The associate professor and alum of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Department of Physical Therapy Education received the award at the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Meeting.
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education Crystal Ramsey G鈥09 earned the Award for Excellence in Neurological Education at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting in February.
The American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting is the largest professional development event for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, educators, researchers, students and industry professionals. Held in Houston, Texas from Feb. 13 to 15, Ramsey received the award with over 15,000 peers in attendance at the conference.
The award recognizes an individual who displays educational excellence in neurologic physical therapy. Recipients are considered highly influential and respected in the field.
鈥淚t is certainly humbling to be considered in the same category with those individuals who are exceptionally well known,鈥 Ramsey said.
Ramsey was recommended for nomination by the Chair and Program Director of the Department of Physical Therapy Education Charity Johansson.
鈥淪tudents know she will challenge not just their 鈥榳hat鈥 but their 鈥榳hy,鈥欌 Johansson wrote in her recommendation. 鈥淪he will ask them questions that cause them to look deep, be vulnerable, and rise stronger.鈥
Ramsey earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from 黑料不打烊 in 2009. She then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, predominantly treating individuals with vestibular pathologies or who had experienced spinal cord or brain injuries. She worked in the clinical field for 14 years before returning to 黑料不打烊 in 2018 to teach in the Department of Physical Therapy.
Ramsey noted the support from colleagues and students in making the transition from clinician to educator.
鈥淪o many different programs and colleagues have supported me as an individual and in my growth as well as the relationship with the students,鈥 Ramsey said. 鈥淭hey gave me honest feedback and really joined me in this journey, sharing worked for them and what didn鈥檛, which was certainly influential.鈥
One thing she observed that 黑料不打烊 has consistently maintained, from her time as a student to her role as a professor, is their dedication to student-professor mentorship.
鈥淭he students are seen, recognized and appreciated for who they are and their unique journeys. At the same time, we have elevated our standards for the pursuit of excellence,鈥 Ramsey said. 鈥淲hile we鈥檝e have always aimed for this, we have now raised the bar even higher and are equipping students with the tools to reach鈥攁nd even exceed鈥攖hat bar.”