The GW SMHS Physical Therapy awards ceremony, held Friday, May 13, in Betts Theater, was an opportunity for program faculty and students to recognize one another and the importance of their profession.
“You are the health care professional trifecta: the person that patients and clients put their trust in, share their stories with, laugh with and cry with as you work with them to achieve goals that are important to them. Being pain free. Being independent, and resuming their career and personal life roles,” said Ellen Costello, PhD, PT, director of the GW SMHS Physical Therapy Program.
This year’s students studied diligently, but their commitment to community service and one another is a quality intrinsic to GW PT program members. This year’s class gave what is quickly becoming a traditional gift to the next class of PT students – brand new white coats – and Rachel Wilcox, DPT '22, who gave the student charge, encouraged her classmates to remain generous and curious.
“As empathic providers, it's easy to get caught up in what's going on in the world and feel stuck,” she said. “My challenge for all of you here is to not lose sight of the values and the principles inherent to your GW education, things like self-reflection, critical thinking, lifelong learning. Use all of these in new and creative ways to make meaningful change.”
This year’s award winners included:
• Academic Excellence Award: Brian Faller
• Clinical Leadership Award: Bdho Gidey and Sarah Suggs
• Jean Johnson Award for Leadership, Excellence, and Quality: Rachel Wilcox
• Outstanding Alumni Award: Paige Rothblum, DPT ’18
• Outstanding Clinical Educator Award: Kristy Recek, MPT, PT, manager, Inpatient Rehabilitation Services, Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
• Outstanding Faculty Award: Karen Goodman, DPT, assistant professor of health, human function, and rehabilitation sciences, GW SMHS
• Peer recognition award: Jennifer Black
• Service excellence award: Myah Huss (community service) and Devon Thomas (service to the profession)
