PT Faculty Spotlight Archive

Dr. Kolber Awarded the 2021 APTA Dorothy Baethke-Eleanor Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching

Congratulations to NSU PT faculty Morey J. Kolber, PT, PhD, OCS, CSCS*D, Cert. MDT who was awarded the 2021 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Dorothy Baethke-Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching. This award is given to clinical or academic educators who have been actively engaged for a minimum of 5 years in entry and/or advanced levels of formal education for upcoming physical therapist professionals. Recipients exhibit exceptional teaching effectiveness in the academic setting; a distinct expertise in at least 1 subject area to which the academic teaching has been directed; and excellence as a role model for academic teaching for students, faculty, and clinicians. Congratulations to Dr. Kolber on this well-deserved award!

Dr. Canbek Awarded Achievement Award from Alma Mater, Maryville University

NSU DPT faculty member and program director, Dr. Canbek was awarded the 2021 Helen May Bradley Achievement Award from her alma mater, Maryville University. This award, in memory of Helen May Bradley, recognizes an individual’s outstanding achievement to physical therapy in the areas of expert clinician, professional, reflective practitioner and educator. Helen May Bradley, the first physical therapist from Missouri, demonstrated exceptional dedication to her country and profession during her career. During WWI, she was a reconstruction aide; the pioneers of the physical therapy profession. Dr. Canbek, considered by physical therapy faculty as a trailblazer for the profession, was chosen because of her impact on others to change practice as well as for leaving a legacy on the profession through her mentoring and education of future clinicians and those in academia. Congratulations Dr. Canbek on this well-deserved award.

Dr. Tovin Awarded with PCHCS Faculty Excellence in Service Award

NSU DPT faculty member Dr. Tovin was awarded with Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Faculty Excellence in Service Award at a virtual awards ceremony on August 13, 2021. Dr. Tovin is committed to the PT profession and community at large through the Fit for Friends community initiative and other wellness programs. Congratulations to Dr. Tovin, on this well deserved recognition.

Dr. Fernandez-Fernandez Awarded with PCHCS Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award

NSU DPT faculty member Dr. Fernandez-Fernandez was awarded with Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award at a virtual awards ceremony on August 13, 2021. Dr. Fernandez-Fernandez demonstrates innovative strategies to promote student learning both online and in the classroom. She continues to promote her own lifelong learning through scholarship and service to the Physical Therapy profession. Congratulations, Dr. Fernandez-Fernandez, on this well deserved recognition.

Dr. Rania Massad Winner of the 2021 FPTA Neurology SIG Outstanding Educator Award

Congratulations to Dr. Rania Massad, winner of the 2021 FPTA Neurology SIG Outstanding Educator Award. This award recognizes a physical therapist who has devoted their time, knowledge, and expertise to developing and guiding current and future clinicians in the specialty of neurologic physical therapy. This is accomplished by demonstrating a positive impact in the professional development of physical therapists toward neurologic physical therapy and exhibiting a desire to further neurologic physical therapy through advocation of evidence-based research, effective inter-professional communication, development of educational courses/opportunities, and personal/professional development. Dr. Massad teaches in the neurological curriculum of the professional DPT program, mentors entry-level students during Integrated Clinical Education (ICE) experiences with patients who have neurological disorders, and is the coordinator of the NSU Neurological Residency Program. Congratulations, Dr. Massad!

Dr. Morey Kolber Awarded the 2020 Provost's Research and Scholarship Award

Congratulations to Dr. Morey J. Kolber, PT, PhD, OCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS*D who was awarded the 10th Annual Provost’s Research and Scholarship Award. This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated significant achievement in support of NSU's mission to foster scholarship, intellectual inquiry, and academic excellence. Research and scholarship are two of NSU's eight core values, and excellence in these areas enhances education, patient care, and public service, and develops superior scholarship. To learn more and view the video award presentation, visit https://www.nova.edu/academic-affairs/provost-award/past-winners.html.

Dr. Heather Hettrick Awarded the 2020 Alpha Eta Scholarship Award

The Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society awarded Heather Hettrick, PT, PhD, CWS, AWCC, CLT-LANA, CLWT, CORE the Richard E. Davis Scholarship Award on August 13, 2020 at the annual CAPE Awards Ceremony. Dr. Hettrick has published multiple peer reviewed projects and is involved in multiple ongoing scholarly projects. Educational research interests reside in game-based education and experiential learning for pedagogy, as well as creating and utilizing technology to enhance teaching and learning. Her clinical research interests center on integumentary related dysfunction, including lymphedema and chronic wounds. She is exploring the application of forensic science to wound management as well as conducting comparative pathology research between sea turtles and humans exhibiting papillomatosis. Congratulations to Dr. Hettrick on this wonderful accomplishment!

Dr. Morey Kolber Awarded the 2019 James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award

Congratulations to Dr. Morey Kolber on receiving the 2019 James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This award is given to a teaching faculty member who is a current member of the AOPT and who demonstrates excellence in teaching such as excellence in instructional methods, presentation techniques, planning and organizational skills, and the ability to motivate students; Instructional techniques are intellectually challenging and promote retention of necessary knowledge and skills; demonstrates an ability to relate academic knowledge to clinical practice; and devotes the majority of his professional career to student education. Dr. Kolber accepted the award at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Denver, Colorado in February 2020. (Pictured Left to Right: Paul Salamh, PT, DPT, PhD; Morey J. Kolber, PT, PhD, OCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS*D; William Hanney, PT, DPT, PhD, ATC)

Dr. Mary Blackinton Awarded the 2019 Alpha Eta Leadership Award

Dr. Blackinton was awarded the 2019 Alpha Eta Leadership Award at the Professional Excellence (CAPE) awards ceremony on August 16, 2019. Dr. Blackinton has been a long-standing member of the NSU family and has demonstrated great leadership as faculty, Transition DPT Director, and Hybrid DPT Director. She is also on the Board of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT). Congratulations to Dr. Blackinton on this distinguished award!

Dr. Olivencia Awarded the 2019 PCHCS Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Ovidio Olivencia was awarded the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award 2019 at the Center for Academic and Professional Excellence (CAPE) awards ceremony on August 16, 2019. Dr. Olivencia teaches a variety of courses in the DPT program at NSU including Clinical Anatomy for PTs, Essentials of Exercise Physiology, Health Promotion and Wellness, and instructs in the Musculoskeletal course series. Congratulations to Dr. Olivencia on this accomplishment! Pictured L to R: Dean Stanley H. Wilson, PT, EdD, CEAS; Olivencia, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Debbie Stern Wins 2019 Alpha Eta Service Award

The Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society awarded Dr. Debbie Stern the Richard E. Davis Service Award on August 16, 2019 at the annual CAPE Awards Ceremony. Dr. Stern is involved in multiple service ongoing projects, including IDEA project for people with diabetes. In addition she is co-leader of the service learning curriculum in the DPT program at NSU. Congratulations to Dr. Stern on this wonderful accomplishment! Picture L to R: Lorilee H. Butler, DHSc, MPAS, MEd, PA-C; Dean Stanley H. Wilson, PT, EdD, CEAS; Debra Stern, PT, DPT, MSM, DBA, CLT, CEEAA

Drs. Hill and Kolber Awarded for Excellence at Fall FPTA Conference 2018

Congratulations to Drs. Hill and Kolber for their recognition at the annual Fall Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) conference on September 29th 2018. Dr. Cheryl Hill was awarded the FPTA Legacy Award. This award is bestowed on a PT nominated by peers to acknowledge and honor a lasting and meaningful impact to the FPTA. Dr Hill has been an active member of and l ead in the FPTA for 30 years. Dr. Morey Kolber was honored with the FPTA Excellence in Academic Teaching Award. Dr. Kolber was recognized for his exceptional teaching effectiveness in an academic setting; excellence as a role model for academic teaching for students, faculty, and clinicians and his expertise in musculoskeletal PT. Congratulations!

Dr.Morey Kolber Serves as Grand Marshall at 2018 NSU Graduation Ceremony

Congratulations to Dr. Morey Kolber, who served as Grand Marshal and Mace bearer for the August 17 Nova Southeastern University Graduation ceremony. Dr. Kolber (pictured on left) was invited by Dr. Hanbury (pictured on right), President of Nova Southeastern University, to serve this role as a result of receiving the Distinguished Faculty of Excellence award for 2017. Congratulations to Dr. Kolber for this prestigious honor!

Dr. Timothy Miller Nominated for CHCS Distinguished Professor of the Year

On August 17, 2018, Dr. Tim Miller, faculty in the Tampa Hybrid DPT program received honorable mention for his nomination for College of Health Care Sciences (CHCS) Distinguished Professor of the Year. This award is bestowed upon a faculty member who exhibits high levels of performance in all 3 pillars of academia - teaching, scholarship, and service. Dean Wilson congratulated Dr. Miller on his achievements which led to this nomination. Congratulations to Dr. Miller on the prestigious nomination. (Pictured L to R: Dr. Stanley Wilson,Ed.D., PT, CEAS; Dr. Timothy Miller,PT, DPT, GCS)

Dr. Melissa Tovin Wins 2018 Alpha Eta Service Award

The Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society awarded Dr. Melissa Tovin the Richard E. Davis Service Award on August 17, 2018 at the annual CAPE Awards Ceremony. Dr. Tovin is involved in multiple service ongoing projects, including Special Olympics.