Hannah Young, PT/DPT of the University of Kentucky, Receives 2026 Mobility is Freedom Fund PhD Scholar Award
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hannah Young, PT/DPT, a PhD candidate and graduate research assistant in the University of Kentucky's Rehabilitation and Health Sciences PhD Program, Department of Physical Therapy, has received the 2026 Mobility is Freedom Fund PhD Scholar Award. This competitive award provides $50,000 over two years to support her doctoral research study, "Facilitating Optimal Care Through Understanding Self-Efficacy After Lower-Limb Amputation." This investigation seeks to increase patients' confidence in managing their care and participating effectively in an integrated, multidisciplinary treatment setting.
At an October 27 ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland, Mobility is Freedom Fund President and Founder Charles H. Dankmeyer, CPO, recognized Ms. Young and presented the first payment toward her $50,000 award. In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Young thanked her faculty sponsors and mentors, including Sheila Clemens, Graci Finco, Kyle Kosik, Kristen Metzler-Wilson, and Kirby Mayer. LINKS TO PHOTOS: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fby5bl5xnrl3tvw5zjijh/Mobility-is-Freedom-Fund-10-27-26-Award-Photo-Number-1-JPEG-IMG_7834.jpg?rlkey=0rf4okwfj4y29s4llq0957n1c&st=z56a4b8j&dl=0
A grant from the Burroughs-Wellcome Foundation helped make the 2026 Mobility is Freedom Fund PhD Scholar Award possible.
Mobility is Freedom Fund offers doctoral scholarships and educational grants to help address the shortage of integrated, multidisciplinary care models. It supports doctoral research aimed at improving care, mobility, independence, and empowerment for people with limb loss. PhD scholars provide the research, leadership, and education needed to guide clinicians across disciplines. This funding ultimately seeks to help people with limb loss and mobility challenges participate fully in society without prejudice or limitation. Each year, the Mobility is Freedom Fund accepts grant applications for research conducted within a U.S. PhD program. The RFP for the 2027 PhD Scholar Program was released on September 10, 2026 (https://www.mobilityisfreedom.com/scholar); completed applications are due March 31, 2027.
Caption for Photo #1 (IMG 7834): " 2026 Mobility is Freedom Fund PhD Scholar Awardee, Hannah Young of University of Kentucky (center) receives check in support of her Doctoral studies and research from MiFF officers Thomas F. Fise, Vice President (left) and Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., MiFF Founder and President.
Caption for Photo #2 (IMG 7842): "2024 Initial Mobility is Freedom Fund (MiFf) PhD Scholar Emily Dinelli (left) joined MiFF President Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., in congratulating 2026 MiFF PhD Scholar Awardee Hannah Young."
SOURCE Mobility is Freedom Fund, Inc.
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