Duke DPT Shines at APTA North Carolina Annual Conference

Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, faculty, and alumni made an impressive impact at the 2025 APTA North Carolina Annual Conference, held this past weekend at Elon University. With 18 third-year students presenting 12 research posters—many co-authored by Duke faculty and alumni—the conference showcased the depth and excellence of Duke DPT’s scholarly contributions.

Several students were honored with prestigious scholarships from APTA North Carolina, including third-year Holly Brown (Advocacy Student Scholarship), second-year Zariah Scales (Leadership Excellence Student Scholarship), and third-year Andrew Aronesty (Student Delegate Scholarship). Zariah was also announced as the new Co-Director of Student Involvement for the APTA NC Student Special Interest Group (SSIG), joining fellow Duke DPT students Holly Brown (Chair), Elizabeth Liriano (Director of Student Engagement), and Lytzy Hernandez. Holly succeeds recent graduate Said Mendez, who was recognized for receiving the APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship this summer and was newly named the APTA North Carolina 2025 Outstanding Student PT. His classmate Chante Pettiford was also celebrated for receiving the APTA Minority Scholarship.

Duke DPT alumni were equally well represented, with three alumni leading educational sessions and several others contributing to poster presentations. Val Adams (Class of ’18) received the Outstanding PT Award, and Moyo Aremu-Cole Tillery (’11) was honored with the Olive V. Wortman Service Award. Dean McCall (’04) delivered the inspiring Founders’ Lecture at the Awards Ceremony, which included many Duke shout-outs.

Faculty and alumni also played key roles in conference leadership. Dr. Vrunda Kapadia served as the Conference Programming Chair, while Rosie Canizares (’07) contributed as the APTA NC Director of Communications. Alumni Erik Carvalho (’11), Marissa Araujo Carvalho (’12), and Victoria Lamb Smith (’07) participated in the APTA NC Board Meeting, representing roles in finance, payor relations, and pediatrics, respectively. Faculty Development Resident, Brittany Jones, kicked off the weekend with one of the first educational sessions.

Special thanks to Duke DPT faculty member Jody Feld for coordinating the student poster presentations and capturing photos throughout the event. She also won the Duke-themed raffle basket, which helped raise funds for APTA NC student scholarships.