CHICAGO (June 24, 2013) – David Scalzitti, P.T., Ph.D., O.C.S., assistant professor of physical therapy and health care sciences at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), has been named a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Applied Health Sciences. Scalzitti accepted the award at the AHS Alumni and Faculty Awards Dinner on May 4, 2013.
“David’s contributions to physical therapy education, both locally and nationally, exemplify the ideals of this award,” said Bo Fernhall, dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences. “It was only a matter of time until this gentleman received our college’s highest honor.”
A board certified orthopedic clinical specialist, Scalzitti recently accepted the appointment as assistant professor of physical therapy and health care sciences at GW SMHS. He is also a frequent guest lecturer on evidence-based practice for numerous physical therapy education programs. He has published in Manual Therapy and extensively in Physical Therapy, for which he also has served on an editorial advisory committee. In addition, Scalzitti is a contributing author to The Rehabilitation Specialist’s Handbook.
Scalzitti, who earned a bachelor’s in physical therapy in 1987, a master’s in kinesiology in 1994, and a doctorate in disability studies in 2008—all from the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences—was also an instructor in the college’s Department of Physical Therapy for 10 years. Until spring 2013, he worked as lead specialist in the Evidence-Based Resources Department of the American Physical Therapy Association, where he was a leader in moving the profession toward evidence-based practice. As an associate editor of multiple APTA resources, Scalzitti played a critical role in digesting and delivering the substance of complex research articles to practicing therapists—all with the goal of helping therapists “improve patient outcomes, reduce unwarranted variation in practice, and demonstrate value to the health care system,” according to APTA.
Scalzitti was born and raised in Chicago, and currently resides in Arlington, Va.
The Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences. Established in 1987, the award is presented to those alumni who have attained outstanding success and national or international distinction in their chosen profession or life’s work, and whose accomplishments reflect admirably on or bring honor to their alma mater.
