CCAC Class of 2025 Graduate Receives American Physical Therapy Association Award
Published May 14, 2025
CCAC student and Class of 2025 graduate, Lisa Cavlovich (left) pictured with her professor and mentor, Rebecca J. Shakoske, clinical coordinator for CCAC’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program.
CCAC is pleased to announce that Lisa Cavlovich, CCAC student and Class of 2025 graduate, has been selected as the Student Physical Therapist Assistant recipient of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Mary McMillan Scholarship Award. Applications for this prestigious national award were submitted by students in Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant programs across the country. Lisa will receive her award in July at the APTA Leadership Congress in Washington, D.C.
The APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship recognizes outstanding physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students who are nearing the completion of their professional education. Awardees are selected based on superior academic performance, potential for future contributions to the field, and meaningful service to the APTA. Recipients typically demonstrate leadership, professional excellence, and a sustained commitment to both academic and extracurricular engagement. A monetary scholarship accompanies the award.
According to Professor Rebecca J. Shakoske, clinical coordinator for CCAC’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, Lisa has made an enduring impact at CCAC through her leadership and service, organizing and participating in numerous service initiatives as PTA Class of 2025 president.
“Lisa has exemplified the highest standards of academic and professional excellence. As her professor, I am both proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to mentor Lisa. She is a role model for her peers and a testament to resilience, professionalism, and compassionate leadership. Her contributions have deeply enriched the CCAC community and the physical therapy profession,” said Shakoske.
Lisa joins a distinguished group of CCAC PTA program alumni who have received this honor, including Carol Ickes (1992), Andrew Frank (1996), Karen Basista (1999), Marybeth Delane (2006), Gina DiFranco (2008) and Alysse Dambrot (2022).