Meeting the challenge
UD Physical Therapy students win recognition for fundraising efforts
5:30 p.m., June 3, 2015--Doctoral students from the University of Delaware Physical Therapy (UDPT) program have won the Award of Excellence in the 2014-15 Miami-Marquette Challenge, in honor of their fundraising efforts for the Foundation for Physical Therapy.
UDPT students raised more than $15,000 to earn the Award of Excellence, an honor given to the top three PT programs from a nationwide field of 146 PT programs.
Honors Stories
National Medal of Science
Warren Award
Erica Sadiq, senior specialist for annual giving and special events for the Foundation for Physical Therapy, said, “The money raised by students at the University of Delaware and by PT/PTA students across the nation through the annual Marquette Challenge supports scholarships, fellowships and grants to expand the cadre of physical therapist researchers dedicated to advancing patient care. The Challenge has specifically funded over 20 researchers.”
UD students held events throughout the year to raise money for the Challenge, including a Family Fun Day, Pizza Days, Mini CPR Kit Fundraiser, Clothing Sale, EMR Recertification Course, UD Creamery Fundraiser, Jeans Day and a fundraising night at Klondike Kate’s.
The students also offered the Rent-a-PT program in which community members could hire PT students for home maintenance, yardwork and other projects with all proceeds going toward the Challenge.
UD's Physical Therapy program also earned two additional honors:
• The Biggest Stretch Award, for the greatest increase in funds raised since last year’s Challenge with an increase of more than $10,000; and
• Membership in the Philanthropy Circle-Cornerstone Society, in recognition of cumulative fundraising efforts of more than $58,000 in the past 14 years of participation in the Challenge.
“We are very proud of our students’ amazing accomplishments both in and outside of the classroom and clinic,” said Gregory Hicks, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at UD. “I recently had the honor of chairing the Scientific Review Committee for the foundation and can say with confidence that the funds raised will go toward meaningful research in our field.”
More than 80 students from the DPT Classes of 2015 and 2016 participated in the fundraising efforts. Class representatives will be recognized for their philanthropic efforts at the Foundation for Physical Therapy Gala during the APTA NEXT Conference at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland, on Thursday, June 4.
“We greatly appreciate the role that students at the University of Delaware continue to play in helping emerging researchers embark on a research-focused career path,” Sadiq said.