Leah Lowe
Leah Lowe is the 2020 recipient of the Margaret Moore Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member award from the American Physical Therapy Association. Lowe is an assistant professor in the University of Central Arkansas Department of Physical Therapy.
The APTA award is given to one faculty member annually in their first five years of teaching who demonstrates distinct expertise and knowledge through scholarly activities, teaching excellence and commitment to the physical therapy profession.
The award was scheduled to be presented at the APTA NEXT Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in June, but that event has been canceled due to COVID-19. Lowe is tentatively slated to receive the award during APTA’s centennial activities in September 2021 in Washington, D.C.
“I am honored daily to have the opportunity to be part of two remarkable professions: physical therapy and teaching. I sincerely believe my most significant contribution to the physical therapy profession is the ongoing privilege to assist in graduating competent professionals and leaders while modeling the heart for service, connection and growth that makes physical therapists ‘family’ to the patients we serve,” Lowe said. “This incredibly humbling award has fueled a renewed vigor to innovatively meet the challenges of academia and to strive to provide my students with an outstanding educational experience.”
Prior to joining the faculty at UCA in 2015, Lowe worked at Pediatrics Plus in Conway. She has served as the APTA Arkansas programming chair for more than 10 years and helped to establish an annual state conference. Our conferences have featured top presenters in the field of physical therapy and physical therapy research. She has also participated in advocacy work for physical therapists through meetings with local, state and national government officials.
Lowe is a three-time UCA graduate. She earned a Bachelor of Science at UCA in 2003 with a major in health sciences with an emphasis in physical therapy and a minor in interdisciplinary studies through the Schedler Honors College. She earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2006 and a Doctor of Philosophy in physical therapy in 2013 at UCA. Lowe has earned several professional trainings through her 14 years as a physical therapist including the Pediatric Specialty Certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2016.
