Alumna Earns the Physical Therapy Gertrude M. Lamb Award
At left, Maggie Daingerfield '11, DPT'14 and Abigail Burnett '17, DPT '19.
By: Damon Markiewicz
As the Springfield College campus community celebrated the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduating Class of 2026, the prestigious Gertrude M. Lamb Award was presented to an outstanding PT alumni member. This special honor is named after one of the founding faculty members of PT and the first PT academic coordinator of clinical education at Springfield College. Lamb passed away in 2015, but her legacy lives on by recognizing graduates who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to the physical therapy profession.
This year’s recipient was Abigail Burnett '17, DPT '19. Burnett is a clinical instructor, mentorship director, and leader in clinical education. She works directly with DPT students while maintaining full-time practice at Live Every Day.
Burnett was introduced by fellow PT alumna and current Springfield College professor Maggie Daingerfield '11, DPT'14. “This recipient’s commitment to service shows through a 12-month mentorship program, she serves as an adjunct faculty member for undergraduate course work, she presents at state American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) conferences, is co-chair of the Connecticut APTA committee, and shows up for students, her patients, and the profession.”
Burnett has a deep passion for leadership, uplifting and empowering those around her, and fostering places where people feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
“It was a tremendous honor to speak to the Class of 2026,” explained Burnett. “My schooling and career are the culmination of many small things that have led me to success. What I enjoy about a Springfield College education is the professors get to know you, they know where you need support and know how to challenge you. The PT program assists you with becoming the person and practitioner you strive to be.”
Burnett went on to explain, “I am forever grateful of the PT cohort that became some of my best friends. From some of the first patients I ever worked with during integrated clinicals, from visits to a professor’s office, from late night phone calls on a clinical rotation when I was at a crossroads, not all PT programs offer the support that you get at Springfield College. What we have at Springfield College is really special.”
Burnett went on to explain some of the important life and career lessons she has taken with her, and she continues to use them each day.
“I learned the power of knowledge with connection,” explained Burnett. “I learned that it didn’t matter how much knowledge I have if I couldn’t introduce myself to someone or get them to trust me during a new activity. My time at Springfield sparked the love I have today to learn about people, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, deepen connections, and understand our patients. My time at Springfield College showed me that small acts of kindness are just as important as big ones. The smile on the sidewalk can make someone’s day. The concept of Humanics isn’t graded on a scale of how monumental the act is, it’s your intention and how you show up that makes the difference.”
Burnett went on to conclude, “My career has been a lot of small steps in making a difference and finding my own path. Little things that sparked joy or curiosity became larger things that I pursued. I found that clinical education excited me, and I started learning about teaching and mentorship. I learned how to shift my teaching to meet students where they are at. I am a better physical therapist and person because I have the opportunity to teach and learn with students. There is no better way to give back to the PT profession than to be involved in clinical education. For every student I work with, I know they will impact that many more patients, and for that I am grateful.”
