WCPT awards programme
The WCPT awards programme recognises outstanding contributions by physical therapists to the profession and/or global health at an international level. There are several categories of award, all presented every four years at the WCPT General Meeting.
Mildred Elson Award
Mildred Elson was the founding President of WCPT and a driving force in establishing the Confederation. She believed strongly in the benefits of physical therapists working together globally. The award named after her, established in 1987 with funds from the American Physical Therapy Association, is the highest honour that WCPT can bestow. It is for continuous leadership over a career, contributing significantly to the development of physical therapy internationally.
Recipients since then have been:
1991: Elizabeth McKay - Secretary General of WCPT 1970-1986
1995: Geoffrey Maitland - clinician, teacher and author
1999: Joan Walker - educator, researcher
2003: Marilyn Moffat - educator, clinician, author
2007: Jules Rothstein - researcher, writer, educator
2011: Stanley Paris - author, clinician, teacher
View details of the 2011 recipient for the Mildred Elson Award.
Nominations may only be made by WCPT member organisations. Candidates must be members of a WCPT member organisation. They cannot be a member of the current WCPT Executive Committee. If the nomination is unsuccessful, the nominee may be considered for another award.
International Service Award
Awards for international service honour individuals who have made a significant contribution towards physical therapy internationally or within their region.
They are awarded in the fields of: practice; education; research; administration and policy development.
View details of the 2011 recipients of the International Service Awards.
Nominations are accepted from member organisations, regions and subgroups. Nominations should indicate the area in which the majority of the nominee’s work has taken place. Candidates must be members of a WCPT member organisation.
Humanitarian Service Award
WCPT recognises physical therapists who have improved people’s lives through exceptional care, compassion, dedication and personal commitment.
Recipients may have carried out their work at a national or international level.
View details of the 2011 recipient of the Humanitarian Service Award.
Nominations are accepted from member organisations, regions and subgroups. Nominees do not have to be a member of a WCPT member organisation - but they need to be a physical therapist who has shown dedication and is held in high esteem by peers.
Leadership in Rehabilitation Award
This award recognises an individual or group/organisation that has made a great contribution to international rehabilitation and/or global health. Examples might include leading rehabilitation programmes in disaster areas or war-affected zones, ensuring that populations have adequate access to rehabilitation, and initiating new education or research programmes.
Nominations for individuals or groups/organisations may be submitted by member organisations, regions, subgroups and the Executive Committee.
Recognition of Service to WCPT Award
WCPT recognises individuals who have contributed to WCPT as chairs of regions and subgroups and through membership of committees.
These Recognition of Service Awards are determined by the Executive Committee and are not open to nomination.
Nominations for all awards other than those for recognition of service, are received by the WCPT Awards Committee with final decisions made by the Executive Committee.
