Congdon School of Health Sciences Dean Receives National Career Achievement Award
Dr. Kevin Ford, dean of High Point University’s Congdon School of Health Sciences and professor of physical therapy, was recently presented the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Biomechanics Interest Group’s Career Achievement Award in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was pictured at center with his son-in-law, daughters and wife during the organization’s annual meeting in late May.
HIGH POINT, N.C., June 11, 2026 – Dr. Kevin Ford, dean of High Point University’s Congdon School of Health Sciences and professor of physical therapy, was recently presented the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Biomechanics Interest Group’s Career Achievement Award in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ford, an accomplished researcher in biomechanics and sports medicine, said it was incredibly special to receive the award from the biomechanics interest group during its annual meeting, held May 26-29. He previously served as chair of the group and is a Fellow of the ACSM.
“I was humbled to see the photos of past winners and know that my name was joining these amazing scientists and leaders in the field,” Ford said. “My work had never been a solo effort. It’s the result of decades of brilliant students, collaborators and colleagues that have worked alongside me in biomechanics. We have asked some fun questions and had a blast the last 30 years.”
Ford said he was honored to get hugs and congratulations from so many of his ACSM friends. The best part of the evening was having his wife, daughters and son-in-law in the audience to hear him speak and share the occasion with him.
Last fall, Ford and Dr. David Sinacore, a physical therapist and an HPU professor of physical therapy, were included for a second consecutive year in Stanford University’s annual list of the Top 2% of scientists cited by other researchers around the world.
Ford said he is grateful their research is being used to positively impact the health of others. He is also excited to share his Career Achievement Award with numerous HPU students, faculty and collaborators who have co-authored many of these articles.
In 2019, Ford secured a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for more than $528,000 in conjunction with faculty, staff and students in the Congdon School of Health Sciences, as well as doctors from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to research how different training programs impact anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in females.
Ford also received a $200,000 NIH grant to conduct athletic injury prevention research, focused on how growth spurts during puberty may contribute to the risk of knee injuries in young female athletes. In 2016, he received the Ruth Ridenhour Scholarly and Professional Achievement Award, which recognizes a full-time HPU faculty member for exemplary accomplishments in their research and creative endeavors.
The Congdon School of Health Sciences, under Ford’s leadership, has had continual funding for more than 10 years to investigate a variety of footwear with Adidas.