It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Cecilia Graham, PT, Ph.D.
Ceil, as she was known affectionately by her colleagues and friends, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
She was on faculty in the UAB Department of Physical Therapy from December 2003 until she retired in August 2015. She was first recruited to UAB as Program Director of the Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy Program. In the 10 years that this program existed, UAB had and continues to have a tremendous impact on the profession of physical therapy by way of the 15 graduates who are engaged in innovative educational, clinical and research programs across the US.
In February 2011, Dr. Graham was appointed to the Inaugural Bergman/Pinkston Endowed Professorship in Physical Therapy. She was also the Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Health Focused Patient/Client Management for Physical and Occupational Therapists.
She was a creative teacher and a lifelong learner who was never afraid to try new ideas in order to better reach and further educate her students. In her Principles of Teaching and Learning in PT 761 course, students were required to teach Dr. Graham a new skill following the Memletics Learning Styles inventory. In 2014, she learned how to dance "The Wobble" and in 2015, she learned "The Cup Song" from the movie "Pitch Perfect".
Dr. Graham began her career as a physical therapist after graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas; an institution that named her an Outstanding Alumnus and chose her as the honored speaker at the 2014 School of Health Professions commencement. She also earned a Master of Medical Science in Physical Therapy from Emory University and then went on to the University of Texas to earn a PhD in Adult Education and Educational Administration.
Prior to serving on faculty at UAB, she also held faculty positions in Texas and Indiana. Ceil had a distinguished record of service to UAB and to the PT profession including holding numerous elected positions in the Texas, Indiana and Alabama Chapters of the APTA. She recently completed her term as Chair of the National Nominating Committee for the APTA.
Among her many honors were the 2015 School of Health Professions Joseph A. Volker Award, the highest award given to UAB SHP faculty; and the 2014 Pauline Cerasoli Lectureship Award; the highest honor bestowed by the Education Section of the APTA.
Dr. Graham will be remembered for her fun loving spirit, her dedication to the PT profession and her indelible influence on PT education; at UAB and beyond.
OBITUARY
Cecilia Louise Graham, PT, PhD, passed away on August 21, 2016 at the age of 61 in Austin, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer. Ceil will be remembered as a distinguished educator, great friend, beloved colleague, and cherished family member.
Ceil began her career in physical therapy after graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She went on to earn a Master of Medical Science in Physical Therapy from Emory University, and a PhD in Adult Education and Educational Administration from Texas A University. In 2014, Ceil was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the UT Medical Branch in Galveston, and was the honored speaker at the School of Health Professions commencement.
Until her recent retirement, Ceil was on faculty as an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While at UAB, Ceil held various positions including Program Director of the Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy Program. In 2011, she was appointed to the Inaugural Bergman/Pinkston Endowed Professorship in Physical Therapy. In 2015, she received the Joseph A. Volker Award for excellence in and dedication to teaching, the highest award given to UAB School of Health Professions faculty.
Prior to UAB, Ceil held faculty positions in Texas and Indiana. During her career, Ceil served on the editorial board of the Journal of Physical Therapy Education and as an on-site team leader for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Ceil was active in the Texas, Indiana, and Alabama chapters of the American Physical Therapy Association, holding numerous elected positions. Ceil was the 2015 recipient of the prestigious APTA Education Section Cerasoli Lectureship Award. Earlier this year, Ceil was honored for completing her term as Chair of the National Nominating Committee for the APTA.
Ceil was a proud native Texan, an avid Longhorn fan, and was famous for her love of her little dogs, always featured on her whimsical annual Christmas cards. Equally renowned for her unerring ability to tell a story, her infallible sense of humor and contagious laugh, she will always be a part of our spiral of life.
Ceil was preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose Graham, Sr. and Mary Ross Carter Graham, and a brother, Charles Graham. Ceil is survived by her brothers and sisters, Mary Anne Kirk, Ambrose Graham, Jr., Elizabeth Chinn, Robert Graham and Grady Graham, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
For those wishing to honor her memory, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to Hospice Austin.
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