A colleague's formal recognition of a job well done is one of the greatest compliments a professional can receive.
APTA Oregon Awards Submissions
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
These nominations should be completed by Monday, June 2nd, 2025.
Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners! Ruggie Canizares, Christina Gomez, Matt Munger, and Li-Zandre Philbrook.
Awards & Descriptions
Mercedes Weiss Service Award
The Mercedes Weiss Service Award was established in 1976 to publicly acknowledge the outstanding contribution of members of the profession. Eligibility requirements for the Mercedes Weiss Service Award are as follows:
The candidate shall have made significant contribution to the advancement of one or more of the following areas:
1. Clinical Practice: such as innovations in treatment techniques, patient aids, standards of practice.
2. Education: such as program development or modification, educational skills and techniques, continuing education.
3. Administration: such as staff development, successful administrative innovations.
4. Research: such as basic or clinical research, development and implementation of research models, the promotion of research over a broad base.
5. Practice Management: such as legislative issues, reimbursement, quality assurance, etc.
Other areas which may not be included in 1 through 5 but which have significantly affected the practice of physical therapy.
1. The candidate is a member of APTA Oregon and has been a member for no less than five years.
2. Members of the Selection Committee (APTA Oregon Board of Directors) are not eligible for the award.
Past Recipients of the Mercedes Weiss Award
2023 - Lyndsay Stutzenberger, PT, DPT, PhD, CEEAA2022 - Dr. Kevin Chui, PT, DPT, PhD & Robert Long, PT
2021 - Mike Studer, PT, MHS
2020 - Derek Fenwick, PT, MBA
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award was first given in 1988. Eligibility requirements for APTA Oregon Distinguished Service Award are:
- The candidate shall have made a distinguished contribution of time, energy or expertise toward furthering the goals of APTA Oregon and for the benefit of its members.
- The candidate need not be a member of the physical therapy profession or APTA Oregon.
- Members of the Selection Committee (Chapter Vice President and Members-at-Large) are not eligible for the award.
- List the APTA Oregon/APTA offices held, awards received, committee(s) served on when submitting your supporting statement.
Past Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award
2023 - Leigh Reece, PT, DPT2022 - Talina Corvus, PT, DPT, PHD
2021 - Inga Deckert
2020 - Sandra Fisher, CAE
Regional Awards
Regional Awards are given to recognize a PT or PTA living in Oregon who has made a positive impact in their community, workplace, or within APTA-Oregon. See list below on previously recognized counties for the Regional Awards. Please refer to this list and state the county in which your candidates practices within when completing the 2023 Nomination form.
- Central (Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, Klamath, Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco, Sherman)
- East (Morrow, Grant, Harney, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Malheur)
- Southwest (Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, Jackson)
- Northwest (Clatsop, Tillamook, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Lincoln, Benton, Linn)
- Portland Area (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Columbia, Hood River)
Past Recipients of the Northwest Regional Award
2023 - Philip Hawthorn, PT, MSPT2021 - Winston Kennedy, PT, DPT
2020 - Stacy Mosbrucker, PTA
Past Recipients of the Portland-area Regional Award
2021 - Kristin Messing, PT, MS2020 - Carly Lochala, PT, DPT
Past Recipients of the Central Oregon Regional Award
2021 - Mike Edgerton, PT, NCS, ATP2020 - Andy Sabatier, PT, DPT
Past Recipients of the Southwest Regional Award
2021 - Garrett Stroup, PT, DPT, CSCS2020 - Jeremiah Moore, PT, DPT
Ricci Susick Advocacy Award
The Ricci Susick Advocacy Award was established in 2018 to publicly acknowledge the outstanding contribution of members of the profession. The candidate shall have made significant contribution to the advancement of the following areas:
- Advocacy at the local, state or national level, resulting in significant benefit to the physical therapy profession.
- Mentorship, furthering the profession through the development and mentoring of others who are passionate about advancing physical therapy.
Past Recipients of the Ricci Susick Advocacy Award
2021 - Jeannie Thompson, PTA
2020 - Chris Murphy, PT
Congratulations to the Emerging Student Leaders
Each year the Delegates select one PT student and one PTA student to become part of the delegation to the House of Delegates. These students are fully engaged in the process of reviewing motions for the House and candidates for national office. They are also funded to attend the House.
2022 Winners
SPTA Award - Jose Linares Ochoa, SPTA
SPT Award - Morgan Clark, SPT
2021 Winners
SPTA Award - Mason Flores, SPT
SPT Award - Rebekkah Joliff, SPTA
President's Award -Talina Corvus, PT, DPT, PHD
2020 Winners
SPTA Award - Michelle Spindler, SPTA
SPT Award - Gavin McBride, SPT, MS