Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) Alumni Awards honor exceptional graduates who have made meaningful contributions to their professions, communities, and the broader world. As innovators, educators, and advocates, SHRS alumni embody the spirit of our school’s mission, and we are proud to celebrate those making a lasting impact.

During anniversary years, SHRS honors outstanding alumni for their impactful contributions to their fields, communities and beyond.

Nominations for the 55th Anniversary Alumni Awards are open!

This milestone celebration is an opportunity to recognize outstanding SHRS alumni who have made a significant impact in their fields, their communities, and beyond. We invite you to help us honor their achievements by submitting a nomination.

Deadline: May 30, 2025

Submit your nomination

Previous Awards

50th Anniversary Alumni Award Recipients (2020)

Distinguished Alumni Awards

  • Helen Agresti (BS ’00) – Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
  • Rochelle “Shelly” Chabon (PhD ’80) – Communication Science and Disorders
  • Larry Cooper (BS ’83) – Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
  • Megan Driscoll (MOT ’12)– Occupational Therapy
  • Catherine Getchell (MS ’04) – Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
  • Mohamed Hagahmed (BS ’09) – Emergency Medicine
  • David Jedlicka (BA ’06; MA ’09; AUD ’10; BA ’11) – Communication Science, Audiology
  • Jongbae Kim (PhD ’05) – Rehabilitation Science
  • Cynthia Miles (BS ’77) – Physical Therapy
  • Meagan Sampogna Williams (MS ’00) – Health Information Management

Humanitarian Award

  • Eliana C. Ferretti (MS ’03; PhD ’07)
  • Mary Lou Galantino (BS ’82)

Dean’s Choice

Kysha Harriell (BS ’96)

Philanthropy Award

David H. Perrin (PhD ’85)

Research Discovery Award

Ryan C. Branski (PhD ’05)

Rising Star Awards

  • Alexander Rodriquez Betancourt (BS ’11; MS ’13) – Rehabilitation Science, P&O
  • Maria Luisa Toro-Hernandez (MS ’11; PhD ’15) – Rehabilitation Technology, Rehabilitation Science
  • Michael Gans (BS ’02; DPT ’06) – Physical Therapy
  • Amanda Gillespie (MS ’05; PhD ’13) – Speech Language Pathology
  • Benjamin Gross (BS ’06; MOT ’10; CScD ’24) – Occupational Therapy
  • Kathryn Reed (BS ’14; MS ’16) – Emergency Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies

45th Anniversary Alumni Award Recipients (2015)

Distinguished Alumni Awards

  • David Algood (MS ’03) – Rehabilitation Science and Technology
  • David G. Greathouse (BAS ’69) – Physical Therapy
  • Amy Hancock (BS ’89) – Occupational Therapy
  • Laurine M. Johnson (BS ’81, MS ’88) – Health Information Management
  • Patricia A. Prelock (PhD 1983) – Communication Science and Disorders
  • Heather A. Prunty (BS ’02) – Emergency Medicine
  • Curtis (Tony) Anthoni Sanks (BS ’89) – Athletic Training
  • Janice K. Schneider (BS ’91) – Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
  • Alyson D’Ambrosio Stover (BS ’03; MOT ’05; JD ’11) – Undergraduate Program in Rehabilitation Science

Dean’s Choice

Therese M. Willkomm (PhD ’97)

Philanthropy Award

Joseph M. David (BS ’86; BS ’88; MS ’88)

40th Anniversary Alumni Award Recipients (2010)

Distinguished Alumni Awards

  • Julianna M. Arva (MS ’00) – Rehabilitation Science and Technology
  • John T. Bianco (BS ’98) – Emergency Medicine
  • Teresa L. Bringinger (MS ’03; PhD ’05) – Occupational Therapy
  • Denise Dunyak (BS ’81; MSIS ’86) – Health Information Management
  • Rachel M. Harken (BS ’95) – Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
  • Laurence B. Leonard (PhD ’73) – Communication Science and Disorders
  • K. Ashley McFall (BS ’03; MS ’05) – Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Robert W. Richardson (BAS ’59; MED ’75) – Physical Therapy
  • Rosemarie Rumanek Romesburg (BS ’72; MSHYG ’77, PhD ’87) – Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • Charles Buz Swanik (MS ’95; PhD ’98) – Athletic Training/Sports Medicine

Humanitarian Award

Denise English (BS ’73)

Dean’s Choice

Ophelia Munn-Goins (MS ’93)

Philanthropy Award

Paralyzed Veterans of America

35th Anniversary Alumni Award Recipients (2005)

Distinguished Alumni Awards

  • Richard Bowling (BAS ’66; MS ’81) – Physical Therapy
  • Judith Lomakin Dodd (MS ’84) – Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
  • Guy Guimond (BS ’02; MS ’05, MS ’13) – Emergency Medicine
  • Jack Katz (PhD ’62) – Audiology
  • David Perrin (PhD ’85) – Sports Medicine/Athletic Training
  • Audrey Holland Reinmuch (BS ’55; MS ’59; PhD ’61) – Speech Language Pathology
  • Sean Shimada (PhD ’97; MSBEG ’00) – Rehabilitation Science and Technology
  • Neil Szuminsky (MS ’76; MS ’80) – Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • Pamela Bandalo Toto (BS ’89; MS ’96, PhD ’10) – Occupational Therapy
  • Valerie Magliocca Watzlaf (BS ’79, MPH ’85, PhD ’90) – Health Information Management

Dean’s Choice

Peter M. DeComo (BS ’77; MS ’80)

Philanthropy Award

Anne Pascasio (BA ’46, MED ’50, BAS ’53, PhD ’67)

25th Anniversary Alumni Award Recipients (1995)

Distinguished Alumni Awards

  • Lynn C. (Snyder) Hecht (BS ’76; MS ’83) – Health Information Management
  • Jay Irrgang (BS ’77; MS ’90; PhD ’99) – Physical Therapy
  • Juliet (Mengon) Mancino (BS ’83; MS ’93) – Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
  • Valerie (Hairston) McDonald (BS ’77; MS ’79) – Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • Wendy (Nice) Toplak (BS ’85; MBA ’85) – Occupational Therapy

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