ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 43
BY REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS
A RESOLUTION
To commend Sharon L. Dunn, PT, Ph.D., for her leadership in the field of physical therapy
and the impact of her work that has played a distinctive role in improving health
outcomes for the citizens of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Dr. Sharon L. Dunn has been elected to a second term as president of
the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and as director of the APTA board of
directors; and
WHEREAS, her vast knowledge in the field of physical therapy and her familiarity
with APTA led to her selection as the media spokesperson for APTA, a role she has held for
twenty-three years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dunn has also been a leader in the Louisiana Physical Therapy
Association (LPTA) since 1985 and has served as the organization's president and state
government affairs chairperson; her passions are advocacy, member engagement, and the
potential of her profession to add great value to the health delivery system in the state; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dunn works to address the demand for physical therapists, which
is projected to increase twenty-eight percent by 2026, much faster than the average for all
occupations; she has led the effort to create a Ph.D. program in rehabilitation sciences at
LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport; Dr. Dunn developed a post-professional residency
program in orthopaedic physical therapy at LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport in 2008
which has produced twenty-three graduates; she served as director of this accredited and
credentialed program for seven years; Dr. Dunn is chairman of the Department of
Rehabilitation Sciences, associate professor with tenure in the School of Allied Health
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Professions in Shreveport, and is active on numerous committees in the School of Allied
Health Professions, the School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dunn is a long-time member of the Louisiana Sports Medicine
Society; an associate member of the International Society for Hyaluronan Science; a student
and faculty inductee of the Alpha Eta Society, which recognizes students and faculty who
are in the top ten percent of professionals in allied health; she is a recipient of the Allen A.
Copping Excellence in Teaching Award; a nationally invited keynote speaker and presenter;
and a peer-reviewed publisher of scientific articles; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dunn is a native of Louisiana who pursued her education in its
entirety in our great state; she is as a role model to Louisiana youth to pursue their education
and career in their home state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Dr. Sharon L. Dunn for her dedication to the
profession of physical therapy and for her positive impact on the health of the citizens of the
state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Dr. Sharon L. Dunn.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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