Dr Bridget Birabi appointed by WCPT on Awards Committee

Dr Bridget Birabi, former president of the Nigeria Society of physiotherapy has been appointed a member of the awards committee set up by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy recently. These awards recognise outstanding contributions made by physiotherapists to the profession at an international level. They will be presented during WCPT's Congress scheduled to take place in Singapore in 2015.

The appointed Awards Committee will review the nominations received, and make recommendations to the WCPT Executive Committee regarding the recipients. There are representatives from each WCPT region hence Dr Bridget Birabi is the flag bearer for the Africa region on the committee. They will judge entries in various categories and some of the award categories as highlighted below:

Mildred Elson Award

For sustained and continuous leadership over a career, the award honours physical therapists who, like Mildred Elson, have contributed significantly to the development of physical therapy at an international level.  It is the highest honour that WCPT can bestow.

International Service Award

Awards for international service are to honour individuals who have made a great contribution towards physical therapy internationally or within their region.

Humanitarian Service Award

WCPT is seeking to recognise individual physical therapists who have improved people’s lives through their exceptional care, compassion, dedication and personal commitment.

Leadership in Rehabilitation Award

The purpose of this award is to recognise an individual or group who are not physical therapists and who have made a great contribution to rehabilitation and/or global health.

Recognition of Service to WCPT Award

WCPT will recognise individuals who have contributed to WCPT as chairs of regions and subgroups and through membership committees.

In other related events Dr Birabi has equally been selected to be a member of the review panel for the pre and post congress courses for the upcoming Congress in Singapore scheduled to take place in 2015. It is worthy to note that it was during her four-year tenure as the president of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy between 2004-2008; her administration ensured the rejuvenation of NSP’s affiliation with the WCPT-Africa region went on to bid and host in 2008 the most successful regional congress in Abuja till date.

We wish her all the best in these new endeavours and to continue to be a good ambassador of the profession as well as the society.