Skip to main content

The APTA Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Educator Award recognizes the importance of the role of physical therapist assistant educators in ensuring the continued provision of graduates who participate in the provision of high-quality physical therapist services. (This was previously known as the F.A. Davis Physical Therapist Assistant Educator Award.)

The award is intended to encourage physical therapist assistant educators to provide their students with the best foundation possible to serve as productive members of the health care team.

Access Online Platform

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees must be physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who are current members in good standing of the association.

Criteria for Selection

Nominees must demonstrate:

  • Commitment to physical therapist assistant education and students.
  • Commitment to the advancement of physical therapist assistant education through participation in activities occurring at the state and national level.
  • Current or past participation in activities that serve to advance, promote, and define physical therapist assistant education.
  • Commitment to service and to the profession.

A strong application should demonstrate the following:

  • A strong commitment to PTA education and to their students.
    • Involvement is current and sustained.

Demonstrated commitment to the advancement of PTA education through participation in activities occurring at the state and national levels.

  • National level activities
  • State/chapter level activities
  • Local/district level activities

Current or past participation in activities that serve to advance, promote, and define physical therapist assistant education.

  • Quality education activities
  • Creative education activities
  • Promotion of the profession to students

Demonstrated commitment to service and to the profession.

  • National level activities
  • State/chapter level activities
  • Local/district level activities

Support statements that are positive, cite specific examples of professional accomplishments, and provide additional information on depth, scope, and quality in a convincing manner.

What Recipients Receive

An award will be presented to the recipient by APTA's Board of Directors at an APTA national event, and an official announcement will appear in an association publication.

Submission Requirements

Nomination or self-nomination statements must be submitted to begin the process.

The following must be submitted by the nominee:

  • Current curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee
  • Completed online application
  • Two support statements obtained from the following:
    • A faculty member from the nominee’s institution and a current or former student

Submit a Nomination

The nominations call for the Honors & Awards program is open from Sept. 1 to Dec. 1. Nominations must be submitted through our online platform by Dec. 1; late submissions will not be considered. Selected recipients and their nominators will be notified in May.

Additional Resources

For questions regarding the nomination process or the award, contact APTA Honors & Awards.

Access Online Platform