Since 1972, the Illinois Physical Therapy Association presents several awards to recognize the efforts of clinicians, educators and leaders toward the advancement of the physical therapy profession. Below is a list of alumni of the Physical Therapy Program and members of the RFU community who have been honored. 

• 1979 Virginia Daniel, MA, RPT | Outstanding Physical Therapist
• 1998 Beth Coulson, PT, MBA | Physical Therapist of the Year
• 2003 James Dayhuff, MS | Outstanding Physical Therapist
• 2005 Vicki Lee, PT ’79, MAPT, C/NDT | Physical Therapist of the Year
• 2008 Jennifer Ryan, PT, DPT '04, MS '02, CCS | Physical Therapist of the Year
• 2009 Judith Stoecker, PT, PhD | Outstanding Physical Therapist
• 2010 Giovanni Berardi, PT, DPT '10, PhD, OCS | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2010 Jeffrey Damaschke, PT, DPT '04, PhD, MS '03 | Emerging Leader Award
• 2011 Donna Frownfelter, PT, DPT '03, MA, CCS, RRT, FCCP | Babette Sanders Leadership & Service
• 2011 Kristen Smigelski, PT, DPT '11 | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2014 Joseph Hanley, PT, DPT '14, MHA | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2016 Meghan Simonetti-Deters, PT, DPT '14, MS '14 | Emerging Leader Award
• 2016 Dawn Stackowicz, PT, DPT '14, MS, CCS | Clinical Educator of the Year
• 2016 Lauren Toner, PT, DPT '16, OCS | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2017 Erin DeMarco, PT, DPT '17 | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2017 Julie Schwertfeger PT, DPT '16, PhD '20, MBA, CBIST | Babette Sanders Leadership & Service
• 2017 K. Michael Welch, MB, ChB, FRCP | John Maselter Award
• 2020 Sarah Haag, PT, DPT '07, MS '08 | Outstanding Physical Therapist Clinician Award
• 2020 Jennifer Kehler, DPT '20 | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2020 Dale Schuit, PT, PhD, MS | Babette Sanders Leadership & Service
• 2021 Ann Jackson, PT, DPT '07, MPH | Societal Impact Award
• 2022 Yvette Ramirez, DPT '22 | Outstanding Physical Therapist Student
• 2023 Jennifer Ryan, PT, DPT '04, MS '02, CCS | Babette Sanders Leadership & Service
• 2023 Joseph Hanley, PT, DPT '14, MHA | Emerging Leader
• 2024 Jeffery A. Damaschke, DPT '04, MS '03, PhD, OCS | Babette Sanders Leadership & Service