Awards

Current Winner (2023): Andrea Zujko (Class of ’02)
Pronouns: She/her

Bio: Andrea Zujko is this year's recipient of the NUPTHMS Alumnus of the Year Award. Andrea Zujko PT, DPT, OCS, COMT is a licensed and board-certified physical therapist, certified Pilates Instructor, and educator in the Dance Medicine field. Andrea graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University in 2002. Post-graduation, Andrea received her COMT certification from NAIOMT in 2010 and became an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) through ABPTS in 2013. 

In 2002, Andrea joined Westside Dance Physical Therapy (WSDPT) where she is currently a senior physical therapist and the clinic manager of the practice. As part of her work, Andrea treats dancers with the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet. 

In 2012, Andrea became an adjunct professor and onsite PT with the Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department at NYU. In addition to providing onsite PT care and Pilates instruction, Andrea is currently teaching functional anatomy classes to the BFA dance majors. 

Since 2008, Andrea started teaching continuing education coursework through her involvement with WSDPT’s Dance Medicine Practicum. In 2018, she was recruited by Johns Hopkins Hospital to teach this program as part of the didactic portion of their Performing Arts Fellowship Program as well as a continuing education offering to healthcare professionals. In 2020, she decided to create the Dance Medicine Education Initiative, a new collaborative and comprehensive education company devoted to the assessment and treatment of dancers' bodies. 

Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the profession of Physical Therapy. This may occur in a variety of ways and the nominee may contribute to the physical therapy program by means of:

• Teaching (e.g. guest lecturer, TA, member of panel discussions, etc.)
• Promoting the University program (e.g. liaison for admissions/interviewing potential candidates, assisting at job fairs and/or career nights at area schools)
• Participation in Clinical Education (serving as clinical instructor or CCCE, mentoring students)
• Promoting the Alumni Association (e.g. member of the Board of Directors, class representative, committee member)
• Upholding the values and ideals of NUPTHMS through their contributions to the profession throughout their career

A good candidate will also have made meaningful contributions to the APTA nationally, as well as in their state chapter.

Nominees who promote the NUPT Alumni Association (e.g. member of the Board of Directors, class representative, committee member) or contribute directly to NUPT will be given weighted consideration.

Previous Recipients: 2022: Jennifer Gilbertson ('87), 2021: David Wessells (’99), 2020: Mark Hunter Hall (’97), 2019: Jean Kestner (’87), 2017: Paula Goga Eppenstein (’92), 2016: Rachel Tappan (’96), 2015: Bill Healey (’93), 2014: Joe Farrell (’76)

Current Winner (2023): Meghan Lamothe (Class of ’17)
Pronouns: She/her

Bio: Meghan Lamothe is this year's recipient of the NUPTHMS Young Alumnus of the Year Award. Meghan currently works as a Clinical Specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. She is Coordinator, Faculty, & Mentor in the HSS Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program and also coordinates the HSS Rehab Concussion Program. She completed an Orthopedic Residency at USC in 2018 after graduating from NUPT in 2017. 

Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences within the past 10 years and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the profession of Physical Therapy. This may occur in a variety of ways. The nominee may contribute to a Physical Therapy program by means of:

• Teaching (e.g. guest lecturer, TA, member of panel discussions, etc.)
• Promoting the University program (e.g. liaison for admissions/interviewing potential candidates, assisting at job fairs and/or career nights at area schools)
• Participation in Clinical Education (e.g. serving as clinical education (e.g. serving as clinical instructor or CCCE, mentoring students).

A good candidate will also have made meaningful contributions to the APTA nationally, as well as in their state chapter.

Nominees who promote the NUPT Alumni Association (e.g. member of the Board of Directors, class representative, committee member) or contribute directly to NUPT will be given weighted consideration.

Previous Recipients: 2022: Kristen Tinlin (’13), 2021: Colleen Ward (’15), 2020: Amanda Greene (’09), 2019: Mary Kate Casey (’13), 2018: Natalie Look Reed (’08), 2017: Laura Miller McPherson (’12), 2016: Dr. Justin Lantz (’12), 2015: Lindsey Plass (’12), 2014: Kristin Liebl (’08)

Current Winner (2023): Lee Ryder (Class of ’18)
Pronouns: They/them

Bio: Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Lee Ryder is the recipient of the Donna Frownfelter Community Service Award. Lee Ryder, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist and Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Lee enjoyed five years serving as a clinical physical therapist with the Indian Health Service in Arizona, and now works as a Public Health Analyst with the Health Resources and Services Administration in Chicago, IL. Lee received their Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Loyola University Chicago in 2015, their Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in 2018, and is currently pursuing their Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Behavior Health Promotion from the University of Arizona. Aside from their clinical experience, they serve as an advocate and educator for topics related to LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive healthcare. Lee is a self-described quirky Leo, amateur guitarist, and lover of ice cream and pizza. In their free time, you’ll find them enjoying the outdoors, exploring local happy hour deals, and spending time with their wife Cassandra and puppies Aspen and Juniper. 

Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the community to promote awareness of Physical Therapy, educate on its role in prevention of health related diseases or injuries, provide support for various health-related issues and/or provide treatment to underserved communities that require Physical Therapy care. A good candidate will exemplify important achievement either as an individual or as part of a group in the development of programs that impact the community in any of the following areas: Education, Disaster Services, Disease Prevention, Healthy Futures, Underserved or Rural Areas and/or Veterans and Military Families.

Previous Recipients: 2021: Karin Schumacher (’73), 2020: Patsy Lawton (’64), 2019: Rick Schurman (’77), 2018: Jennifer Henry (’05), 2017: Nate Coomer (’06), 2016: Susan Davis (’77), 2015: Toni Sander (’87), 2014: Demetra John (’77)

Current Winner: Tasha Weatherspoon (Class of ’98)
Pronouns: She/her

Bio: Tasha Weatherspoon is this year's recipient of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Achievement Award. Tasha Weatherspoon, PT, DPT, CERB graduated in 1998 from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences (NUPTHMS) with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. She earned a doctorate degree and a certificate in Rehabilitation Administration from University of Montana in 2022. She has clinical experience in acute care, women's health, outpatient, SNFs, Travel PT, and home health. She has participated as Associated Faculty at NUPTHMS in the following courses: Issues Across the Lifespan, Foundations I & II, Professional Role Development, Prosthetics, and provided Patient Management Field Trips in Home Care Setting. She has written a chapter called Home Care Setting in an e-book by Dr. Carole B. Lewis and others entitled Physical Therapy for the Older Adult. She currently serves as President of the NUPTHMS Alumni Board of Directors. Tasha is also a member of the Editorial Board of Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. She enjoys participating in numerous career panels to middle and high schoolers to increase awareness about Physical Therapy. 

Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the profession in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The recipient of this award will demonstrate a commitment to the value of DEI that goes above and beyond their assigned job responsibilities. “Contributing to the profession” can take on many forms such as:

• Present talk or educational session focused on inequality, discrimination and/or exclusion of underrepresented or marginalized groups in healthcare settings or in their communities.
• Evidence of sustained practice of cultural change and offer a critical voice that enhances diversity, equity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy community.
• Demonstrate collaboration with others to achieve equality and harmony in the physical therapy community and encourage positive outcomes as part of larger solutions.
• Create opportunities or programs that bring people from different backgrounds together in the physical therapy community or that promote diversity awareness throughout the field.
• Demonstrate leadership in service, teaching, and scholarship as it relates to DEI.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the success of students, faculty, and staff from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
• Evidence of commitment to serving individuals from underserved areas that demonstrates improved access to care, improved outcomes or improved overall health and well-being of members of that community.

Previous Recipients: 2022: Dawn S. Brown (’99)

Current Winner (2022): Jonathan Tsay (Class of '18)

Award Description: A Physical Therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and has made and/or continues to make contributions to the program in the area of research. The research, past or present, can be conducted at Northwestern or through an employer, professional organization (e.g. IPTA/APTA, etc.), or other educational institution(s). The nature and content of the research should improve the profession as a whole by contributing objective measurement and sound reasoning to the practice of Physical Therapy.

Previous Recipients: 2021: Margaret Danilovich (’73), 2020: Jane Sulllivan (’81), 2019: Karen Mueller (’87), 2017: Marcie Harris Hayes (’86), 2016: Dr. Mary Massery (’77), 2015: Lois Hedman (’87), 2014: Alison Chang (’96)

Current Winner: 2023 Winner Yet to be Announced

Full Description: The Distinguished Alumnus Award is offered from the Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences and NU Physical Therapy Alumni Association to recognize an individual who has exhibited outstanding leadership and/or impact on the physical therapy profession throughout his or her career as shown by contributions to and/or promotion of PTHMS in scholarship, teaching, administration, or service. This individual is a physical therapist who has earned a degree (including certificate, BS, MPT, MS, DPT, PhD, etc.) from Northwestern University.

Previous Recipients: Robert Babbs, Jr. Sally C. Edelsberg, Joe Farrell, Marilyn Holt, Mark Kaufman