In the Best Interests of the Patient

Abstract

Dr Paris has dual citizenship in the United States and New Zealand and has practiced physical therapy in the United States, Bermuda, and New Zealand. He founded the University of St Augustine, the nation's only proprietary school graduating doctorally prepared physical therapists. The University is active in Japan, Iceland, and Chile, helping to advance physical therapist practice in those nations by offering degrees and clinical certifications. Although Dr Paris may be most closely associated with his contributions in establishing manual therapy practices as an accepted essential component of physical therapist practice, he also has been a leader in physical therapist education, research, and professional service. He has lectured extensively and presented continuing education courses nationally and internationally. As an author or co-author, Dr Paris has actively promoted the concepts of manual therapy in text chapters, professional journal articles, guest editorials, and proceedings. He also has published textbooks, a film, and a PBS television series on back pain. He currently serves as co-editor of the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy . Dr Paris was instrumental in establishing the Orthopaedic Section of APTA and the International Federation of Manipulative Therapists and has served as president of both organizations. He also was instrumental in establishing the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He has been a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates and has served on the APTA Board of Directors. Dr Paris was appointed to APTA's Task Force on Clinical Specialization and was an early proponent of recognizing physical therapist clinical specialists. Dr Paris has received ATPA's Chattanooga Research Award and was elected a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of APTA. In 1992, the Orthopaedic Section established the Paris Distinguished Service Award in his honor. He is an honorary fellow of the New Zealand Society of Physiotherapy and an honorary life …