SPA Awards of Excellence
Recognizing contributions to the physical therapy profession through awards is a highlight for the SPA. We are thankful to be able to celebrate those amongst us who embody and inspire excellence in leadership and outstanding service in education, clinical practice, and research.
Award of Merit for Clinical Excellence
Must be a member in good standing with CPA and SPA. Must have shown a history of high professional standards in their chosen field(s) over a significant period of time, gaining respect of his/her peers along the way. In addition, one or more of the following will be taken into consideration:
- Has shown a history of pursuing continuing education within his/her physiotherapy career, and/or has been responsible for organizing or promoting continuing education.
- Has shown a history of innovation with the physiotherapy profession; i.e., formation of new programs or services.
- Has shown some uniqueness in their dedication to their physiotherapy career.
New Member Professional Contributions Award
To recognize the contributions of recent graduates and newer members of the SPA, with 5 or fewer years of experience in the profession.
- Must be a member in good standing of CPA and SPA.
- Must have 5 or fewer years of experience in physiotherapy.
- Must have demonstrated professional involvement and/or leadership within the profession and SPA on a provincial level.
- May be recognized for outstanding promotion of the profession in their area/region/facility.
- May be recognized for development of new or innovative programs or initiatives in their area/region/facility.
Award of Merit for Student Initiative and Professional Engagement
To recognize a student SPA member who has demonstrated initiative and professional involvement in the rehabilitation sciences.
- Must be a member in good standing of CPA and SPA.
- Ongoing student engagement with national or provincial associations through participation in events, lunch and learns, conferences, etc.
- Has demonstrated initiative and professional involvement in the rehabilitation sciences through:
- Outstanding promotion of the profession.
- Development of new or innovative programs or initiatives.
- Involvement in development of research or knowledge translation in the area of rehabilitation sciences.
- Student initiative and professional engagement could be represented by the following activities; the student should have demonstrated a minimum of 2 of these:
- Effort to go “above and beyond”; demonstrates dedication to the profession.
- Enthusiasm to promote new learning opportunities, create reciprocal relationships with groups that benefit health care clients, and demonstrate innovation within the rehabilitation sciences.
- History of volunteer activity within the profession.
- History of being regarded as a good spokesperson for the profession, representing the interests of all physiotherapists.
- Considered by peers to be a role model of professional behaviour, and motivates others to become involved in professional activities.
- Seeks opportunities to engage with the professional community outside of the classroom.
Award of Merit for Clinical Education Award
Awarded to a SPA member for outstanding contribution to the clinical education of physical therapy students. This award is meant to recognize and honour an individual who contributes expertise and time to support and promote the clinical education of students, with direct student supervision and/or program development in clinical education as an ongoing focus in their professional life.
- Must be a member in good standing with CPA and SPA.
- Must have a history of high professional standards in the clinical education of physical therapy students over a period of at least 5 years, gaining respect of colleagues and students along the way.
In addition the following will be considered. The ideal candidate:
- Will be a person who has demonstrated high standards of professionalism and commitment to students in the role of professional mentor and/or leadership in promoting quality clinical education programs for students in health service delivery programs.
- Has demonstrated a spirit of cooperation and collaboration with the School of Rehabilitation Science (formerly the School of Physical Therapy), University of Saskatchewan.
- Is committed to excellence and/or innovation in clinical teaching and/or administration in a health service agency (i.e., clinical practice, research, publishing, managerial).
- Has demonstrated willingness to apply innovative models of clinical education.
- Works collaboratively with the School of Rehabilitation Science in curriculum and/or program development. This may be demonstrated in a variety of activities such as:
- Clinical Education Committee meetings.
- Other School of Rehabilitation Science committees.
- Clinical education policy development.
- Advisory capacity for clinical education program processes.
- Development and implementation of a clinical education program in a service agency.
- Engagement in planning and implementation of other School of Rehabilitation Science programs.
- Serving as a positive role model for students and demonstrating productive and
- Positive student-mentor relationships as attested by students.
Joyce Manton Award for Leadership & Professional Involvement
Awarded to a SPA member who has shown outstanding dedication to the profession through their leadership and/or professional involvement.
- Must be a member in good standing with CPA and SPA.
One or more of the following will be taken into consideration:
- History of volunteer activity with SPA or CPA (e.g., executive or related committees).
- Demonstrates unselfish dedication to the profession as a whole, over and above personal interests.
- History of being regarded as a good spokesperson for the profession, representing the interests of all physiotherapists.
- Considered by other physiotherapists to be a role model of professional behaviour, or motivates others to become involved in professional activities.
Continuing Education in Rehabilitation Science (CERS) Award of Merit
Awarded annually to a Saskatchewan physical therapist who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment of time, energy, and effort to promote continuing education for the physiotherapy profession.
- Must be a member in good standing with the SCPT.
- PT’s holding membership in CPA and SPA will be given preference.
One or more of the following will be taken into consideration:
- Has shown a history of pursuing continuing education within his/her physiotherapy career.
- Has been responsible for organizing or promoting continuing education.
- Has been a volunteer within the CERS program (committee member, on-site manager, etc).
- Has been an instructor for continuing physical therapy education courses.
Special Recognition Award
To recognize an organization, association, agency or member of the community whose goals reflect those of our profession.
- Any SPA member may make nominations.
Unique Initiative Award
Awarded to a physical therapist or group of physical therapists that have shown initiative to contribute to health care in an innovative or unique way. This award is meant to be considered when an opportunity to recognize an extraordinary effort has presented itself, not necessarily on an annual basis.
- Must be a member or group of members in good standing with CPA/SPA.
For groups, at least 50% of the representatives must be CPA/SPA members and must be actively participating in the field of physiotherapy. One or more of the following must apply:
- Has/have shown an effort to go “above and beyond” in order to create new projects providing health care to individuals who normally could not receive benefits.
- Has/have shown enthusiasm to promote new learning opportunities for health care providers or for health care clients.
- Has/have created new, reciprocal relationships with groups that benefit health care clients or their providers. This can include fundraising or mentorship. Some examples include: Shinerama, Jingle Bell Run, Joints in Motion.
Award of Merit for Research
A current SPA member, who has (individually or in conjunction with other personnel) initiated and/or participated in research as stated above. This research may be in published or presented form. Qualifying research can be done by faculty members, graduate students, administrators, or clinicians. The committee will attempt to informally ensure that the award be rotated among these groups from year to year when this opportunity presents itself.
The spirit of this award is to particularly recognize research that has the potential to affect clinical practice. In addition, special consideration will be given to those individuals who have done one or both of the following:
- Pursued research over and above their usual job duties.
- Participated in a formal process of evidence-based practice and shown willingness to share results with the profession in a written or presented form.
Any SPA member may make nominations.
Nominations must be submitted in written form and must include:
- Name and contact information of nominator.
- Name and contact information for nominee.
- Name and contact information of a seconder who would support the nomination.
- One letter from the nominator outlining how the individual meets the criteria as stated above.
- Outline of the nature of the research, an abstract of the research or a copy of the publication, if the research is published.
- CV or resume of the nominee (optional).