The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Therapy is proud to recognize Ashley Parish, PT, DPT, PhD, CRT, for earning two national honors that reflect her leadership and growing influence in the physical therapy profession.
In the fall of 2024, Parish was elected president of the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy opens a new website, one of 18 academies and sections within the American Physical Therapy Association. She is the 12th president in the academy’s 50-year history and will serve a three-year term that began in February 2025, with the potential for re-election. Her appointment is a national recognition of her expertise and commitment to advancing care for individuals with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions.
Parish was also accepted into the Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership opens a new website, a yearlong program through the APTA Academy of Education. Designed to prepare experienced educators to become future program directors and department chairs, the fellowship begins in July and will conclude in July 2026.
Parish is an ABPTS board-certified cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist with over a decade of experience in intensive care unit settings. She earned her bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, a certificate in mixed methods research, and a Ph.D. in health behavior — all from UAB. Her clinical practice focuses on pediatric cardiovascular and pulmonary populations. She continues to treat patients through both inpatient services and the STEP Clinic opens a new website, which supports young adults with complex medical needs transitioning to adult care.
Parish has held numerous leadership roles within APTA academies and is the recipient of several national honors, including the APTA Emerging Leader Award in 2021 and 2022, Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy Emerging Leader Award in 2022, and the 2022 ACAPT Emerging Educator Award.
Please join us in congratulating Parish on these outstanding achievements.
