CPA Awards Program
Since 1921, CPA has recognized and rewarded those dedicated individuals who have made significant contributions to the physiotherapy profession. It is through excellence in leadership and outstanding service in education, clinical practice and research that we are able to achieve our mission.
One of the most important contributions you can make as a member is to nominate your colleagues. The Awards Program is founded on a peer recognition model - members recognizing members. As a physiotherapist, you recognize the importance of physiotherapists working on behalf of physiotherapists across Canada. As a member physiotherapist working with other member physiotherapists - volunteering in the association and the profession - you know who the leaders are among you. You know that there are physiotherapists among you who deserve the recognition of the whole membership and the profession.
**Please note new maximums on the number of letters of support. See individual nomination forms for details**
Enid Graham Memorial Lecture Award
This is the most prestigious award bestowed by CPA. It is presented to a current member of the Association who has influenced the growth of the profession in clinical practice, education, research or management. The recipient is an individual who is innovative, promotes excellence in the profession and demonstrates the ability to positively influence others toward higher levels of achievement.
Life Membership Award
Presented to individuals, current or former CPA members, who have contributed to the growth of the profession through at least 25 years of service at local and/or national levels.
Honorary Membership
Presented to individuals who merit special recognition for contributions to the profession of a unique nature or over a period of at least 15 years. Past or current members of the Association, or non-physiotherapists, are eligible.
Mentorship Award
The Mentorship Award was initiated in 2003 as an outcome of work conducted by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Leadership Task Force, a group formed to explore various ways in which CPA could promote and support leadership and volunteerism within the profession and the Association. The Task Force identified a gap in awards that recognized early or mid-career physiotherapists. They thus recommended the creation of an award that recognized colleagues at any time during their career who provide inspiration to their colleagues by acting as role models for professionalism and volunteerism. The Award was given out for the first time in 2005.
Helen Saarinen Rahikka Award
Presented to a current student member of the Association who has demonstrated professional leadership and made outstanding contributions to the promotion of the profession.
Presented to a current member of the Association (excluding those who are current members of NACEP) who has made an outstanding contribution as a clinical tutor in the education of undergraduate students through innovative teaching and/or administration practices, research and publication.
International Health Award
Presented to a current member of the Association, working in the field of international health, who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting the profession internationally through education, program and/or policy development, practice or research collaborations.
Presented to a current member of the National Support Workers Association, in recognition of contributions to enhancing the role and recognition of support personnel within the physiotherapy profession.
Presented to an organization who has significantly contributed to and advanced the image, ideals and goals of the physiotherapy profession through effective leadership and active partnerships.
CPA Award
First year membership awarded to the graduating student in each undergraduate academic program with the highest aggregate percentage in academic and clinical physiotherapy subjects during the entire program.
Silver Quill Awards
To honour excellence in scientific writing in Physiotherapy Canada, a certificate and $1,000 prize to be shared among all authors is presented to those who produce outstanding original articles related to the field of rehabilitation in each of the areas of Clinical Studies, Clinical Research and, Basic and Applied Research. | 
