Foundation for Physical Therapy Receives $1 Million to Fund Research
Alexandria,VA (PRWEB) June 30, 2014 -- The Foundation for Physical Therapy announced today that it has received a $1 million donation to fund research on the outcomes of physical therapy. Stanley Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and his wife, Catherine Patla, donated $500,000, and Laureate Education Inc. supported them by matching their $500,000 donation.
The gifts, announced during the Foundation’s 35th Anniversary Gala in Charlotte, North Carolina, were made to help kickstart the next wave of research to transform the physical therapy profession and are targeted to support research on the long-term outcomes of physical therapy.
“As a profession, our skills in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the physical functioning of the individual are not adequately recognized and integrated into treatment options,” stated Paris. “I believe our gifts will contribute to research and analysis of data in health care outcomes that demonstrate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of physical therapy as a treatment option, compared with medical and surgical care, in such areas as hip, knee, and spinal complaints.”
Laureate Education Inc. is a global higher-education provider for health sciences and is a new owner of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, which was founded by Paris.
During his career, Paris has been involved in research, clinical practice, and teaching in the area of orthopedic and manual physical therapy, with a focus on the spine. He has published more than 40 articles in physical therapy, medical, and osteopathic journals, as well as a book titled “The Spinal Lesion.” He is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the World Confederation for Physical Therapy’s 2011 Mildred Elson Award, WCPT’s top honor in physical therapy.
“We are extremely pleased to accept these 2 generous gifts,” said Foundation Board of Trustees President William G. Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAPTA, FAAOMPT. “Once again, Stanley has shown himself to be a true friend of the Foundation. He continues to go above and beyond in helping to support our mission. These funds will be critical in our efforts to advance evidenced-based literature, the key to helping physical therapists improve the quality of life for so many Americans.”
About the Foundation for Physical Therapy
The Foundation for Physical Therapy was established in 1979 as a national, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and delivery of physical therapy care by providing support for scientifically based and clinically relevant physical therapy research and doctoral scholarships and fellowships.
To learn more, visit Foundation4pt.org.
Over the last 35 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in research grants, fellowships, and postprofessional doctoral scholarships to more than 500 emerging scientists. Foundation-funded researchers have gone on to receive an estimated $610 million in external funding from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Many of today’s leading and emerging physical therapist researchers, clinicians, and academicians began their careers with a grant or scholarship from the Foundation.
Contributions to the Foundation for Physical Therapy are tax-deductible and can be made online at Foundation4PT.org or sent to its headquarters at 1111 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314. For more information, e-mail info(at)foundation4pt(dot)org or call 800/875-1378.
Barbara Malm, Executive Director, Foundation for Physical Therapy, Inc., http://foundation4pt.org/, +1 800-875-1378, [email protected]
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