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The Emerging Leader Award honors an “emerging leader” who has demonstrated extraordinary service early in his or her physical therapy career and made exceptional overall accomplishments and contributions to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), APTA Virginia, and the physical therapy profession to advance APTA's vision.

APTA Virginia recently honored Emily J. Hawkins, PT, DPT, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education (DCE) at Old Dominion University School of Rehabilitation Sciences in Norfolk, Virginia, with the 2023 Emerging Leader Award. The prestigious award honors physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who have demonstrated service to the Association, component, or physical therapy profession, facilitated activities at the chapter level, and contributed to the goals, objectives, and vision of the component or APTA.

Dr. Hawkins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology in 2010 from East Carolina University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2013 from Old Dominion University. After graduating from the program, Dr. Hawkins served as adjunct faculty for the DPT program, practiced in acute care hospitals, and served as clinical instructor to DPT students from multiple programs.

She has served in several positions at APTA Virginia including Tidewater District Director and Continuing Education Programming Chair (2015-2018), Virginia Chapter Delegate (2017, 2020), and Virginia Chapter Treasurer (2020-present). During her time as the Tidewater District Director, she expertly organized monthly meetings with speakers and sponsors and instituted a rotation of meeting locations to appeal to clinicians across Hampton Roads/Tidewater.

Dr. Hawkins is currently finishing her PhD in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation by completing a dissertation examining how social determinants of health are addressed in clinical PT practice, as well as how they are taught in PT education programs. Her research interests include interprofessional education, psychosocial aspects of patient care, acute care, and clinical education. 

Click here to learn more about APTA Virginia's awards that acknowledge the association's appreciation of the inspiring contributions that have lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, and deliver exceptional results in physical therapy.