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Gulas Wins State Physical Therapy Award

By October 19, 2007December 16th, 2021No Comments

10/19/07

Recently in Minnesota, Charles Gulas, Ph.D., PT, dean of Maryville University’s School of Health Professions, presented an award as part of his duties with the American Physical Therapy Association. On Oct. 12, back home in St. Louis, Gulas was on the receiving end as he was presented the Missouri Physical Therapy Association Eastern District’s Helen Holzum Whealen Service award. Gulas received the accolade at Maryville, which hosted the annual MPTA fall conference. “To win this award from my peers is a tremendous honor and I hope I can honor Helen by demonstrating her passion for physical therapy,” he said.

ST. LOUIS — Gulas, who joined the Maryville faculty in 1999 and was named School of Health Professions dean in April 2005, is the 10th person to win the Whealen Award, presented annually to a physical therapist who has made worthy contributions to the MPTA’s Eastern District and statewide organization for 20 years or longer. Nominees were judged on the quantity and quality of their past and current contributions to the physical therapy field, as well as their mentoring of junior members in the profession.

Gulas “is such a role model for other PTs in the profession,” said Michelle Unterberg, assistant professor of physical therapy at Maryville, who nominated Gulas for the award. She commended “his commitment to PT and his involvement on so many levels.” Gulas’ career spans 31 years in physical therapy, during which he has chaired numerous committees and served on a myriad of advisory boards. He is currently the MPTA Eastern District delegate and chair of the archives and history committee.

Gulas is a past president of the Missouri Physical Therapy Association and is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, having presented at numerous APTA seminars and national conventions.

Maryville University is a private institution offering approximately 50 undergraduate, seven master’s and two doctoral degree programs to 3,422 students. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges, Maryville University prepares its students for successful and meaningful careers. Among Maryville’s most recent graduates, 94 percent are employed or attending graduate school. Approximately 15,000 alumni work and live in the St. Louis region.

Catherine Boelhauf