Honored for service to physical therapy

February 28, 2017

By Alex Branch

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.

“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.