A Montgomery County Community College Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program faculty member has gained national recognition for her work in the classroom.

PTA Program Assistant Professor Beverly Labosky was recently named a recipient of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Educator Award.

The award recognizes the importance of the role of physical therapist assistant educators in ensuring the continued provision of graduates who participate in the provision of high-quality physical therapist services, according to the APTA website. The award is intended to encourage physical therapist assistant educators to provide their students with the best foundation possible to serve as productive members of the health care team.

A leader in the classroom

Labosky was honored by the recognition.

“It was a great accomplishment,” said Labosky. “I’ve worked in physical therapist assistant education for about 20 years now. I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve accomplished over the years. It’s nice to get recognized by a national organization for my role as a PTA educator.”

MCCC PTA Program Director Benjamin Sacks praised Labosky’s work to prepare the next generation of physical therapist assistants.

“I think it’s well deserved, and she is an excellent PTA educator, who specializes in educational effectiveness,” he said. “That’s her main drive. She customizes the material to support student achievement. She’s an amazing colleague and a leader in this field of PTA education. Her students appreciate her drive and what she tries to accomplish within her courses in the program.”

Labosky has worked as a PTA for more than 35 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree in education learning, design and technology; and a Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Penn State University.

She has been an integral member of MCCC’s PTA Program since joining in 2022, with prior PTA Program experience as the academic coordinator of clinical education at Penn State Hazleton. She has also served as the recording secretary for the APTA Pennsylvania Northeast District and the APTA Academy of Education PTAE Special Interest Group.

Labosky is dedicated to student success through tailored experiential learning, specialized instructional design, and innovative educational experiences. She also works part-time as a clinical PTA to stay up to date on the latest trends in the field, she said.

“I’m also an active member in several national associations,” she said. “I’ve served on several committees and have been supportive of PTAs. I want to ensure the role is recognized and our voice is heard throughout the profession.”

A growing PTA program

MCCC’s PTA Program, now in its seventh year, graduated 17 students in 2026 and is anticipating a graduating Class of 2027 of 19 students, said Sacks. After passing the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants (NPTE-PTA) Licensure Exam, 100 percent of MCCC PTA graduates find employment within the field.

“We also have close to a 100 percent retention rate throughout the technical phase of the program,” said Sacks, “and, currently, a 96 percent two-year average pass rate on the NPTE-PTA.”

New graduates find employment in various settings including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers, said Sacks. Members of the Class of 2026 are currently working at facilities such as Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, ATI Physical Therapy, Mishock Physical Therapy & Associates, Powerback Rehab, and various other therapy employers within Montgomery County and the surrounding areas.

MCCC’s program provides three, six-week clinical education experiences where many students make their professional connections leading to employment opportunities after graduation, said Sacks.

The PTA Program is striving to create more of these connections with employers in the community to expand student opportunity and provide highly skilled PTAs to employers within Montgomery County and beyond, he said.

“This program continues to grow,” said Sacks. “We’re seeking to expand our opportunities in clinical education. Having team members like Beverly continue to be a leader in clinical education substantially elevates our program.”

For more information, contact the Physical Therapy Assistant Program.