Dr. Nancy B. Reese, professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, is the recipient of this year’s Lucy Blair Service Award by the American Physical Therapy Association.
The association is a national professional organization representing more than 74,000 members. Each year, the association recognizes a small group of individuals nationwide for their contributions to the association and profession.
The goal of the association is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. To be eligible for the award, nominees must be physical therapists whose contributions were of exceptional value to the association.
Reese was presented the Lucy Blair Service Award recently at the APTA Annual Conference in Baltimore.
“I was very humbled to be recognized by my professional association and peers and to be among a group of award winners for whom I have so much admiration and respect,” Reese said.
Reese has served as treasurer and president of the Arkansas Physical Therapy Association, treasurer of the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Education, a member of the Organizing Committee for the newly formed Academic Council of the American Physical Therapy Association, and Board of Directors of Political Action Committee of the American Physical Therapy Association.
She currently serves as treasurer of the Academic Council of the American Physical Therapy Association and team leader of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Dr. Reese is the second individual from the State of Arkansas to receive this honor. Dr. Bill Bandy, a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UCA, received the award in 2010.
“UCA’s Physical Therapy faculty is outstanding,” Reese said. “All are members of their professional association and many are involved at the national level and have national reputations in their field. This level of involvement has caused UCA to become nationally known in Physical Therapy Education which allows us to better attract quality faculty to our program.”