Ms. Omasta is one of a select few woman who have possessed the confidence, foresight and perseverance to own and successfully operate a private physical therapy office since the 1970's. She has maintained this entrepreneurial spirit throughout her career, advancing to regional vice president and administrator of a network of sports medicine and rehabilitation offices and ultimately to become part-owner and operator of a corporation which helps manage 30 physical therapist owned and operated physical therapy practices in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.

Ms. Omasta’s early interest in physical therapy education led her to accept the role as site coordinator and clinical instructor for physical therapy students as early as 1975. She has sustained a program of excellence in clinical teaching for the University of Connecticut over the years, accommodating upwards of 100 students from Storrs and from several other institutions around the country. Ms. Omasta has been a frequent presenter at colloquia and forums on Sports Medicine in Connecticut, has taught continuing education courses on a number of topics related to sports medicine and the female athlete, has served two terms on the School of Allied Health Advisory Board, and recently created a scholarship to assist students in the Department of Physical Therapy. Her service role to her profession and to the Danbury community has been exceptional. Through her grass roots political action she has helped shape public policy in physical therapy, has made educating the public about physical therapy a priority and had been selfless with the time she has contributed to civic and religious groups.

Ms. Omasta had the spirit and ability to move in a direction where few woman in physical therapy would go. Today the shared vision of the profession is to follow in these footsteps and for all physical therapy services to be owned and operated by physical therapists. Ms. Omasta has been a strong positive role model in physical therapy and has focused her career on educating, on service and on helping her profession and her colleagues achieve their professional goals. Her leadership, sustained visibility and support for physical therapy education has been exceptional.

Ms. Omasta will be recognized at the Annual Awards Dinner of the Neag School of Education on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Anyone wishing more information about this event can call Lynne Allen at the UConn Alumni Center, (888) UC-ALUM-1, (860) 486-2240 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .