National education honors for physical therapy faculty

By Alex Branch

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Dr. Myles Quiben

Two UNT Health Science Center educators received national honors in education at the annual meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Myles Quiben, PhD, DPT, Interim Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, earned the Distinguished Educator Award from the APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy.

Dr. Quiben was recognized for excellence in teaching and her ability to present complex geriatric physical therapy content in an engaging and dynamic manner to entry-level and post-professional students. A dual board certified clinical specialist in neurologic and geriatric physical therapy, she is a member of the Academy’s Board of Directors and works to strengthen the geriatric education component for clinicians, academicians and the public.

Yasser Salem, PT, PhD, Professor of Physical Therapy, received the Award for Leadership in Education from the APTA Academy of Education.

Dr. Salem was honored for his outstanding leadership throughout his career and professional work that has a substantial impact on physical therapy entry-level and professional education. He is one of only a handful of therapists with board certification in pediatric and neurological specialties nationally.

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Dr. Salem

The APTA annual Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans drew 17,000 – the most the annual conference has ever attracted. APTA represents about 100,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students.

UNTHSC faculty or students presented five research posters, led four educational sessions and made three platform presentations at the conference.

“The awards received by Dr. Quiben and Dr. Salem bring more than national recognition to the Physical Therapy Department,” said Nicoleta Bugnariu, PT, PhD, Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions. “They are a reflection of the commitment to excellence in education shared by the entire faculty, and set an example for students to stay involved in our professional associations and strive for being not good, but great in whatever they do.”

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