Dr. Nancy Fell honored by the American Physical Therapy Association

Dr. David Levine, Dr. Nancy Fell, and Dr. Debbie Ingram at APTA

This June, Dr. Nancy Fell, UC Foundation Professor, Physical Therapy, received well-deserved recognition from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) with their Lucy Blair Service Award. 

“The Lucy Blair Service Award is a major professional moment and acknowledgement of my 29 year physical therapist career.  I am very humbled to receive such high recognition from my peers and professional association. In my mind it goes without saying, but perhaps it is worth being explicit: In all of my years of professional service, I have received much more than I have given,” Fell said.

Fell has been a member of the University’s physical therapy faculty since 1995. She has demonstrated sustained service and leadership to the physical therapy profession at multiple levels.

Her leadership roles within APTA include serving as secretary and speaker to the the Tennessee Chapter, representative on the Chapter’s board of directors, and East District Chair. She has also served on numerous committees and programs, including APTA’s Annual Conference Program Committee, the Advances in Stroke Rehabilitation Program, the Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and the Brain Injury Specialist Group, among others.

“I am honored to receive the Lucy Blair Service Award. It is a privilege to serve the physical therapy profession. I extend my appreciation to the clinical and faculty teams at St. Louis University and Washington University in St. Louis, as they planted the seeds for service early in my career. My service would not have been possible without support from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coworkers. Dr. Debbie Ingram is my steadfast mentor and friend. The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy has had a profound impact on my career, with many colleagues providing support and encouragement.”

Fell Continued, “I also thank those individuals who made this nomination: Drs. David Levine, Ann VanSant, Carole Tucker, Karen McCulloch, and Cathy Hinton; your support letters brought tears to my eyes. And last, but certainly not least, I thank my wonderful family, who have willingly shared our time because they know how important physical therapy is to me.”