Associate Professor Patti Noritake Matsuda, PT, PhD, DPT, received this year’s Outstanding Community Engagement and Impact Award. The award recognizes exceptional commitment to community engagement, outreach, and advocacy that advance the mission of rehabilitation medicine and the communities it serves.
Dr. Matsuda’s contributions to service-learning, community engagement, and impact on students and the disability community exemplify the spirit of this award.
Throughout her career, Dr. Matsuda has combined clinical expertise, academic rigor, and compassion to improve patient care and educate future generations of physical therapists. She is a national leader in fall prevention, aging, neurologic rehabilitation, and community engagement. She has also championed service-learning and community partnerships, helping students connect classroom learning with meaningful service.
This marks the inaugural presentation of the Outstanding Community Engagement and Impact Award. Dr. Matsuda received the award at the 2026 Justus F. Lehmann Symposium on May 7, 2026.