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News Releases
Researcher Honored by Arthritis Foundation
Columbia, Mo. (Nov. 17, 2001) - Marian A. Minor, P.T., Ph.D., was awarded the Virginia P. Engalitcheff Award for Impact on Quality of Life during the Arthritis Foundation's National Meeting on Nov. 17 in San Jose, Calif.
The Arthritis Foundation's Virginia P. Engalitcheff Award for Impact on Quality of Life is a $20,000 award recognizing a specific achievement by an individual, organization, product or body of research that makes a dramatic impact on the quality of life for people with arthritis.
"The Engalitcheff Award is truly an incredible honor and the most meaningful award there is for people who do clinical and quality of life research," said Minor, a University of Missouri-Columbia associate professor in the School of Health Professions. Minor also is a principal investigator with the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC), the only such federally funded center in the nation. The MARRTC is housed at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
" Dr.Minor is an eminent physical therapist who has had substantial impact on the lives of people with arthritis through her own research efforts demonstrating the safety, effectiveness and importance of regular physical activity for people with arthritis," said Pattye Moore, chair, Arthritis Foundation. "Minor must also be commended for playing a pivotal role in the translation of that research into meaningful changes in the clinical and public health practice."
At one time, rest was the prescription for arthritis. Today, moderate physical activity is a key component of general health maintenance and reduction of arthritis symptoms for individuals with arthritis.
Minor has been the primary person responsible for this paradigm shift. Her contributions include a large body of research on exercise and methods to teach people how to self-manage their disease by using physical activity; extensive publications and presentations nationally and internationally at scientific meetings; her establishment of a community-based exercise facility for persons with arthritis and other physical limitations; her development of educational materials for patients and professionals; and her key role in the development of the Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic Program and People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) exercise program.
"Minor's constant research on physical activity has helped millions of Americans alleviate much of their arthritis pain through exercise and other range of motion activities-a method that was once said to make the pain worse. She has made the difference in the lives of so many," said Tino Mantella, Arthritis Foundation president and CEO. "Our job is to now encourage the nearly 43 million Americans living with the disease, to make exercise a part of their routine."
"My first physical therapy patient was disabled by her rheumatoid arthritis," said Minor. "At the time I knew very little about managing the disease; however, had I known then what I know now, life for that patient would have been very different."
Minor received her bachelor's of science degree in physical therapy from the University of Kansas and her Masters of Science in Public Health and Ph.D. degree from the University of Missouri.
The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, nonprofit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases - the nation's No. 1 cause of disability.
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