Meaningful Contributions, Lasting Impacts

Created in 2017, the Health Achievement Leadership Legacy (HALL) Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to OU’s School of Health Sciences through leadership, community service, research or teaching. Nominations are sought annually, with final selections made by the dean and members of the School of Health Sciences Board of Advocacy and Resource Development (BOARD). Awardees are widely respected by peers and recognized as role models in the health care field.

In 2026, the School of Health Sciences recognized two long-standing physical therapy faculty members and professionals, Dr. Melodie Kondratek and Dr. Kris Thompson, with the HALL Award.

“Melodie and Kris have been instrumental faculty members in the School of Health Sciences and are recognized as Oakland University leaders, as well as the physical therapy profession as a whole,” says Dr. Kevin Ball, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “With Melodie’s dedication to student mentoring and Kris’ commitment to innovative programming, both have inspired the growth and success of our students, the School and the physical therapy profession throughout their careers. We are honored to recognize them with the HALL Award.”

Melodie Kondratek

Melodie Kondratek, DScPT, PT, OMPT, an OU physical therapy (PT) alum, served the School of Health Sciences (SHS) for 22 years. Dr. Kondratek will retire from her position as associate professor of physical therapy in August 2026.

Committed to guiding aspiring physical therapists and inspiring excellence, Kondratek has mentored countless students throughout her career, including physical therapists, served on doctoral committees and chaired Ph.D. dissertation committees.

“Mentoring students, informally and formally, has been an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding part of being a faculty member,” said Kondratek. “Informal mentoring conversations about career pathways to follow after PT school serves to reinforce my faith in the future of the PT profession. During formal research mentorship I have been blessed to serve as a research mentor for many talented and dedicated students and clinicians. Being a witness to the growth that occurs during all stages of the research process has served to inspire me to continue on the mentorship path. Investing in the growth of our students is investing in the future of physical therapy and other health professions. It has been an honor to mentor students as they grow into their roles as clinicians, consumers and generators of research, and academia.”

Kondratek’s leadership extends campus wide. She has held leadership positions on Oakland’s Institutional Review Board and Graduate Student Research Committee; represented the School of Health Sciences on the Oakland University Senate; served on the Senate Mental Health Committee; and taught Youth Mental Health First Aid. Kondratek’s research focuses on spinal mobility and hip dysplasia. She has presented at the state, national and international levels, earning several awards from the American Physical Therapy Association.

“I am honored to be a recipient of the HALL Award,” said Kondratek. “In receiving this award, I find myself in the company of leaders from many professional fields. Their foundational work paves the way for future generations in their respective fields. It is my hope that my mentorship contributions have contributed positively to physical therapy and other health professions.”

Kris Thompson

Throughout her 36 years at Oakland University, Kris Thompson, Ph.D., MPH, PT, has been a dedicated innovator, advancing programming in the School of Health Sciences. She will retire from her current position as professor of physical therapy and coordinator of the Ph.D. in human movement science program in December 2026.

During her time at Oakland, Dr. Thompson has served in almost every academic and leadership role: in physical therapy (PT), as program director and director of clinical education; in research, as coordinator of the Doctor of Science in PT program and founder of the Ph.D. program; and in the School of Health Sciences, as inaugural chair of the Department of Human Movement Science and interim associate dean.

“I am incredibly proud of how the School of Health Sciences has grown and of the impact our graduates have made and will continue to make,” Thompson said. “During my tenure in the School of Health Sciences, I have seen and been a part of new degree programs, such as the Ph.D. in human movement science; innovative and important research in our disciplines; and initiatives such as the development of scholarships to support our students. Together, through our teaching, research and service, we make a meaningful difference in the health of individuals and communities here in Michigan and beyond. That shared purpose is what makes our work so special.”

Across campus, Thompson served on the Interprofessional Education Task Force, Oakland University Senate, Senate Steering Committee and Graduate Council. She was a chair fellow for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Thompson focused her research on student and faculty development, with many presentations and publications in prestigious journals. She has earned numerous service and research awards from the American Physical Therapy Association.

“I am truly honored to have been selected for the HALL award,” Thompson said. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many past recipients and I hold them in the highest regard for their leadership and the lasting impact they’ve had on the School of Health Sciences. This recognition reflects the incredible people I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the past 36 years — faculty, students, staff and administrators who have inspired, mentored and supported me every day.”

Previous HALL Award Recipients

The Hoffman Family — visionary environmental health and safety leaders, School of Health Sciences champions, instrumental contributors to program development

John Waugh — retired system vice president of Henry Ford Health, founding SHS BOARD member, dedicated Healthology supporter

Dr. Ewa Matuszewski — founder/CEO of MedNetOne Health Solutions, SHS BOARD founder and member, innovative primary care champion

Dr. Chris Stiller — physical therapy faculty member and program builder, owner of Pediatric Health Consultants, leader of PT in schools

Dr. Brian Goslin — faculty founder of exercise science programming, mentor

Dr. Robert Jarski — physician assistant, scientist, research leader of holistic health, BOARD founder

Ms. Teresa Stayer (posthumous) — physical therapy alumna, school champion, BOARD founder

J. Lynne Williams — first faculty, program builder, 40 years of diagnostic sciences leadership

Arthur Griggs — administrative leader, instrumental in founding of school, BOARD founder (retired)

Alfred Stransky — visionary founder of Meadow Brook Health Enhancement Institute

Moon J. Pak — international physician innovator, founder of our school, BOARD founder (retired)