Catherine Doetzer Kohlenstein
1/23/1957 - 12/30/2002

Known for her infectious enthusiasm and "can-do" attitude, Catherine Doetzer Kohlenstein (Cathy) played a positive role in the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Department both as a student and as an educator.  Cathy came to the UDPT program from a career in teaching and graduated with her Masters in Physical Therapy degree in 1996.  After graduation, Cathy went to work as a physical therapist at the Fort Howard VA in Maryland, where she spent her entire career.  However, her dedication to the field of physical therapy and education did not stop there.  Cathy also became involved with the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) which offers post-graduate courses in functional manual therapy and movement reeducation.  She earned certifications in several areas of physical art and also served as an instructor for the institute.  With this expertise, she opened a small practice with a partner that was very successful.  She made strong impressions on her colleagues both personally and professionally.  Jamie McMahon, a co-worker from Fort Howard VA stated, "Her level of dedication and commitment not only to her patients, but also to her colleagues was unparalleled.  She strived for the best in herself while also influencing those around her to also push themselves to perfection.  Her commitment to education and continued mastery of this profession was her greatest asset, and is the one trait that will be greatly missed."  Stacy Jenkins, another colleague, described Cathy's unique qualities by saying, "she was truly one of a kind.  It is rare you find therapists these days with her level of tenacity, drive and devotion toward her patients.  A gifted manual therapist and motivator- she is greatly missed." 

Cathy stayed connected to her roots in education as well as the University of Delaware by serving both as a clinical instructor (CI) and as a guest lecturer in the Advanced Seminar courses that are part of the UDPT curriculum.  As a CI for students from the University of Delaware as well as other programs, Cathy demonstrated a true eagerness to share her knowledge with students and a genuine enthusiasm towards clinical education.  Cathy's enthusiasm invariably spread to her students who learned a lot under her tutelage.  Her dedication to clinical education garnered her the first ever Clinical Educator's Award conferred by the University of Delaware at the 1999 commencement exercises.  This award is given annually to the individual who has made outstanding contributions to the clinical education of University of Delaware students, and the award will now be named in her honor.  Cathy passed away on December 30, 2002 after a two year battle with leukemia.  She is survived by three sons.