This year physical therapy schools from Delaware were among the 79 schools that participated in the 2021-2022 VCU-Marquette Challenge to raise $170,221.98 in support of the Foundation of Physical Therapy Research (FPTR). FPTR wishes to thank the students of the University of Delaware for their strong support of the Challenge. Together these Delaware schools raised $20,050.04. Since its inception in 1989, over 300 different schools have participated in the Challenge, raising over $4.6 million for research.
The Marquette Challenge is student-led fundraising effort to advance the mission of FPTR. Although this year there were still barriers due to the ongoing pandemic, hundreds of physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students found inventive ways to hold events across the U.S to fund physical therapy research and advance their future profession. Over the years, this support has helped FPTR fund more than 650 researchers nationwide. FPTR remains appreciative of the commitment of PT students from Delaware in supporting physical therapy research.
The top fundraising schools for 2021-2022 include:
- 1st place: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- 2nd place: The University of Delaware
- 3rd place: The University of Miami
For the 3rd year in a row, the first-place winner of the Challenge was Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) by raising $23,054. FPTR welcomes VCU to co-host the 2022-2023 Marquette Challenge. Although there is a friendly competition between schools, participation at any level is what matters. We would like to thank all the participating schools for their hard work this year. A recording of the 2022 FPTR Awards Ceremony can be viewed here: https://marquettechallenge.com/
The Challenge supports grants, scholarships, and a rigorous peer review process. This research funding is an investment in the physical therapy profession. In addition to improving care, research shows the value of physical therapy to patients and payers alike. Every aspect of physical therapy – from education to practice – is bolstered by quality research. Our research propels innovation that helps people get better faster.
Brad Corr of Boys Town National Research Hospital is the recipient of the $40,000 2021 VCU-Marquette Challenge Grant. His trial “Powering Through Transition: Therapeutic Power Training for Adolescents and Adults with Cerebral Palsy” will examine Therapeutic Power Training as a way to optimize mobility for adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy. The Challenge also funds a PODS scholarship, which this year will be awarded to Chris Lane at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his project “Preventing Disability after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury: Examining Opportunities in those at Greatest Risk”.
Please join me and other students in supporting the 2022-2023 VCU-Marquette Challenge
Faculty and students in the state of Delaware are encouraged to visit the Marquette Challenge website at marquettechallenge.com to learn how they can support FPTR and physical therapy research through the 2022-2023 VCU-Marquette Challenge.
About the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research was established in 1979 as the only national, independent nonprofit organization solely dedicated to funding physical therapy research. Since its inception, FPTR has awarded more than $20 million in research grants, fellowships, and scholarships to more than 665 promising researchers. Many of today’s leading physical therapy researchers, clinicians, and academicians began their careers with this support. Foundation-funded researchers have gone on to secure more than $894 million in follow-on funding. www.foundation4pt.org/donate