Kim and Ed Kapper

Congratulations to Kayla Baum, recipient of the very first Ed & Kim Kapper Physical Therapy Scholarship award. The award is made possible through the Ed & Kim Kapper Physical Therapy Fund, established at the DeKalb County Community Foundation in 2020. The Fund honors the memory of Ed Kapper and provides support for a high school graduate of a DeKalb County school who is attending an accredited physical therapy program at an accredited college or university.

Kayla Baum is a 2016 graduate of DeKalb High School. She attended Northern Illinois University and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s in health sciences, emphasizing pre-physical therapy. Kayla plans to continue her attendance at Gannon University (Ruskin, Florida campus) in the fall of 2021. She is working on a Doctorate of Physical Therapy with graduation set for May 2023.

On her scholarship application, Kayla wrote, “One of the greatest lessons I learned so far about physical therapy is to treat the patient as a whole, rather than by their impairment. There are many psychosocial factors that contribute to an individual’s overall wellbeing. Although a physical therapist can market and promote a healthy lifestyle, some patients may not have the resources to achieve it. This is one of the many reasons why I have enjoyed the service hours offered through Gannon and why I will prioritize it throughout my entire career as a physical therapist. I believe that volunteering and giving back to the community are important parts of the physical therapy profession. As a licensed physical therapist, I will aim to improve my patients’ lives by not only increasing their mobility but creating relationships and a sense of trust.”

Kayla Baum

“It is an honor to partner with the Kapper family in awarding the inaugural Ed & Kim Kapper Physical Therapy Scholarship to continue the legacy of Ed Kapper,” said Foundation Grants Director Tiffany McQueen Lewis. “We are delighted to know that this year’s candidate, Kayla Baum, stood out as ‘exactly the type of individual I am looking to award this scholarship to’ according to Kim Kapper.”

If giving the gift of education is of interest to you, consider donating to an existing Scholarship Fund at dekalbccf.org/donate or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or additional information on scholarships, please contact 815-748-5383 or scholarships@dekalbccf.org.