Physical Therapy's Bezner named Worthingham fellow by APTA

By Jack McClellan
Office of Media Relations
April 18, 2017

Texas State University professor Janet Bezner has been selected as a 2017 Catherine Worthingham fellow by the American Physical Therapy Association.

The fellowship is designed to honor a “physical therapist or life physical therapist member of the association whose contributions to the profession through leadership, influence, and achievements demonstrate frequent and sustained efforts to advance the profession for a period of not less than 15 years preceding the nomination for election,” per the association’s website. Bezner was among 15 physical therapists selected.

“I am deeply humbled to be considered in the same category as Catherine Worthingham, who was an inspiration and icon in the physical therapy profession,” Bezner said.

The award recognizes Bezner’s contributions to physical therapy education and her advocacy work across her 35-year career. Bezner is the fourth faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy to receive a Catherine Worthingham fellowship. She joins department chair Barbara Sanders, David Greathouse and the late Barbara Melzer.

“To have one fellow is a feat for any physical therapy program, but to have four in total is very special and speaks to the quality of our program and our faculty,” Bezner said.

An award ceremony will be held on June 22 in Boston.