Sandra L. Kaplan Named 2026 SHP Gonfalonier
As Rutgers School of Health Professions prepares for Convocation and Rutgers University Commencement, we are proud to announce Sandra L. Kaplan, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, as the 2026 Gonfalonier.
Each year, the Gonfalonier leads the faculty procession at Convocation and University Commencement. The honor recognizes a faculty member whose contributions reflect the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, and service to the school and their profession.
Dr. Kaplan, Professor and Vice Chair of Curriculum and Accreditation in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, has dedicated more than three decades to advancing SHP, shaping physical therapy education, and strengthening the connection between research and clinical practice.
In her leadership role, Dr. Kaplan has helped build and refine the foundation of SHP’s doctoral programs in physical therapy and contributed to the development of occupational therapy and speech programs. Her work in curriculum development and accreditation has been instrumental in maintaining rigor, innovation, and alignment with national standards. Her contributions to accreditation self-studies, including the comprehensive 2019 effort, resulted in commendations and helped position SHP graduates to lead in clinical, academic, and research settings.
Dr. Kaplan is widely recognized for her leadership in evidence-based practice and clinical guideline development. She has served as Chair of the APTA Section on Pediatrics Work Group to Develop Clinical Practice Guidelines since 2010 and has contributed to widely adopted guidelines, including those for congenital muscular torticollis. Her work continues to shape standards of care and improve outcomes for children and families across the United States and internationally.
Her scholarship includes numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributions to leading textbooks such as Campbell’s Physical Therapy for Children, and authorship of Outcome Measurement & Management: First Steps for the Practicing Clinician. Through invited lectures across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia, she has served as a global ambassador for both Rutgers and the profession. Her work has been recognized with many honors, including designation as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, one of the highest distinctions in the field.
Dr. Kaplan’s impact extends deeply into mentorship and service. She has guided generations of clinician-scholars, served on dissertation committees, and contributed to institutional leadership through faculty governance, admissions, promotion and tenure review, and strategic planning. As Co-Administrator of Newark Therapy Services for nearly two decades, she has demonstrated how academic excellence and community-based care can work hand in hand.
A Personal Note from the Nominator
Nancy Kirsch, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, who nominated Dr. Kaplan, shared:
“Dr. Kaplan’s career reflects a seamless integration of educator, clinician, researcher, and servant leader. Her office always has an open door. You can walk in with a complex question and be guaranteed to walk out with a clear answer, but she will always challenge you before you leave with yet another question to ponder. She truly represents the very best of SHP.”
Dr. Kaplan is retiring on June 30, 2026. She is an avid skier and is looking forward to a little more time to ski, to help skiers with mobility challenges, and to do a lot more gardening now that the snow has thawed.
As SHP marks its 50th anniversary, it is especially fitting to recognize a faculty member whose dedication has helped define the school’s legacy and future. Dr. Kaplan embodies the ideals represented by the Gonfalon and will proudly lead the faculty at this year’s Convocation and University Commencement.