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Cory Christiansen, PT, PhD, Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, has been recognized as a 2024 Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA). The fellow designation is the association’s highest membership category which is awarded to physical therapists whose careers demonstrate unwavering commitment to the profession and demonstrated leadership across education, practice, research, and advocacy. While most physical therapy programs are fortunate to have one FAPTA on their roster, CU Physical Therapy has the privilege of being the academic home of two active faculty members with the honor (Drs. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley and Michael Harris-Love), and one emeritus faculty member (Margaret Schenkman).

Catherine Worthingham, PT, PhD, FAPTA, was an effective change agent who motivated others to make an impact within the physical therapy profession. She was a two-term president of the association during World War II, and the first physical therapist to hold a doctoral degree. Dr. Worthingham was also a visionary leader who advocated for the rehabilitation of children with polio and other forms of paralysis.

Dr. Christiansen was nominated through a team effort spearheaded by CU PT faculty member, Dr. Andrew Smith, and the Faculty Awards Subcommittee. Letters of support were also provided by CU faculty members including Drs. Harris-Love, Schenkman, and Stevens-Lapsley. External letters supporting the nomination came from other APTA fellows from nationally recognized PT programs including Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.

In these letters, the authors noted Dr. Christiansen’s tireless efforts in teaching Movement Science courses, his role as a mentor for rehabilitation science PhD students, and the efforts he has made in the treatment of amputation patients, osteoarthritis and total joint arthroplasty patients, and those living with neurological conditions including Parkinson’s Disease. They also highlight that Dr. Christiansen has over two decades of experience in the field, with over 60 peer-reviewed publications, and over $4 million in extramural grant funding to date.

The distinction was officially bestowed on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at the American Physical Therapy Association Leadership Congress in Kansas City, MO. While Dr. Christiansen was not able to be present at this year’s conference, other members of the CU Physical Therapy community were in attendance.