The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Alumni Association has selected Rebekah Griffith, PT, DPT ‘08, NCS, FAAOMPT as the recipient of the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award. The award recognizes graduates who embody the mission of the CU Physical Therapy Program through excellence and leadership in clinical care, education, service, professional organizations, and research.

For Dr. Griffith, choosing CU for her doctoral education felt like a natural next step. After completing her undergraduate degree at CU Boulder, she knew she wanted to remain in Colorado. But it was her interview day that confirmed her decision. “It felt like home, and I knew immediately it was the right fit for me,” she said.

One memory from that interview still makes her smile. Faculty member Denise Stelzner arrived with a legal pad and pen and jokingly told Dr. Griffith she had brought them “just in case you say something brilliant.”

“I spent the whole interview trying to get that pen to move,” Dr. Griffith recalled. What began as an intimidating moment soon became the start of a meaningful mentorship. “She turned out not to be scary at all and became an incredible role model and mentor.”

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Griffith fondly remembers hosting Japanese exchange students and building friendships with classmates that continue to this day. “The relationships I built with my classmates were invaluable,” she said. “Those people and experiences are still some of my favorite memories of the program.”

Like many students, Dr. Griffith began her career with a clear vision of what she expected her future to look like. As part of a class assignment, she mapped out a five-year professional plan following graduation. Today, she laughs at how dramatically that vision has changed. “I’m now light years away from that plan,” she said.

Initially expecting to spend her career working in brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, Dr. Griffith instead built a diverse professional portfolio. She now practices in emergency and acute care settings while also teaching, consulting, writing, advocating, and working to expand opportunities for physical therapists across healthcare systems. “I never would have dreamed of most of what I’m doing now, and I think that’s one of the best parts of my career,” she said.

A recurring theme throughout Dr. Griffith’s work is challenging physical therapists to think broadly about their skills and impact. “I’m passionate about encouraging every PT to bring a top-of-scope mentality to their career and to recognize the full value of our skill set, use it in new and unfamiliar ways, push our profession forward, and ultimately benefit society,” she said. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue teaching while increasing her focus on systems-level change, helping shape healthcare delivery and policy to expand where and how physical therapists contribute.

Receiving the Alumni Achievement Award is especially meaningful because of the role the CU Physical Therapy Program played in her development. “I finally realized I had found a community,” Dr. Griffith said. “It was the first place I really built lasting friendships, found direction, and started imagining a future for myself.”

She credits the program with teaching lessons that extended far beyond clinical practice. “CU taught me much more than how to be a physical therapist. I learned the power of collaboration, community, connection, mentorship, and saying yes even when you don’t know exactly where it will lead.”

For Dr. Griffith, being recognized by that same community carries a special significance. “There is something about being recognized by the people and place that helped shape you that feels a little like making your family proud,” she said. “I am truly honored.”

Her advice to current students reflects the mindset that has guided her own career. “Don’t think about your future simply as which silo you’ll practice in. Focus on who you want to serve and how you want to serve them, and move toward that with curiosity and an innovative mindset,” she said. “Your career doesn’t have to look like one that already exists. Create the practice. Become the practitioner. Change your corner of the world.”

As she reflects on the honor, Dr. Griffith remains focused on gratitude. “I am incredibly grateful to CU for the education, relationships, mentorship, and community that helped shape who I am today. It is an honor to be recognized by a place that has meant so much to me.”