Five Trojan community members were honored with CPTA awards, including two Faculty Publication Awards, two Rising Star Awards and the James B. McKillip Leadership Award, during the September event in San Jose, Calif.

BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14

ON SEPTEMBER 19-20, THE CALIFORNIA PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION held its annual conference, bringing 600 physical therapists and physical therapy assistants from across California to San Jose, where, over two days, they could take part in nearly 20 educational sessions, network with other professionals and learn about the latest products, platforms and services. Additionally, a handful of USC community members earned awards — two Faculty Publication Awards, two Rising Star Awards and the James B. McKillip Leadership Award — for their work in the profession. Here’s who was honored from USC:

Dr. Justin Lantz
Faculty Publication Award

Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy Justin Lantz earned a 2026 CPTA Faculty Publication Award for “Postoperative Physical Therapy Utilization for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: An Analysis of Practice Patterns in the United States,”  published in the journal Spine in November 2025. As part of the study, Lantz sought to better understand timing, utilization patterns and outcome predictors for postoperative physical therapy after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion — the most common cervical spine procedure. “I am honored to receive the CPTA Faculty Publication Award. This recognition affirms the importance of examining how physical therapy is used after cervical spine surgery and addressing the significant gaps that remain in postoperative rehabilitation,” says Lantz, who also serves as director of USC’s Spine Physical Therapy Fellowship. “It also reflects the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy’s commitment to collaborative, clinically meaningful research that advances practice and improves patient care.”

Dr. Barbara Sargent
Faculty Publication Award

Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy Barbara Sargent PhD ’13 also earned a 2026 CPTA Faculty Publication Award for “Physical Therapy Management of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A 2026 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline” from the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy,” published earlier this year in the journal Pediatric Physical Therapy. Last updated in 2020, the Clinical Practice Guidelines are a reference for physical therapists, families, healthcare professionals, educators and researchers to improve clinical outcomes for and inform future research about children with developmental coordination disorder. “Clinical practice guidelines are among the highest-impact forms of scholarship because they shape clinical decisions, professional education, payer policies and standards of care” says Sargent, who also serves as the director of the USC/CHLA Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program. “This award recognizes the Division’s contribution to establishing evidence-based physical therapy practices for the evaluation and management of children with developmental coordination disorder. For USC, this recognition underscores our leadership in advancing the quality and consistency of pediatric rehabilitation worldwide.”

Dr. Michael S. Simpson
James B. McKillip Leadership Award

Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy Michael Simpson DPT ’09 was recognized with the James B. McKillip Leadership Award, which is bestowed upon CPTA members who have demonstrated leadership through CPTA elected or appointed positions and who have served in the APTA House of Delegates. “Receiving the James B. McKillip Leadership Award is profoundly humbling. For more than three decades, service to our professional community has been one of the great blessings of my career. It has given me opportunities to grow not only as a physical therapist, but also as a person; to form lasting friendships; and to help others discover their own capacity to lead,” Simpson says. “To be recognized for work that has brought me such joy — and with an award bearing the name of one of our profession’s great leaders — is an extraordinary honor. I am deeply grateful to the colleagues, mentors and friends who have welcomed me into service alongside them.” Simpson began his service to the CPTA in 2004 after moving to the Golden State. His leadership began at the district level, where he served as chief representative for the San Gabriel Valley District, and expanded to chapter and national governance. He has served as a legislative key contact, chair of the CPTA Awards Committee, California delegate to the APTA House of Delegates and CPTA board member — first as secretary and later as chief delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. After completing two terms as chief delegate in 2024, he currently serves again as a California delegate.

Dr. Daniel McPherson
Rising Star Award

Future clinician-scientist Daniel McPherson DPT ’25, PhD ’29 was honored with a Rising Star Award, recognizing newly engaged CPTA members who have demonstrated leadership potential and willingness to serve. “Since graduating recently and entering the profession, Daniel has already demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership potential and commitment to advancing the field of physical therapy,” says Darlene Dirstine, a USC faculty member as well as chair of the Long Beach South District of the CPTA. “His enthusiasm for the profession is evident not only in his clinical and professional growth, but also in his willingness to actively support and strengthen our district community.” Dirstine cited McPherson’s ongoing efforts with the Long Beach South Bay District of the CPTA, including his readiness to step into the role as district vice chair and con ed chair, all while pursuing his PhD at USC. “Peer-nominated awards are special. It tells someone that what they are doing is of the highest value from the perspective of those in the trenches with them,” McPherson says. “This award is a great honor and reflects my commitment to the physical therapy profession. At its core, this award reflects the support and trust I have received from my peers. I dedicate this award to them.”

Dr. Andrea Zheng
Rising Star Award

Andrea Zheng DPT ’25, NEURO ’25 was also recognized with a Rising Star Award. “Andrea brings a fresh perspective that is balanced by maturity, professionalism and an exceptional drive to improve both herself and the profession as a whole,” says Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy Darlene Dirstine, who nominated Zheng for the award. “She is collaborative, motivated and eager to learn, while also possessing the confidence and follow-through necessary to lead. These qualities make her someone to watch as she continues to develop in her career and contribute to the future of physical therapy.” Dirstine mentioned Zheng’s experience, pre- and post-graduation, as a CPTA Education Committee member as well as Dirstine’s firsthand experience working alongside Zheng during the Rising Star Award winner’s neurologic physical therapy residency. “I would not have been able to accomplish all that I wanted to this past year without my mentors that have advocated for me and the village that has supported me unconditionally,” Zheng says. “This award is a reflection of my desire to pour into a profession that makes lasting positive impact in individual lives.”