Honored for service to physical therapy

By Alex Branch

Dr. Salem
Dr. Salem

Two UNT Health Science Center physical therapy professors received the highest service awards at the national meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Yasser Salem, PT, PhD, Interim Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, was presented the Leadership in Service Award by the association’s Aquatic Section. The award recognizes a physical therapist who demonstrates outstanding service and leadership in aquatic physical therapy.

“I am deeply grateful for this honor,” Dr. Salem said. “I have wanted very much to help the section members and the field of aquatic therapy. This award validates the importance of service and giving back to one’s profession.”

Myla Quiben, PT, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, received the Joan M. Mills Award, the highest honor from the association’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Dr. Quiben is a member of the Academy’s Board of Directors, serves as its Director of Education and works to strengthen the geriatric education component for clinicians, academicians and the public.

Dr. Quiben
Dr. Quiben

“It was a wonderful surprise to be honored by my peers and colleagues,” Dr. Quiben said. “I am thankful and honored to belong to a distinct talented group of therapists who have served the profession and the academy.”

The awards were presented at the association’s combined sections meetings Feb. 15-18 in San Antonio. The American Physical Therapy Association is a professional organization that represents more than 95,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students.

Nicoleta Bugnariu, PT, PhD, Interim Dean, School of Health Professions, said the honors reflected the culture of excellence in the Health Science Center’s Department of Physical Therapy.

“These honors highlight not only the caliber of our faculty recognized by their peers, but also how our faculty members live our values by serving others first in a way that positively impacts the physical therapy profession and brings recognition to our institution on a national level,” Dr. Bugnariu said.

Recent News

Ashenafi 768x768
  • Our People
|Sep 20, 2023

Dr. Ashenafi Cherkos awarded prestigious AIM-AHEAD Fellowship in Leadership

Dr. Ashenafi Cherkos, assistant professor at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, has been awarded the prestigious AIM-AHEAD Fellowship in Leadership for the Fall 2023 cohort. Cherkos serves in the School of Public Health’s Department of Population and Community Healt...
Djperera
  • On Campus
|Sep 20, 2023

Innovate Fort Worth podcast: DJ Perera of New Age Media New Age Learning program

Innovate Fort Worth, the local podcast showcasing local innovation and its dynamic creators, recently featured DJ Perera, a trailblazing artist and educator. Hosted by Cameron Cushman of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, the podcast episode delves into the intersecti...
Darlene Watkins
  • On Campus
|Sep 20, 2023

HSC student advocates for falls prevention awareness in Tarrant County

Darlene Watkins has dedicated her life to creating healthier and sustainable communities. Her background in interdisciplinary design led her to work with various community organizations from Atlanta to California, but it was her passion for educating aging populations that fueled her desire to wo...
Glenn Forister
  • On Campus
|Sep 19, 2023

HSC’s School of Health Professions to host Health Professions Workforce Symposium

Modern medicine is a team sport, and roughly 60% of that team is composed of practitioners who exist outside of the doctor-nurse paradigm. These vital pillars make up the backbone of the $3 trillion health care sector, and they’re among the fastest-growing professions in the world. From 5 to 8 p....