Dr. Cathie Smith, UC Foundation Associate Professor and Vanderbilt Professor in the UTC Department of Physical Therapy, has been elected to receive the National Association of Neonatal Therapist’s inaugural Pioneer Award for Neonatal Therapy.
The award was created to honor neonatal occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists who have contributed tirelessly to establish and advance the specialized field of neonatal therapy.
Nominations for the award were solicited from clinicians across the United States and Europe from the disciplines of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language pathology.
All three of these disciplines have contributed significantly to the development of best practice standards for therapy services in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, making this recognition even more significant for Smith.
“Dr. Cathie Smith is a recognized expert in pediatric physical therapy, particularly for her work in the neonatal intensive care units,” said Dr. Debbie Ingram, Interim Head of the UTC Department of Physical Therapy, Director of Clinical Education, and UC Foundation Professor.
In addition to receiving the 2015 NANT Pioneer Award, Smith was also selected to receive the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association 2015 PT Educator of the Year award.
“It is a great benefit for our students to have a professor with national and state recognition. On behalf of our faculty, we are very proud of the recent honors awarded to Dr. Smith,” Ingram added.
Since 2000, Smith has been conducting neonatal research. Her work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations.
Smith earned the Outstanding Service/Outreach Award, UTC College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies in April 2014. The Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal has appointed Smith as expert content reviewer since 2005.
Way to go Cathie!!