A Team That Transformed the Student Experience

The team behind the Accelerated Development of Excellence in Physical Therapy (ADEPT) has been named the 2025 recipient of Tufts University’s David J. Kahle Leadership Award, one of the highest staff honors given through the Tufts Distinction Awards program. This award celebrates initiatives that have a transformative impact on the university through exceptional leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Established in 2008, the Tufts Distinction Awards honor staff who exemplify the university’s mission through creativity, teamwork, and service. The Kahle Award specifically recognizes those whose work has significantly advanced the Tufts experience through operational excellence and client-focused solutions.

This year’s honorees—Amy Schlessman, director of ADEPT and assistant professor of rehabilitation sciences at TUSM; Michael Minutello, director of academic support at TUSM; Rebekah Plotkin, director of the Center for Professional and Workforce Impact; and Krys Strange, director of faculty development and instructional design—were recognized for launching a pioneering 12-week pre-Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

“It is the first program of its type in the nation and expands the definition of what it means to be a Tufts student,” said Eric Hegedus, chair of the department of rehabilitation science, who nominated the team for the award.

Designed to prepare students for Tufts’ accelerated hybrid DPT program, ADEPT offers critical support to incoming students, many of whom come from non-traditional or underrepresented backgrounds. The online course blends foundational instruction in anatomy, physiology, movement science, and neuroscience with evidence-based study strategies, time and stress management, and professional development. Students also receive support from learning specialists, mentorship from current DPT students, and training in technologies that enhance learning. Community-building, mindfulness, and guidance on test-taking and academic resilience are woven throughout, helping students build confidence and a critical set of skills before the degree program begins.

“It’s a remarkable example of interdisciplinary collaboration, creative problem-solving, and commitment to student success,” said Hegedus.

Its impact has been both immediate and profound: student evaluations average 4.8/5, and enrollment exceeded expectations by more than threefold in its first cohort.

The ADEPT team’s success is not only measured in student outcomes but also in the seamless collaboration across university departments. From curriculum development to online delivery and marketing, the team’s interdisciplinary approach exemplifies the spirit of the David J. Kahle Leadership Award.

The Tufts community will celebrate the 2025 Distinction Award winners, including the ADEPT team, at a ceremony on June 17, 2025.