The associate professor and alum of Elon’s Department of Physical Therapy Education received the award at the 2025 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Meeting.
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education Crystal Ramsey G’09 earned the Award for Excellence in Neurological Education at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting in February.
The American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting is the largest professional development event for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, educators, researchers, students and industry professionals. Held in Houston, Texas from Feb. 13 to 15, Ramsey received the award with over 15,000 peers in attendance at the conference.
The award recognizes an individual who displays educational excellence in neurologic physical therapy. Recipients are considered highly influential and respected in the field.
“It is certainly humbling to be considered in the same category with those individuals who are exceptionally well known,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey was recommended for nomination by the Chair and Program Director of the Department of Physical Therapy Education Charity Johansson.
“Students know she will challenge not just their ‘what’ but their ‘why,’” Johansson wrote in her recommendation. “She will ask them questions that cause them to look deep, be vulnerable, and rise stronger.”
Ramsey earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Elon in 2009. She then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, predominantly treating individuals with vestibular pathologies or who had experienced spinal cord or brain injuries. She worked in the clinical field for 14 years before returning to Elon in 2018 to teach in the Department of Physical Therapy.
Ramsey noted the support from colleagues and students in making the transition from clinician to educator.
“So many different programs and colleagues have supported me as an individual and in my growth as well as the relationship with the students,” Ramsey said. “They gave me honest feedback and really joined me in this journey, sharing worked for them and what didn’t, which was certainly influential.”
One thing she observed that Elon has consistently maintained, from her time as a student to her role as a professor, is their dedication to student-professor mentorship.
“The students are seen, recognized and appreciated for who they are and their unique journeys. At the same time, we have elevated our standards for the pursuit of excellence,” Ramsey said. “While we’ve have always aimed for this, we have now raised the bar even higher and are equipping students with the tools to reach—and even exceed—that bar.”