Lisa Stehno-Bittel, PhD, BS’83
Dr. Lisa Stehno-Bittel was the featured speaker at.the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training’s annual Jessie Ball Lecture and Student Awards/Pinning Ceremony on October 5, 2023.

Lisa Mische Lawson, PhD’06
Dr. Lisa Mische Lawson, CTRS, director of the School of Health Profession’s doctoral program in therapeutic science, is the recipient of its Faculty Practice Travel Grant for fall 2023. It will support her participation at the World Leisure Congress to be held December 11-15 in Dunedin, New Zealand. While there, she will present scholarship and facilitate activities as leader of the World Leisure Organization's Diversity, Access and Inclusion Special Interest Group.

Stephen D. Jernigan, PhD'11, MS'01
Dr. Jernigan is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. This award recognizes and rewards demonstrated teaching ability of a clearly superlative nature. The award was presented at an inaugural University Teaching Awards ceremony in the Kansas Union on the Lawrence campus on November 7, 2023.

Ming Xu, PhD’11
Dr. Ming Xu has received the 2023 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award in Aging Research from the American Federation for Aging Research. The 2011 graduate of KU’s doctoral program in rehabilitation science is currently an assistant professor at UConn Center on Aging and the Department of Genetics & Genome Sciences at UConn School of Medicine.

Blake Spanjer, OTD’22
Blake Spanjer, OTD’22, was selected by the Foundation of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers for the Susan E. Bennett Rehabilitation Training Program next spring in Calgary, Canada. This program includes a scholarship and is designed to stimulate excellence and growth in the delivery of rehabilitation in the field of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Spanjer is a clinical instructor in the Department of Occupational Therapy Education at the KU School of Health Professions.

Katherine Barnthouse, DNAP'23
Dr. Katherine Barnthouse is a recipient of the George Devane Award of Excellence, which is given annually to two outstanding students graduating from the nurse anesthesia program. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in the areas of academics, clinical performance, and professionalism.

Austin Drake, DNAP'23
Dr. Austin Drake is a recipient of the George Devane Award of Excellence, which is given annually to two outstanding students graduating from the nurse anesthesia program. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in the areas of academics, clinical performance, and professionalism.

Anita Roetker, BS'53
October 9, 2022

Rita Olson, BS'54
October 19, 2023

Rita M. Jurcyk, BS'56
October 14, 2023

Nancy Bruce Ratch, BS'59
January 7, 2023

Sylvester T. Hartnett, BS'63
March 21, 2023

Judith A. Brennan, MA'65
October 30, 2023

David E. Yoder, PhD'65
February 2, 2023

Daniel Connelly, BS'69
October 26, 2023

Kenneth L. Bade, CNA'72
September 23, 2023

Mary E. Balken, BS'72
May 15, 2016

Richard Schaffer, CPT'73
November 15, 2021

Hilde Siegmann Willis, BS'73
August 15, 2023

Gregg R. Root, BS'76
June 4, 2023

Sheryl J. Janke, BS'77
October 5, 2023

Lauren Strucely, CC'77
January 23, 2023

Larry J. Kerr, CRTT'78
May 28, 2023

Scott R. McIntyre, BS'79
November 5, 2023

Betsey Stutz, BS'85
December 10, 2022