The history of the Foundation for Physical Therapy begins with visionaries who sought to advance the science of physical therapy. In 1954, Mildred Elson first thought of the idea of a physical therapy tax-exempt fund. In 1957, the Physical Therapy Fund was incorporated.
In 1977, Charles Magistro, PT, FAPTA, envisioned a new path to advance the physical therapy profession through research. He led the effort to transform the existing Physical Therapy Fund into a dedicated charitable organization: the Foundation for Physical Therapy. With his leadership, in 1979, the corporation amended its certificate of incorporation by changing its name to the Foundation for Physical Therapy, Inc, and making certain other changes. To help establish the Foundation, APTA members contributed $15 each, providing essential seed funding.
1950 – 1979
1980 – 1989
The “Goldrush Night” dinner dance in Las Vegas, emceed by Francis X. Guglielmo, PT, raises $175,939 for research through auctions and games.
1990 – 1999
- The Foundation funds the first Clinical Research Center at the University of Iowa with $200,000 per year for three years. The Center’s purpose is to develop methodologies that document the clinical effectiveness of physical therapy interventions.
- John H.P. Maley receives the inaugural Charles M. Magistro Distinguished Service Award for outstanding leadership as Chair of the Foundation’s Development Committee.
- The Marquette Challenge exceeds $1 million raised for physical therapy research.
- The Charles M. Magistro Endowment is established with a $100,000 gift from Charles M. Magistro, PT, FAPTA.
- The Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships are established.
2000 – 2009
Foundation creates Clinical Research Network, a 3-year, $1.5 million, multi-site study to 4 areas:
- PEDALS – Pediatric Endurance Development and Limb Strengthening
- MUSSEL – Muscle-Specific Strengthening Effectiveness Post Lumbar Microdiscectomy
- STOMPS – Strengthening and Optimal Movements for Painful Shoulders in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
- STEPS – Strength-training Effectiveness Post-Stroke
Carolee Winstein, PT, PhD serves as principal investigator.
2004
25th Anniversary marked. More than 400 PT researchers had received $10 million in Foundation funding since 1979.
APTA’s Delaware Chapter launches the Delaware Challenge, calling on all 52 chapters to donate at least $2 per member to the Foundation.
A $1 million gift from Charles M. Magistro, PT, FAPTA, and family is added to the Magistro Endowment Fund.
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section
- Education Section
- Geriatrics Section
- Neurology Section
- Orthopaedic Section
- Private Practice Section
- Women’s Health Section
In total, over $5 million was raised with additional donations from corporations, individual donors, and other chapters and sections, exceeding the campaign’s goal by $1 million.
The Foundation extends funding for doctoral scholarships and research grants to include Physical Therapist Assistants.
2008
The first Premier Partner in Research Award is presented to Tri W-G Group, Inc. for its consistent financial support and personal commitment of Vice President Duane Fast, Foundation Trustee.
2010 – 2019
Fueled by the 2013 campaign, a multi-year grant provides funding for the Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR), led by principal investigator Linda Resnik, PT, PhD, FAPTA.
The Foundation receives its largest bequest to date—$1.6 million—from Magdalen Goergeny, PT, a Life Member of APTA since 1972, and her husband Emil.
2016
The first Chair and founder of the Foundation, Charles M. Magistro, PT, DPT (hon), DrSci (hon), FAPTA, passes away at age 91.
Two funds are created to support research in physical therapy education:
- Mildred L. Wood Endowment Fund: Mildred L. Wood, PhD left a bequest of over $115,000 to the Foundation.
- Bella J. May Scholarship Fund: Bella J. May, PT, EdD, CEEAA, FAPTA left a planned gift of $100,000 to the Foundation
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) establish an endowment fund.
The Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy pledges a major gift to support acute care physical therapy research.
Stanley Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FAAOMPT, and his wife, Catherine Patla, PT, DHSc, MS, OCS, MTC, FAAOMPT, donate $3 million to establish the Paris Patla Endowment Fund to support any area of physical therapy research.
- The Academy of Education pledges $500,000 to continue building their endowment fund.
- The Foundation rebrands from the Foundation for Physical Therapy to the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research to better reflect its research-focused mission.
2020 – Present
The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy pledges a major gift of $110,000 to fund neurology-centric physical therapy research grants. A generous bequest of $140,000 from Isabelle Bohman will supplement this fund.
The Estate of Jim McKillip, PT, FAPTA, leaves $200,000 bequest directed to the Magistrow Endowment Fund.
The Foundation celebrates 45 years of advancing physical therapy research, with over 700 researchers and doctoral students supported through more than $24 million in awards.