WCPT Awards Programme
Introduction
At the 15th WCPT General Meeting a motion was adopted to explore the feasibility of developing additional awards to recognise outstanding contributions by individual members of Member Organisations. Award categories suggested were humanitarian contributions, clinical practice, research, education, or service.
After reviewing WCPT’s current awards and its quadrennial recognition of leaders within WCPT, the Executive Committee agreed to proceed with the implementation of an expanded awards programme for 2007.
Objectives
The Awards Programme will provide one way to acknowledge the international leadership and service of individual physical therapists across WCPT Regions, Subgroups and Member Organisations. The objectives of the programme are to:
- recognise leadership and service to WCPT and to the profession
- provide a mechanism to recognise individuals/groups external to WCPT & physical therapy who have made an exceptional contribution to the profession and/or global health
In addition to awards through nomination, WCPT will recognise individuals who have contributed to WCPT as chairs of regions and subgroups and through membership on committees.
Awards
International Leadership - Mildred Elson Award
International Service to the Profession - practice, education, research, administration and policy
Service to Humanity - Humanitarian Service
External to Physical Therapy - Leadership in Rehabilitation
Recognition of Service to WCPT
International Leadership
Mildred Elson Award
The highest honour awarded to a physical therapist by WCPT. It is given for sustained and continuous leadership over a career. Nominations are accepted from Member Organisations.
History
The Mildred Elson Award was established in 1987 with funds donated by the American Physical Therapy Association. Mildred Elson was the first President of WCPT and the first recipient of the award in 1987. Recipients since then have been:
1991: Elizabeth McKay - Past Secretary General of WCPT
1995: Geoffrey Maitland - Clinician, teacher and author
1999: Joan Walker - Educator, researcher
2003: Marilyn Moffat - Educator, clinician, author
2007: Jules Rothstein - Researcher, writer, educator
Purpose
The award is for sustained and continuous leadership over a career and is to honour physical therapists who, like Mildred Elson, have contributed significantly to the development of physical therapy on an international basis through their efforts, dedication and leadership.
International Service to the Profession
Service in the areas of physical therapy education, practice, research or administration & policy development
Service awards are given in recognition of an exceptional contribution at the international and/or regional levels in education, research, practice or administration & policy development. Nominations are accepted from Member Organisations, Regions and Subgroups. More than one award may be given in each area and the number will depend on the merit of the nominations received.
Service to Humanity
Humanitarian Service
Awarded to physical therapist members of Member Organisations in recognition of their humanitarian service. Nominations are accepted from Member Organisations, Regions and Subgroups. The number of awards will be based on the merit of the nominations received.
External to Physical Therapy
Leadership in Rehabilitation
The purpose of the leadership in rehabilitation award is to recognise a group or individual outside the profession who has made an exceptional contribution to physical therapy and/or rehabilitation and/or global health. Nominations may be submitted by Member Organisations, Regions, Subgroups or Executive Committee and the award will be given once in 4 years if nominations are received.
Recognition of Service to WCPT
In addition to awards through nomination, WCPT will recognise individuals who have contributed to WCPT as chairs of regions and subgroups and through membership on committees.
Please download the Overview of WCPT Awards for the criteria for each award.
