Clarkson University Doctor of Physical Therapy student Emma Sego ’27 of Indianapolis, IN has been awarded the Kafka-Phillips Memorial Scholarship for 2024.
The scholarship was created to celebrate two people who shared a deep love for life and adventure and strong dedication to the physical therapy profession, Kathleen Kafka, and Reed Phillips. It was established in 2014 by their classmates, the DPT Class of 2016, and the Physical Therapy Department.
“Emma is a strong student, who clearly shares many of the traits exemplified so well by Reed and Kathleen,” said Dr. Jaime Bicknell, Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Clarkson. “She is one of our graduate assistants which requires her to do extra tasks within the department while keeping up with challenging coursework. Emma does this successfully with a smile on her face! We are confident that Emma will continue to honor their legacy and make a meaningful impact in her community and beyond as a future physical therapist.”
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to proudly represent this award that I have achieved,” Sego said. “It is rewarding to know that my hard work in the short amount of time that I have been at Clarkson University is already being recognized, and I would like to continue these efforts throughout the rest of my time within the DPT program.”
In honor of Kafka and Phillips, the memorial scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving first-year DPT student at Clarkson University who strives to implement the core values of the physical therapy profession both inside and outside the classroom in the same manner that Kathleen and Reed did.
Applications are reviewed and the scholarship awarded based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to, adventure for life outside the classroom, passion, and commitment to the physical therapy profession, demonstration of the APTA Core Values, and their current standing in the Clarkson University DPT program.