AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Olive C. Farr Distinguished Service Award

This award is the highest honor bestowed on a PT member of the Association. It is named in memory of Olive C. Farr, whose bequest in 1983 to the Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation provides scholarships and loans to students enrolled in Iowa physical therapy education programs.

Olive Farr was born Sept. 22, 1895, in Waverly, Iowa, and was educated at Cedar Falls Teachers College (where she also taught), the University of Iowa where she graduated in 1922 with a degree in physical education, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison where she received her certificate in physical therapy.

After eight years as a clinician, she became the first director of the physical therapy education program at the University of Iowa where she remained until retirement in 1963. She served as president of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association from 1946 to 1948.

View current and past Olive C. Farr Award recipients.

Physical Therapist Assistant Distinguished Service Award

This award recognizes someone who has made a significant contribution to the clinical or scholarly growth and advancement of the profession.

Max Shelton Friend of APTA Iowa Award

The Max Shelton Friend of Iowa Physical Therapy award recognizes individuals or organizations other than PTs/PTAs for exceptional service to the physical therapy profession in Iowa. It is named in honor of Max Shelton who was the founder of what is now the Shelton-DeHaan Company. Max was a vendor of physical therapy supplies for many years, he became a friend and supporter of our profession and played an active role in the development of the physical therapy profession in Iowa as both a patron and benefactor.

View current and past Max Shelton Friend of APTA Iowa Award recipients.

Nomination Form for the Olive C. Farr or Max Shelton Award 

Clinical Research Award

This award recognizes achievement in clinical research in physical therapy.

Olive C. Farr Scholarship

The Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation established an annual physical therapist student scholarship in 1983. An annual physical therapist assistant student scholarship was established by the IPTF in 1995 which was initially funded by a contribution from physical therapists Steven and Susan Bell. In 2010 the IPTF increased these awards so that each year four physical therapist student scholarships and one physical therapist assistant student scholarship are awarded. The scholarships are made possible by a bequest to the Foundation from Olive C. Farr, PT, the first director of the physical therapy education program at the University of Iowa.

The scholarships will be awarded to student members of the American Physical Therapy Association enrolled in accredited Iowa PT/PTA education programs who have concluded the first year of their accredited entry-level Iowa program. Award of the scholarships will be based on demonstrated scholarship, potential for professional contributions and leadership qualities.

Access additional details and how to apply.

View current and past Olive C. Farr Scholarship recipients.