APTA's new headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, makes a stunning first impression, thanks to its open, light-filled lobby framed by a wide staircase that invites visitors to skip the elevators if they are able. And now that space has a fitting name: the Marilyn Moffat Atrium.
Marilyn Moffat, PT, PhD, FAPTA, is the namesake of the space in honor of a generous gift to the APTA Minority Scholarship Fund. The donation is part of APTA’s Campaign for Future Generations to leverage APTA’s centennial year and naming rights at the new national headquarters to raise funds to support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Marilyn Moffat Atrium is one of the most memorable features of APTA Centennial Center and will feature unique artwork, including an installation that depicts the word "move" in multiple languages. The design of the space helped earn the APTA headquarters FitWel's highest rating as a building that encourages fitness, social equity, and other factors that lead to a healthier workplace. The atrium will be formally dedicated during APTA's centennial events set for Sept. 9-14.
"For many visitors, our lobby will be their first encounter with our headquarters," said APTA Chief Executive Officer Justin Moore, PT, DPT. "It's difficult to imagine a more fitting person to be associated with this impactful space than Marilyn, an impactful leader for our profession."
Moffat was president of APTA from 1991 to 1997 after having served on the APTA Board of Directors for six years. While president she played a major role in the development of APTA's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and was project editor of the Guide’s second edition.
She has a long list of professional achievements that include delivering the 35th Mary McMillan Lecture and having three professional awards named after her — the APTA Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award, the Dr. Marilyn Moffat Distinguished Service Award from the New York Physical Therapy Association, and the Marilyn Moffat Service Award from the North America/Caribbean Region of World Physiotherapy (formerly the World Confederation for Physical Therapy). She served as World Physiotherapy's president from 2007 to 2015.
She is a full professor of physical therapy at New York University, where she directs both the professional doctoral program and the postprofessional graduate master's degree program in pathokinesiology.
"I have always believed that it is important to give back to the profession that has given me so much, through helping APTA in whatever ways I can, and I'm thrilled to be able to contribute once more," Moffat said. "As a longtime supporter of the APTA Minority Scholarship Fund, I am happy to continue my support of its important work to ensure a bright future for physical therapy."
Moffat made the donation to the atrium after an outdoor sculpture planned in her name was determined to not fit within APTA Centennial Center's ground-level public plaza.