NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – Lynn Jeffries, an associate professor and director of developmental disabilities and school-based therapy at the University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health, was recently recognized with the American Physical Therapy Association's Humanitarian Award. This recognition distinguishes those who demonstrate leadership and help improve the quality of life of their patients and the community around them.
“I was so excited to be recognized by my national association for the services I have done over the years to support individuals needing physical therapy,” said Jeffries. “The recognition, I hope, shows others that you can meet the tripartite mission of a university faculty member and be acknowledged by your profession for the work you complete.”
Jeffries is vice chairman for the OU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Allied Health at the OU Health Sciences. She coordinates physical and occupational therapy programs and is the college’s Doctor of Science program director.
Jeffries’ research focuses on children with delayed development or those who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She also focuses her research on physical therapy services for children with disabilities in public school. Her role as a physical therapist allowed her to support children and their families throughout the state and help them assimilate into everyday lives within their communities.
“There were times in my career when I would drive two hours south of town and work my way back into town seeing six or seven different families,” said Jeffries in a College of Allied Health feature interview from 2022. “I would go to their homes, meet them at parks, take them swimming in their community and help the kids learn to move and participate in their daily activities. Anything like that to help them be able to engage in their community, and help the families figure out how to help their kids be successful.”
At the local level, Jeffries’ volunteer work was centered around STRIDE, a non-profit organization supporting children with autism, and Camp Sunrise, a local Christian organization that helps support adults with traumatic brain injury.
Jeffries’ service work extends beyond Oklahoma; she has traveled to Kenya to help provide communities with equipment and resources for those with disabilities. In 2022 and 2023, Jeffries helped provide over 140 wheelchairs and other mobility-enhancing devices to communities in Kenya.
“As health professionals, we should always keep the individual we are working with in the forefront,” said Jeffries. “However, by modeling service for students and others, I believe I provide a lens for viewing communities and considering their particular needs and supports they wish to focus on.”
Given annually since 2017, the APTA Humanitarian Award honors individuals who exemplify the compassionate nature of physical therapy by actively expressing a commitment to humanity and exhibiting admirable degrees of selflessness in addressing key health concerns. It is open to physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and student members.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Colleges list. For more information about the university, visit ou.edu.
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