[8] Under her direction, the program opened at the University of Colorado Boulder campus with six baccalaureate students who graduated 12 months later with a Certificate in Physical Therapy.

[12][13] Ms. Hoag initially guided students to earn a certificate in Physical Therapy and eventually advanced the program to offer a Bachelor’s degree in the profession.

Subsequent Program Directors following Ms. Hoag’s retirement included James Clinkingbeard (1972-1977), Elizabeth Barnett (1978-1987), and Marcia Smith (1987-1988).

[16] This early period of the program’s history is marked by the cessation of the Certificate in Physical Therapy by 1968 and an expansion of the student cohort to 36 people by 1986.

Dr. Pauline Cerasoli (known as “Polly” to friends and colleagues) assumed the role of Program Director and Assistant Dean of Allied Health in 1988 and led the effort to progress to a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.

The last year of Dr. Cerasoli’s tenure as Director was notable for conferring the Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree to 61 graduates during the program’s 50th anniversary.

Dr. Cerasoli’s time as Program Director prematurely ended due to critical injuries sustained during an attack by an unknown assailant while attending the APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Atlanta in 1996.

The award recognizes individuals with significant contributions toward the academic or clinical education of student physical therapists at the University of Colorado.

Leaders, educators, and practitioners in the field of physical therapy who share the insightful, sensitive, and caring nature embodied by Dr. Cerasoli continue to be recognized through the lectureship series.

[16] The Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program has grown into a competitive academic unit that includes federally funded Principal Investigators and trainees who consistently garner scholarship support from the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research.

[34][6] During the program’s 75th anniversary year, approval was granted to establish a DPT-MPH dual degree track in partnership with the Colorado School of Public Health.

Principal instruction of the program curriculum for Hybrid Pathway students occurs at the Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center in Colorado Springs.

Transitioning from the Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Physical Therapy degree increased the lengths of clinical education and individual experiences.

CU Physical Therapy Program Professor, Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, was recognized as the 3rd highest ranked Principal Investigator in the U.S. for federal funding within a PM&R Department.

The CU Anschutz Medical Campus established the Joanne Posner-Mayer Endowed Chair in Physical Therapy at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2019.

[55] Over $275,000 in Doctor of Physical Therapy student scholarships are disbursed annually due to program benefactors, alumni, and support from the School of Medicine.