Lynda D. Woodruff
Professional Development Sponsorship
on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in Physical Therapy
The Lynda D. Woodruff Professional Development Sponsorship, established in 2020, is intended to stimulate academic, clinical, and community-based research in physical therapy with a focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) and social inequities that lead to health care disparities.
Physical therapist participants in the 2026 Grant Writing and Mentorship in Education Research (GAMER) and the Training in Grantsmanship in Rehabilitation Research (TIGRR) are eligible for a scholarship of up to $2,000 from the LDW Professional Development Sponsorship Fund to support their attendance at these programs.
LDW Scholarship Applicants:
Interested participants should contact PTLI Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee Co-Chair, Dr. Susie Deusinger, to express their interest and learn more about the scholarship. The awards will be made after acceptance into the GAMER or TIGRR program. After acceptance to the program, the LDW Scholarship applicant will submit a statement of need/use of funds and a copy of the abstract/full application submitted to the GAMER/TIGRR program to Dr. Deusinger by the annually designated deadline.
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Applications for GAMER sponsorships are closed for 2025.
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Applications for TIGRR sponsorships will close on September 15, 2025.
The priority for awarding a scholarship from the PTLI LDW Fund is for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant researcher who identify as Black. For TIGGR, priority for awarding a scholarship from PTLI is for a physical therapist researcher who identifies as Black, Indigenous Person of Color (BIPOC) or someone who is conducting health disparities research.
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PTLI Scholarship Recipients
Each year, PTLI recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, scholarship, and a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and excellence in physical therapy. To view past recipients, visit LDW Professional Development Fund Recipients: GAMER and TIGRR.