Scholarships and Awards

Breathe in Life Research Poster Award

This award was established by the family of Anne Barbetta who in her teaching career inspired her students to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives. The award is presented to the student research group judged to have created the “best” poster for Student Research Day.

C. Estelle Cunningham Book Prize

This prize was established in 1982 to honour the outstanding contribution made to the profession by C. Estelle Cunningham in her many years of service as the Chairman of the Provincial Physiotherapy Licensing Board. The prize will be awarded to the graduating student who has submitted the best major paper in partial fulfillment of the MSc Physical Therapy Degree Program.

Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy Student Award

This award is presented to the student who demonstrated an aptitude in manual therapy practice for the course Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy. 

Canadian Physiotherapy Association Cardiorespiratory Division Entry Level Student Award

This award recognizes physiotherapy students who excel in the cardiorespiratory area in both theory and clinical practice, and who have a special interest in this area of physiotherapy. An application is required.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association Leadership Award of Excellence

This award is to recognize a student in the final year of the program who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities for the promotion of the physical therapy profession and/or improvement of the quality of student experience at the University of Toronto. A nomination is required.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association National Orthopaedic Division Annual Student Award

This award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and an interest in orthopaedics. The recipient is deemed to be the highest ranked student based on a combination of the candidate’s demonstration of leadership, advocacy and interest in orthopaedics. A nomination is required.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association Oncology Division Student Award

This award is presented to a graduating student in the final year of the MScPT program who demonstrates academic excellence in the area of oncology physiotherapy and/or leadership and community engagement in the area of oncology.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association Rising Star Distinction

This distinction is to recognize and acknowledge a student or new graduate physiotherapist (PT)/physiotherapy assistant (PTA) who has demonstrated potential to be an excellent PT/PTA in paediatric practice through her/his exceptional contribution to paediatric education, clinical practice, and/or research. Students are nominated by his/her academic institution and the winner is selected by the CPA (Paediatric Division).

Canadian Physiotherapy Association Student Award

This award was established in 1981 and it is presented to the physical therapy student in the graduating class who has attained the highest aggregate mark in academic and clinical physical therapy courses for the entire MSc Physical Therapy degree program.

Carlos Melendez Memorial Award

This award was established in 1997 by family and friends in honour of Mr. Carlos Melendez, who was a first year physical therapy student in the Department of Physical Therapy Program. The award is given to the graduating student who best exemplifies the strengths of humanity and compassion towards others that Carlos demonstrated. A nomination is required.

CBI Health Group Prize for Excellence in Student Research

This award is presented by CBI Health Group to the student group for the final paper in the research component of curriculum. Their study is considered to be innovative, has the potential to advance practice, and is an important topic for physical therapy. This group demonstrates the potential of all of our Physical Therapy graduates to be outstanding clinician-researchers.

Central Toronto District – Ontario Physiotherapy Association Award

Established in 1983, this award is presented to the graduating student who has shown outstanding contributions in promoting the physiotherapy profession to the public through volunteer work; National Physiotherapy Month, Career and/or University Fairs, volunteering as a trainer for a sports team or actively participating in Association and/or Divisional activities at the Provincial or National level.

Dr. Barnett & Beverley Giblon Gold Medal for Excellence in Physical Therapy

This award was established by Dr. Barnett & Beverley Giblon in 2011 and is presented to the student in the graduating class of the Physical Therapy Program who attains the highest average throughout his/her studies in physical therapy.

Dr. Barnett & Beverley Giblon Silver Medal for Excellence in Physical Therapy

This award was established by Dr. Barnett & Beverley Giblon in 2011 and is presented to the student in the graduating class of the Physical Therapy Program who attains the second highest average throughout his/her studies in physical therapy.

Herta Leyss Scholarship in Physical Therapy

This academic excellence award is to recognize the student in the graduating year most likely to fulfill the role of an academic practitioner based on consistent distinction in clinical and research practice in the MSc Physical Therapy degree program.

Mary Sauriol Business Practice Prize

Created by the colleagues of Mary N. Sauriol, and generously supported by the University Women's Club of Toronto, the Mary N. Sauriol Business Practice Prize recognizes a student who has developed an understanding of business practices as they relate to the private sector and has demonstrated excellence in orthopaedic clinical practice.

Molly Verrier Award

This award was established on behalf of the friends, family and colleagues of Professor Molly Verrier to award the graduating student who actively participates to advance the practice of Physical Therapy and empower their classmates. The recipient has also achieved high academic standing.

Mount Sinai Hospital Book Prize

Mount Sinai Hospital has developed this award to recognize the student in the graduating class who has attained the highest academic and clinical marks in orthopaedics. Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the teaching hospitals directly affiliated with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

Olive Wallace Pester Fellowship in Physical Therapy

This fellowship is awarded to a graduate student in the Department of Physical Therapy who has demonstrated distinction in clinical practice and shown promise for improving quality of care and patient outcomes. The student shows a passion for embracing a broad range of complementary therapies that considers not only the physical aspects of their patients but also their emotional and spiritual well being of their patients throughout their assessment and management. An application is required.

The Heart and Breath of Physical Therapy Award

This award is to recognize the graduating student who has excelled during her/his cardiorespiratory clinical internship and also has shown particular interest in the cardiorespiratory field in the MSc. Physical Therapy degree program.

The Hospital for Sick Children Prize in Paediatrics

Awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in paediatrics throughout the PT program, this award is to acknowledge a student who has shown a particular interest and aptitude for the clinical application of PT theory to paediatrics.

Toronto Cathay Lions Club Scholarship

Established in 1987, this award is presented to the student with the highest standing in the second year of the MSc Physical Therapy program.

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network Patient Quality of Life Award

This award recognizes the graduating student who has demonstrated the attributes and ability to improve quality of life for people living with a long-term disability as a result of illness, accident or the aging process. An application is required.

University Health Network Book Prize

This award was developed to recognize a student in the graduating class in the MSc Physical Therapy degree program who has demonstrated excellence in clinical and academic work in the area of neuroscience.