August 1, 2012

The Marian Williams Award for Research in Physical Therapy was established in 1963 by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and recognizes individuals in the field who conduct outstanding clinical or educational research, publish frequent scientific studies, present their work orally, and exhibit professional commitment to physical therapy. The award is named for Marian Williams, PhD, a dedicated physical therapy professional who taught Physical Therapy and Anatomy at Stanford University.

Drexel Physical Therapy professor Robert Palisano, ScD, was notified recently that he will be honored as a Marian Williams Award recipient this year by the APTA’s Board of Directors at the Association’s annual conference next June in Salt Lake City, Utah. He will be presented with a plaque and the award will be announced in an APTA publication.

Palisano has collaborated with local, national and international partners on cutting-edge research for the past two decades, with primary research centered around prognosis, evaluation of therapy services and outcome measurement in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Palisano was the lead author of the classification system standardly used to classify the motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy, The Gross Motor Functional Classification System, an article cited more than 1,145 times.

In addition to the Marian Williams Award for Research, the APTA has also recognized Palisano’s contributions with a Catherine Worthingham Fellowship, Knowledge Translation Leadership Award by the Section on Pediatrics (2011), the Anniversary Award (2008), and the Golden Pen Award (2005.)

“I am honored to receive the Marian Williams Award for Research in Physical Therapy. Through my involvement in the American Physical Therapy Association I have received mentoring and formed research collaborations that have shaped my career. Although I have worked hard to conduct research that is meaningful to children with physical disabilities and their families, the opportunity to interact with mentors, colleagues, graduate students, children and families has been more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined,” Palisano said.

Congratulations to Palisano, on this outstanding achievement. The award is well-deserved!