a current member of APTA Oncology.
2. Be enrolled in a DPT or PTA Program at the time of nomination and be in good standing.
3. Have completed at least two semesters of their program.
4. Have an understanding of the APTA’s national legislative and regulatory efforts that impact the physical therapy profession.
5. Have experience in advocacy efforts and professional involvement at the Chapter level that can demonstrate a contribution to the physical therapy profession.

Nomination should include:

1. A letter from a PT/PTA member of APTA Oncology that indicates why the student is an ideal candidate for the award.
2. A letter of recommendation from a professor or instructor who is knowledgeable of the student’s academic performance.
3. A resume or CV that includes any prior legislative advocacy efforts and professional involvement.
4. An essay of no more than 250 words addressing a national legislative or regulatory issue most concerning to the nominee, and why.

Award Privileges

1. Each student will be reimbursed for registration for Advocacy Day.
2. Each student will be reimbursed for up to $500 in travel expenses. Receipts should be submitted to the Academy Executive Director using the provided Reimbursement Form. Receipts are required for reimbursement.
3. Recognition in an Academy publication.