HPU Dean Tricia Catalino (left) and Mary Jane Rapport (right) at a recent APTA Pediatrics conference in Anaheim.
This month, HPU Dean of the Graduate College of Health Sciences Tricia Catalino, PT, DSc, became the next president of the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy (APTA Pediatrics) for a three-year term. In a notable transition, outgoing APTA Pediatrics president Mary Jane Rapport is also a professor of physical therapy and department chair at HPU, marking a smooth and strategic new chapter at APTA Pediatrics. The change of presidents was celebrated at this year’s conference held on February 12–14 in Anaheim.
Catalino’s installation, and the conclusion of Rapport’s term, underscores HPU’s sustained leadership in the field of pediatric physical therapy at the national level. With both incoming and outgoing presidents serving on HPU’s faculty, APTA Pediatrics transition reflects continuity of expertise and a shared commitment to advancing pediatric practice, professional development, and advocacy for the clinicians and families the organization serves.
“I am honored to serve as the next president of APTA Pediatrics and to lead an organization that champions children, families, and the professionals who support them,” said Catalino. “Pediatric physical therapy reaches into homes, schools, and communities, and our members share a deep commitment to helping children and families reach their fullest potential. I look forward to working with our members to advance education, advocacy, and excellence across all practice settings.”
APTA Pediatrics is the professional home to approximately 5,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students who work with pediatric patients or have a professional interest in this population. The Academy supports practice and education across a range of settings, including homes, hospitals, clinics, schools, and community-based programs, reflecting the broad reach of pediatric physical therapy in helping children participate fully in daily life.
The organization and its members also serve adults with developmental disabilities and advocate on behalf of Medicaid services for patients of all ages. Through education, resources, and policy engagement, APTA Pediatrics helps elevate standards of care and promotes access to services that support individuals and families across the lifespan.
Catalino has served in leadership roles with APTA Pediatrics and APTA Nevada for many years. Her election reflects a record of sustained professional service and a commitment to advancing the field through collaboration, workforce development, and advocacy.
At HPU, Catalino was selected in 2019 as the founding director of the first and only Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Hawaiʻi. In 2023, she was appointed as the first dean of HPU’s newly established Graduate College of Health Sciences. She holds a B.S. in Education & Social Policy and an M.P.T. from Northwestern University, as well as an M.S. and D.Sc. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Oklahoma.
With nearly 30 years of clinical experience, Catalino has focused on supporting children with disabilities and their families, particularly in early-intervention settings. Her work has also included serving as a clinical evaluator in an FDA drug trial for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, Emeritus, and co-project director of a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Personnel Preparation grant aimed at strengthening the early-intervention physical therapy workforce in Hawaiʻi.
Catalino’s presidency also highlights the Academy’s connection to Nevada, where she is based, and reinforces the national scope of her leadership as she works with members across the country to support best practices in pediatric physical therapy and to advance the Academy’s mission.
To learn more about the HPU Graduate College of Health Sciences, click here.
