Some physical therapists make their mark one patient at a time. Some also work to strengthen the profession itself. Jennifer Lesko, PT, DPT, Clinic Director at Therapeutic Associates West Seattle Physical Therapy, has done both throughout her career. Now the Washington chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), has named her the 2026 recipient of the Donna El-Din Distinguished Service Award.
The honor recognizes her commitment to serving not only her patients and her team, but the physical therapy profession as a whole.
An award built around sustained service
The Donna El-Din Distinguished Service Award goes to an APTA Washington member who has made significant contributions to the association and the profession over time. It looks at cumulative impact across a career rather than a single accomplishment or year of service. APTA Washington notes that recipients are often the people who contribute steadily behind the scenes, whose service, leadership and willingness to get involved make a lasting difference.
A career of advocacy and leadership
Jennifer’s involvement with APTA Washington includes service on its Legislative Committee and Board of Directors, time as Vice President and Federal Affairs Liaison, and multiple years as Washington’s Chief Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates.
Nationally, she served as Treasurer of the Private Practice Section (PPS) and has contributed to APTA committees and task forces focused on public policy, advocacy and the future of physical therapy practice. She continues that work today as a member of Washington’s delegation to the House of Delegates.
Her peers have recognized her before. In 2012, she was named APTA Washington’s Physical Therapist of the Year. Receiving this award more than a decade later says something more: Jennifer kept showing up.
Where it started
For Jennifer, the path began in her PT program.
“The director of my PT program, Linda Woodruff, was an avid APTA supporter,” Jennifer recalled. “She impressed upon me that I was not just starting a career, but I was now going to be part of a profession.”
When Jennifer moved to Seattle, she started attending state meetings right away and volunteered on the legislative committee. Her first trip to Washington, D.C. as the state’s federal affairs liaison sealed it.
“I was hooked,” she said. “Seeing how true governance works from grassroots to Capitol Hill.”
Mentorship helped along the way. Steve Anderson, then CEO of Therapeutic Associates, was also active on the state and national scene and encouraged her professional journey. One opportunity led to another, including a national role that grew from her company’s long commitment to the Private Practice Section.
“I truly love impacting the profession, mentoring the next generation, and ultimately helping the community in my many roles,” Jennifer said.
Heart-forward leadership
Those who work with Jennifer describe the same qualities again and again. Jeanine Gunn, PT, DPT, Chief Executive Officer of Therapeutic Associates, has served alongside her in leadership for many years.
“Jen’s commitment to the physical therapy profession runs far deeper than her service on boards, committees, and task forces,” Jeanine said. “In every professional interaction, whether mentoring a student or colleague in the clinic, or contributing in our company meetings, she consistently underscores the importance of belonging, active membership, participation, and giving back.”
That commitment shows up in practical ways.
“Jen thinks nothing of stepping away from the clinic for a day to travel to the Washington State House to speak about the rules, regulations, and laws that affect our patients and our ability to deliver care,” Jeanine noted.
At the national level, she added, Jennifer has advocated for decades on proposed regulations and on issues that support therapists, including efforts to reduce student loan burdens.
What sets Jennifer apart, Jeanine emphasized, is her warmth.
“What makes Jen’s impact especially powerful is the way she leads: through genuine, heart-forward encouragement,” she said. “Her warmth and sincerity inspire those around her to become curious, to engage more deeply, and to recognize how meaningful their own involvement can be for the future of our profession.”
Amanda Scharen, PT, DPT, of Therapeutic Associates Queen Anne Physical Therapy, saw that leadership up close.
“Jen served as Chief Delegate for the Washington Chapter when I first became a delegate,” Amanda explained. “The House of Delegates is such an exciting way to participate in advancing the profession. I learned a lot watching her lead the Washington Delegation and seeing how much she cared about representing Washington well at the national level.”
Years later, the two came full circle to teach professional advocacy together at PT Cohort, Therapeutic Associates’ two-year program for new physical therapists.
A company that makes involvement possible
Jennifer’s story is also about the organization around her. Therapeutic Associates is physical therapist-owned, and Amanda noted that the company culture makes this kind of involvement possible.
“Therapeutic Associates’ core values support professional advocacy,” Amanda explained. “Being driven to do the right thing by advocating for our patients and our profession and being leaders in the markets we serve by having an influence on the direction of our profession. TAI is so well respected at the national level, and that speaks to all the work we have done going all the way back to our founders. We truly are better together.”
Advancing physical therapy happens in many ways: through the care provided every day, and also through mentorship, advocacy and professional involvement. Jennifer’s career shows what that looks like in practice.
Advice for getting involved
Jennifer hopes her story encourages other physical therapists, especially those early in their careers, to take a first step.
“Start showing up, be curious about the initiatives and progression of the profession from your state, section, and/or national level,” she advised.
She pointed to state meetings, special interest groups, and CSM (Combined Sections Meeting), where you can also earn CEUs (continuing education units). For those interested in legislation, she suggested attending a state legislative day or signing up for APTA advocacy alerts.
“This small step can be helpful in making change,” she said, noting that APTA’s volunteer portal, APTA Engage, is another place to start. “You’ll never know what special skill might land you in an amazing experience.”
There are many ways to give back, Jennifer said, including volunteering, taking part in PT Day of Service, or serving as a clinical instructor to mentor the next generation.
“Physical therapy is a caring profession, so it’s easy to convince people to care about making things better.”
The relationships may be the biggest reward. Some of her closest friends, Jennifer said, are physical therapists she met through her service.
“I would have never met them if I had not had this leadership and service journey.”
A career built on showing up
Jennifer’s career offers a simple lesson: professional involvement doesn’t have to begin with a big role or a long list of accomplishments. Sometimes it starts with showing up, staying curious and finding a way to contribute.
For Jennifer, that first step led to decades of advocacy, leadership, mentorship and friendships that continue today.
Please join us in congratulating Jennifer on receiving the 2026 Donna El-Din Distinguished Service Award and celebrating the many ways she continues to give back to the profession.
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