It is a privilege to write a letter on behalf of the University of Colorado Denver Physical Therapy Program in support of the nomination of Hope Yasbin for the Pauline Cerasoli ACE Award.  I have known Hope since she matriculated into the Program in May 2006 as a course instructor for multiple courses during her three years in the Program.  I have also served as a mentor to this student who has so eagerly embraced the concepts of professional involvement and service to the APTA.  Through my many interactions with Hope, I can speak with confidence about her exceptional qualities and compatibility in meeting the criteria for this prestigious ACE Award. Hope’s current GPA is 3.688, after having completed 8 of 9 semesters as a DPT student.  She has consistently received high marks during her clinical education experiences throughout her 3 years.  She is now fully engaged in her final clinical education experience and will graduate in May 2009 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Colorado Denver.

 Academically, Hope demonstrated her passion for physical therapy with active participation in the learning process, during lecture, discussions, and hands-on lab experiences. Her thoughtful questions and comments reflected her early skills at critical thinking and problem solving. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to integrate information from a variety of curricular courses into her psychomotor skills in the clinical setting. Her communication style demonstrates respect and caring toward all individuals with whom she interacts including her classmates, patients, families, as well as our Program faculty and administrative staff. 

 Hope had a previous career in business and marketing with a national natural grocery store company where she held multiple positions prior to pursuing her physical therapy education.  She returned to college as a post-baccalaureate student to pursue the necessary prerequisite courses to work towards a physical therapy career.  It was there that she began to engage in advocacy and leadership in support of her future goals in concert with student life.  She was the Founder and President of the University of Colorado (Boulder) Student Association of Pre-Health Professionals, an organization that continues to support interested students in their pursuit of professional education and careers in the health professions.

 As Hope began the Physical Therapy Program in 2006, she immediately jumped into new activities as a graduate professional student by immediately joining the APTA and then becoming the representative from her class to the University of Colorado Denver (medical campus) Student Senate.  Hope went on to seize almost every opportunity possible to participate in both student government and the APTA serving in various capacities as a member and a leader.  Her passion for the profession of physical therapy, along with her superior capabilities, have allowed her to achieve an inordinate number of leadership positions and participate in an enormous number of activities over the course of the past several years.  

 After completing her term as Class Senate representative at the University of Colorado Denver during her first year in the Program, Hope served as Senate Vice-President of Legislative Affairs, Liaison to the President’s Office, student Representative to the Faculty Assembly, University of Colorado Denver Library Advisory Committee and Executive Board Member for the combined inter-campus organization, Associated Students of Colorado.  Meanwhile, she became increasingly active in the APTA, serving on committees, assuming leadership roles, and attending many meetings and conferences at local, state, and national levels including Colorado Chapter symposia and APTA Annual Conference and Combined Sections Meeting.  

 Hope’s involvement and active participation in the APTA began with attendance at National Student Conclave as a first year DPT student and has continued to evolve and develop in many directions through her active and ongoing participation.  Hope is currently the President of the Colorado Chapter APTA Student Special Interest Group (SSIG).  She has led the SSIG as an able president and supported the group to reach new heights in fundraising, physical therapy public awareness activities, and service throughout the Denver community.  In her second year of the DPT Program, she was the University of Colorado Denver student representative to the Colorado Chapter APTA Government Affairs Committee, continuing as a member of the Committee in 2008-9 after her term as official student representative ended.  Her enthusiasm has led to her invited participation at several special events with Chapter leaders including “face time” with state legislators and representatives at local events and as well as during the recent Democratic National Convention.  Hope is such an advocate and wonderful representative of the future of our physical therapy profession that the Colorado Chapter leaders have been pleased to involve her in many governmental affairs activities and special events over the past two years. 

 The rigorous academic demands of the DPT curriculum did not hinder Hope’s commitment to volunteer activities beyond student government and the APTA. In fact, she raised the bar for volunteerism for other students.  Recipients of her volunteerism have included the Multiple Sclerosis Society where she serves as a Community Education Ambassador, Channel 9 News Health Fair screenings, presentations to local high school pre-medical interest groups, and providing supervised physical therapy services at the Stout Street clinic for homeless and uninsured patients, to name just a few. 

 Our faculty selected Hope Yasbin as a superb nominee for the Pauline Cerasoli ACE Award recognizing that Hope’s accomplishments represent many of the attributes that characterize this award named in honor of Pauline Cerasoli, a woman who served the APTA as an advocate and committed volunteer.  Hope has led the way toward higher standards in professional and community service setting the bar high for her physical therapy student colleagues to follow. She has incredible potential to make significant contributions to the profession on several levels including outstanding leadership within the Colorado Chapter APTA.  When I listen to Hope share her personal goals and aspirations for professional involvement following graduation, I smile from ear to ear thinking of how much we will all benefit from her energy and enthusiasm towards physical therapy and our profession.  She has the capacity to use her knowledge, skills, and compassion to foster success for her patients and promote the profession of physical therapy.