Charles Hazle, Jr., PT, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Division of Physical Therapy, and a member of the Rehabilitation Sciences Ph.D. Program faculty, has been named the latest recipient of the College’s Kingston Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

The Kingston Award was established in recognition of Richard “Dick” Kingston’s creativity and innovation in education. This annual award recognizes faculty for outstanding contributions and long-term consistent excellence in teaching.

“Dr. Hazle demonstrates excellence as a teacher, student advisor, mentor, and clinician,” said Scott M. Lephart, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “The Award Committee noted his long-term excellence in didactic and laboratory instruction, as well as in advising Physical Therapy students. Dr. Hazle exemplifies the spirit and meaning of the Kingston Award and demonstrates the College’s commitment to excellence in teaching.”

After first serving as adjunct faculty, while still a practicing clinician, Dr. Hazle became full-time faculty at the College in 2003. He served as director of Physical Therapy Winchester for nine years and also served as director of physical therapy at Central Baptist Hospital.

“Teaching is actually very similar to being a clinician,” Hazle said. “The clinician tries to help the patient along to eventually become obsolete or unnecessary. A teacher, in essence, does the same, helping students realize their own potential to no longer need someone guiding their thoughts and hands. That’s an interesting goal—to become obsolete each year with a group of students.”

Hazle has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Health from Indiana State University and a bachelor's and an advanced clinical master's degree from UK in Physical Therapy. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences studying the performance of students and clinicians with manual therapy skills.