Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, has been selected as the recipient of the APTA Early-Investigator Research Fellowship for the next academic year.

Rapport has been a faculty member with the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program for 20 years and is the Director of the Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program. With a background that includes more than 40 publications on topics ranging from pediatric physical therapy to PT education and development of the physical therapy workforce, Rapport brings firsthand knowledge of the research landscape.

Rapport will spend her sabbatical year focusing on research related to physical therapy education and its impact on professional behaviors, clinical decision making, and/or clinical outcomes. Her responsibilities will also include other activities in support of research-related programs at APTA.

"This is an important time for investigations into clinical education in physical therapy, and Dr. Rapport will play a key role in helping APTA contribute to the body of knowledge that will guide the evolution of education programs," said Robyn Watson Ellerbe, PhD, APTA's Vice President of Research. "We are excited to have an investigator of such a high caliber join the APTA team."

The fellowship is intended to facilitate a collaborative research relationship between APTA and the University of Colorado that would benefit the PT Program and faculty in national recognition, potential for external funding and additional resources for education research.

Congratulations, Dr. Rapport!