GCC Student Rylee Yanklowski Receives Prestigious APTA Outstanding Student Award

Batavia, NY (12/09/2025) — Genesee Community College proudly announces that Rylee Yanklowski, GCC class of 2025, has been named the recipient of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Outstanding Student Award. Each year, APTA recognizes only two students, one Physical Therapist (PT) student and one Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) student whose leadership, academic excellence, clinical performance, and commitment to advancing the profession distinguish them from their peers.

Rylee's selection for this prestigious award reflects her exceptional academic dedication, professionalism, and readiness to step into the field with integrity and compassion. Her instructors, full-time PTA instructor John Love and clinical/adjunct instructor Christopher Amico, provided letters of support that were instrumental in her nomination and recognition.

"Rylee consistently demonstrates leadership, compassion, and clinical proficiency that define the very best in our profession," said Dr. Christopher Caputi, director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at GCC. "Her commitment to academic excellence and advancement of the physical therapy profession set her apart as an emerging leader. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and excited to see the impact she will make as a PTA."

Nominees must demonstrate exceptional promise in areas such as advocacy, service, professional growth, and contributions that reflect APTA's mission to improve the health of society through movement. Being chosen as the sole PTA recipient nationwide highlights the remarkable caliber of Rylee's achievements and her potential as a future leader in the field.

Rylee, who has been featured in the November 2025 issue of APTA magazine, exemplifies GCC's ongoing commitment to educating the next generation of skilled, compassionate physical therapy professionals. Her success is a testament not only to her own hard work, but also to the strength of GCC's PTA program and its faculty.

To learn more about the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Genesee Community College, visit https://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/physical-therapist-assistant/ or contact the Program Director, Dr. Christopher Caputi, PT, DPT at 585-343-0055 x6408 or via email at cdcaputi@genesee.edu.

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Rylee Yanklowski

Genesee Community College

GCC Student Rylee Yanklowski Receives Prestigious APTA Outstanding Student Award

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Genesee Community College

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