Leah Kern, a 2024 Marquette physical therapy alumna, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Mary McMillan Scholarship from the American Physical Therapy Association, marking the second year in a row a Marquette graduate has won the prestigious designation.
Faculty members submit their nominees as they approach graduation. The APTA’s website states the scholarship is awarded to outstanding physical therapists and contributes to the growth of the profession by recognizing individuals with superior capabilities.
“Everything that I did was motivated by my love for learning and genuine curiosity,” Kern says. “I feel grateful to have been recognized for this award and am reminded of the impact that I will have throughout my career. I want to acknowledge that none of this would have been possible without support from amazing faculty, friends and family.”
During her career at Marquette, Kern was a student researcher in Dr. Christopher Sundberg’s lab, as well as an active member of Dr. Tina Stoeckmann’s Adaptive Abilities Club, dating back to her freshman year as an exercise physiology student.
“The skills from this club translated to my career in physical therapy, and it showed me that the profession involved much more than exercise prescription and re-learning ambulation,” Kern says. “It was about getting people back to the things that bring people joy in life. This is a core tenet that has guided my practice through clinical rotations and my early career.”
Dr. Allison Hyngstrom, chair of the Physical Therapy Department, says Kern’s strong work ethic and devotion to maximizing each opportunity she is presented with account for her exceptional professional development.
“During her time at Marquette, Leah was an exemplary student in the College of Health Sciences and in our program,” Hyngstrom says. “She showed a deep desire to become the best clinician she could be, always motivated by a passion for helping others. Leah is going to be a great asset to her patients as she accompanies them toward full recovery from their injuries.”
