The 2026 Lynda D. Woodruff Lecture
on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Physical Therapy
Hosted on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:00 pm ET - Contribute Today
This annual lecture, a collaborative effort by the Physical Therapy Learning Institute (PTLI), American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT), the National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT), the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), and the APTA Academy of Education, is held annually on or around Juneteenth in honor of Dr. Lynda D. Woodruff, a co-founder of PTLI and a pioneer in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in physical therapy education and practice. Our intent is to ensure that her legacy lives on in a format that ignites action, innovations, and solutions on issues related to DEI and social justice. Importantly, we hope to create a platform to address systemic barriers to opportunity and access for underrepresented minorities (URMs) in our profession.
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026 ay 7:00 pm ET
Lecture: Reclaiming the Soul of the Physical Therapy Profession: The Details That Define Us
Presented By: Tiffany Adams, PT, DPT, PhD, MBA
Description:
Every profession has a soul, which is revealed through which details it is willing to face, even when doing so disrupts comfort, tradition, or power. The physical therapy profession stands at a defining moment - one that calls it to critically reflect on its soul.
We must acknowledge the histories we’ve been part of and the inequities we’ve normalized. As James Baldwin reminds us, “we are trapped in history and history is trapped in us.” This truth compels us to examine how historical and current systems continue to shape who has access, who is heard, and who thrives within our profession. Facing these realities is not optional; it is essential to advancing equity and justice.
Tiffany Adams, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD
The 2026 Lynda D. Woodruff Lecture will challenge the profession to consider the details that define us - not as abstract ideals, but as lived practices that either reinforce or dismantle inequity. By courageously confronting these details, we can begin the work of reclaiming the soul of the physical therapy profession.
Tiffany Adams, PT, DPT, PhD, MBA, is director of leadership and organizational culture and assistant professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at Duke University. She leads strategic initiatives focused on leadership development, culture and climate, equity, and inclusive excellence. A board-certified geriatric clinical specialist, Adams has served the physical therapy profession for more than 15 years as a clinician, educator, entrepreneur, and mentor.
Introduction:
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Kimberly Varnado, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, is founding program director and associate professor for the College of Saint Mary Hybrid DPT Program in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist emeritus and graduate of the APTA Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership Program. Varnado also serves as an independent consultant in accreditation, hybrid program development, and inclusive learning communities.
Discussion Panel:
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Vernard L. Alsberry Jr, PTA, MPA, is president of Alsberry Consulting LLC and former mayor of Hazel Crest, Illinois. He recently concluded a 20-year career in public service, including eight years as village trustee and 12 years as village president. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and received his physical therapy education at Governors State University.
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Amber Brown, PT, DPT, WCS, is founder and owner of Root Physical Therapy and Wellness. She is a board-certified women’s health clinical specialist with a primary focus on pelvic floor dysfunction and Black maternal health. She also serves as a birth doula, certified lymphedema therapist, registered yoga teacher, guest lecturer, and researcher.
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Laurel Daniels Abbruzzese, PT, EdD, FNAP, serves as director of the Performing Arts Fellowship Program, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and associate professor in the Programs in Physical Therapy at Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Her work focuses on performing arts physical therapy, dancer screening, and rehabilitation education.