Daniel Kirages earns 2025 James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award 

BY STEPHANIE CORRAL

WHAT DANIEL KIRAGES ’94, DPT ’98 ENJOYS THE MOST about teaching is the people. 

“I really enjoy just being in class with the students,” said Kirages, who is a professor of clinical physical therapy. “If we can connect with our students, then we can enhance their ability to learn about our wonderful profession of physical therapy and how to help people.” 

Kirages’s natural ability to connect with students is one of the many reasons he was awarded the 2025 James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award.

Presented by the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association, the prestigious award is given to an individual with exemplary teaching skills to recognize and support excellence in instructing orthopaedic physical therapy principles and techniques.

Rob Landel MSPT ’84, DPT ’96 says Kirages’ teaching skills draw consistent praise from students, which is a testament to his effectiveness in the classroom. 

“His ability to establish a classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and engaging in discussions is remarkable,” said Landel, a professor of clinical physical therapy and director of residency and fellowship programs at USC. 

To create a light and welcoming classroom environment, Kirages often sprinkles in appropriate humor to make students feel more at ease.

“People learn best when positive emotions are present,” said Kirages, who does his best to avoid creating anxiety, excessive stressand boredom for students, while not diluting content. “They still need to learn plenty of complex content well to thrive in their profession.”

Kirages credits much of his teaching success to the countless educators he has been exposed to as a student, fellow, mentee and colleague.

“Teaching is a profession in itself that requires learning and practice,” Kirages said. “I have learned the content well to successfully practice as a physical therapist, but I also learned how to teach by watching and emulating some of their effective characteristics.”

Landel also noted Kirages’ dedication to improving his teaching methods. 

“Dr. Kirages’ pursuit of personally achieving teaching excellence is unwavering,” Landel said. “He participated in an education fellowship offered by the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET), committing a full year to improving his teaching methods.”

As a CET faculty fellow, Kirages has played a pivotal role in establishing the Division Institute for Excellence in Teaching (DIET), which provides valuable resources and feedback opportunities to enhance the teaching methods of faculty, Landel added. 

Kirages considers the CET fellowship an important component to his teaching development.

“This was my first formal education in the realm of teaching practices,” Kirages said.  “It truly was excellent, and I recommend it to my division colleagues.”     

Kirages says he is humbled and honored to receive the 2025 James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award.

“I did not set out to be an educator when I started my professional life, so being recognized as an excellent teacher makes me feel proud that I have accomplished something special,” he said.

Kirages will officially receive the award at the 2025 Combined Sections Meeting, taking place February 13-15 in Houston.