Dr. Tamara Gravano of the Marshall University College of Health Professions has received the Lucy Blair Service Award presented by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Gravano, an associate professor in the university’s School of Physical Therapy, will be honored at a ceremony in June. She said she feels humbled and honored to be recognized for her devotion to the profession.
“I try to serve as a role model to my students in the School of Physical Therapy,” Gravano said. “I believe that service to the profession is our duty as health care professionals, and that if students are exposed to a culture of professional service, it becomes a natural expectation for their own careers.”
Currently, Gravano serves on a number of committees for the APTA at the national level. She is on the board of directors for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, on the board of the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education, and she also serves at the state level on the education committee for the West Virginia Physical Therapy Association. In addition to her service, Gravano has taught various continuing education courses across the country on the topic of geriatric physical therapy, including the Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults course series. In addition, she has presented nationally and locally on residency education and specialization.
According to the APTA, the Lucy Blair Service Award honors physical therapist members or physical therapist life members whose contributions to APTA are of exceptional quality. Qualifying contributions can pertain to association components, through work on appointed or elected positions, and/or in other capacities at the association and component levels.
To learn more about the APTA’s Lucy Blair Service award, visit http://www.apta.org/HonorsAwards/Awards/BlairService/. For more information about the School of Physical Therapy at Marshall University, visit www.marshall.edu/physical-therapy.