Dr. Richard Nielsen with his wife Jodi and Marilyn Moffat
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is pleased to announce that Dr. Richard P. Nielsen received the Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the APTA’s NEXT Conference and Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland on Thursday. The award was presented to Dr. Nielsen by Dr. Moffat herself.
The Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award is given each year to recognize Physical Therapists who demonstrate positive leadership contributions in the Physical Therapy field for an extended period, which leave a lasting impact and measurable change in the development of the profession. Recipients of this award demonstrate exceptional leadership ability in Physical Therapy in extending service to the local community, the APTA and local components, international physical therapy organizations and appointed or elected positions.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nielsen has demonstrated significant, sustained contributions to the profession of physical therapy. This past week also marks the conclusion of a four-decade-long sterling clinical career as a physical therapy practitioner, contributing to the health and well-being of thousands of patients.
As President and co-founder of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Dr. Nielsen played a critical role in expanding the educational opportunities for established physical therapists by being among the first universities in the country to offer a transitional clinical doctorate. This was followed up by the creation of an accelerated, clinically enriched, entry-level physical therapy program which also leads to a doctorate degree. This significant leadership at a pivotal transition in the development of the profession has, and will continue to have, lasting positive impacts on the education of future physical therapist and on patient care.
Additionally, his exceptional dedication, along with longtime colleague and university co-founder Dr. Mike Skurja, to the education of the professional community with respect to the advancement and recognition of Clinical Electrophysiology cannot be overstated. Finally, Dr. Nielsen’s own track record of service and contribution to the common-good, is exemplary. He has traveled to Africa each year for more than 25 years, providing clinical care as well as materials, support and infrastructure for the development of schools and expansion of educational opportunities. The sum total of these significant contributions have led to measurable change- both in the realm of healthcare education and point of care impact. His nomination and selection for the Marilyn Moffat award is both deserving and reflective of this remarkable body of work in the area of physical therapy.
Look for a full write-up on this award in our next RMUpdate!
Click here to see past recipients of the Marilyn Moffat Leadership award.
DSc HPW student Rupal Patel also received an award at the ceremony.
