Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Industry Awards

Awards & Recognition

Every year, the Academy highlights and recognizes Academy members and industry partners at the APTA Pelvic Health General Business Meeting, an annual event that occurs toward the end of the APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Members are invited to nominate fellow Academy members to recognize their brilliance in research, education, practice, volunteerism, leadership, and dedication to the physical therapy profession in our industry. Ever since 1977, our members continue to advance our profession, research, practice guidelines, and patient care to new levels.

Our award categories have included:

  • Elizabeth Noble Award
  • Distinguished Mentor Award
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Friend of the Academy Award
  • Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Award
  • Outstanding Physical Therapist (PT) Resident Award
  • Research Award
  • APTA Emerging Leader Award
  • Education Excellence Award
  • Diversity Initiative Award
  • CSM Top Poster Award
  • CSM Top Platform Award
  • Vanguard Award
  • President's Award

Nominate a Member
Award Descriptions

Hear From Past Award Recipients

Patricia King, PT, PhD, FAAOMPT
Patricia King, PT, PhD, FAAOMPT
Elizabeth Noble Award Recipient
I see recognition of excellence in any field as important for two fundamental reasons:
  1. Impact on the honoree:
Contributions worth recognizing usually come with great sacrifice and lots of "giving" of self...Sometimes we are not sure of or maybe just not aware of how our work is impacting others....or even if our contributions are truly valued by others. Bringing honor to peers who make a difference, and whose work inspires and moves us forward is a just, right and respectful act of gratitude.
  1. Impact on the profession:
Awarding excellence is important not only for the honor it brings to the peers we recognize but it also fuels passion and elevates vision by providing inspiration and giving visibility to outstanding works and ideas.

Recognizing peers expands our network. We learn about each other on different levels than usual through the recognition process. Nomination and recognition often connect us with colleagues we do not know well or maybe not at all. Often through the process of nominating someone we do know well, we learn about them at new levels, leading to a better understanding of their ideas and experiences, expanding all of our minds and abilities.
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Elaine Wilder, PT, PhD
Elaine Wilder, PT, PhD
Elizabeth Noble Award Recipient
When I received this award in 2010, it was 33 years from my first face to face meeting with Elizabeth Noble...she would be thrilled to to know that there are now 4,000+ members of specialists and overflowing rooms at CSM, and the Academy's many educational offerings!
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Ebony Jackson Clark, PT, DPT, CLT, Board-Certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist
Ebony Jackson Clark, PT, DPT, CLT, Board-Certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist
APTA Emerging Leader Award Recipient
Winning this award is both an incredible honor and a validation of the passion and dedication I have poured into advancing pelvic health physical therapy. Personally, it reaffirms my commitment to improving access to specialized care, especially in underserved populations. Professionally, it serves as motivation to continue advocating for innovation, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration in pelvic health. This recognition is not just about my individual achievements—it highlights the importance of our field and the impact we can have on patients' lives.

Recognizing excellence in pelvic health physical therapy elevates the profession, inspires innovation, and reinforces the vital role we play in improving patients' quality of life. It highlights the dedication of clinicians who are advancing evidence-based care, expanding access to services, and mentoring the next generation. Acknowledging excellence also fosters collaboration across healthcare disciplines, ensuring pelvic health remains an integral part of comprehensive patient care.

I would absolutely encourage nominating someone! It is a powerful way to celebrate their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the field. It not only recognizes their impact but also helps shine a spotlight on pelvic health physical therapy as a whole. If you know someone who is making a difference—whether through clinical excellence, education, advocacy, or research—take the time to acknowledge their efforts. Your nomination could inspire them and others to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in pelvic health.
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Amanda Olson, PT, DPT, PRPC
Amanda Olson, PT, DPT, PRPC
Elizabeth Noble Award Recipient
Winning the award meant the world to me! It was really special to be nominated by people that I deeply respect and to share that experience with the other award recipients that are also my mentors. To anyone considering nominating a peer, DO IT! I have nominated colleagues for various awards over the years and it has brought me so much personal joy watching them receive their award and get recognized for their hard work.
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Mary Dockter, PT, PhD
Mary Dockter, PT, PhD
Elizabeth Noble Award Recipient
I was humbled, overwhelmed, and incredibly thankful for my receipt of the Elizabeth Noble Award. I embarked on a journey of service to the Academy of Pelvic Health and received so much more personally and professionally than I felt I had given. Thus, I was truly honored and grateful to those who took the time to nominate me. I strongly encourage everyone to take time to recognize those around you who have made a difference in the profession of physical therapy, and specifically in the area of women’s health physical therapy, as it is imperative that we motivate and encourage ongoing excellence and service.
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⭐ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ⭐ Not yet ready to nominate a member for an annual award but would like to give a shout out to an Academy member?  If you are an Academy member or you would like to give a shout out to an Academy member, share your story with us by submitting a blog post or a shoutout! Review article guidelines here. Explore our Membership Blog to learn about exceptional achievements in pelvic health as we shine the spotlight on our dedicated members, sharing their experiences, expertise, and passion to empower and educate the public about the benefits of physical therapy.
Congratulations to our 2026 Award Recipients!

February 12, 2026 | Anaheim, CA

View photos and read about all of our award recipients: Click Here

3 Top State Representatives

#1 Ginger Garner, PT, DPT, ATC-Ret
North Carolina State Representative

#2 Tess Treinen Swake, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC
Oregon State Representative

#3 Yuhang "Doris" Cai, PT, DPT
California State Representative

Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Adria Barchi PTA, MLD-C, LMT

Distinguished Mentor Award

Tess Treinen Swake PT, DPT, MTC
Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Education Excellence Award

Erica Holland, PT, DPT, PWCS

Top 2026 CSM Poster Award

Effects of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Children with Functional Constipation: A Meta-Analysis

Claudia Hannah Koerner, SPT
Margaret Geiger, SPT
Koraima Rodas, SPT
Kimberly Meyer Morelli, PT
Kara Alison Strauss, PT, DPT
Super Human Therapy (Atlanta, GA)

Top 2026 CSM Platform Award

Minimal Clinically Important Difference of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory

Denise Hartzell Leggin, PT, DPT, BSPT, MBA (Penn GSPP Trooper, PA)
Brian G. Leggin, PT, DPT (Penn Therapy and Fitness Philadelphia, PA)

Top JWPHPT Manuscript Reviewer

Christine A. Cabelka, PT, MA, PhD, PWCS, CLT

Research Award

Rachel Worman, PT, DPT, PhD

Collaboration Excellence Award

American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS)

Award accepted by Tanaz Ferzandi, MD, MBA, MA on behalf of AUGS (Immediate Past President)

Volunteer of the Year

CAPP-OB Committee: Alexis Gillett, PT, DPT, EdD
Caitlin Smigelski, PT, DPT
Gina Kelly-Elliott, PT, DPT, PWCS
Ginger Leibfritz, PT, DPT, Cert. DN
Janelle Hayes, PT, DPT, OCS
Jennifer Niemeyer, PT, DPT, PWCS
Jessica LeJeune, PT, DPT
Sandra Gallagher, PT, DPT, PWCS

2026 Awards Presentation by APTA Pelvic Health

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Recipients!

February 13, 2025 | Houston, TX

Replay the 2025 Elizabeth Noble Award presentation, the Academy’s highest honor, and celebrate the incredible contributions of our volunteers, partners, and supporters!
Congratulations to our 2024 Award Recipients!

February 16, 2024 | Boston, MA

Replay the Awards Ceremony recording or browse our list of award recipients below. Congratulations to all volunteers, partners, and contributors! Below is a copy of the presentation slides, award recipient names, and photos from the Awards Ceremony.  Click Here to Watch the Video Recording

2024 Award Recipient Showcase by APTA Pelvic Health