Dr. Carol A. Oatis, Professor of Physical Therapy, was presented with the 2011 Lloyd M. Abernethy Faculty Outstanding Service Award at Graduate Commencement in May.

Announcing the selection of Oatis as this year’s recipient, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steve O. Michael stated: “As her faculty colleagues noted in their nomination letters, Dr. Oatis has consistently and graciously provided her expertise, energy, and time to students, faculty, administration and her profession throughout her 29 years at the University. She is highly regarded as an educator by the physical therapist students having received the Christian R and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and she continues to be held in high esteem by each of the subsequent classes.

“During her tenure at Arcadia, Carol has been elected to nearly every major committee within the University, including Faculty Council, Promotion and Tenure, and Graduate Academic Planning, in addition to being appointed to many other committees and Task Forces. In her role as President for Arcadia’s chapter of the American Association for University Professors and during her nearly continuous appointment to the Faculty Compensation Committee, she campaigned arduously for her fellow faculty. Most recently she worked with others to define faculty workload and to develop a rationale system for merit. In each of these activities, she has been a strong advocate for faculty recognition and appropriate compensation related to salary and benefits.

“In addition to her outstanding and sustained service to the University, Carol has played an active role in several professional organizations having served in a wide variety of appointed and elected positions. Since 1997, she has been actively involved in the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, serving in many positions including as te President in 2004-2005. She also has served on the Board of Directors for the American College of Rheumatology as well as its Research and Educatin Foundation and the National and Southeastern District of the Arthritis Foundation where she has served as a grant reviewer.

“Dr. Oatis has also been actively involved with the American Physical Therapy Association, serving on several task forces and committees. She was elected as the Secretary to the Section on Research, of APTA, from 1993 to 1997. On the national level, she served on editorial boards for three journals: Physical Therapy Practice, Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Arthritis Care and Research. She has served in an advisory role for the Charcot Marie Tooth Association since 1985 and been a member of the Medical Advisory Board since 1990.

“With this extraordinary record of unselfish contributions to the University and National recognition for scholarship, service and leadership it is a pleasure to present the 2011 Lloyd M. Abernethy Faculty Outstanding Service Award to Dr. Carol Oatis, and to wish her many more productive years as a faculty member at Arcadia University,” concluded Michael.