Doisy College of Health Sciences 2024 Alumni Merit Award and Honorary Doctoral Degree Recipients
Saint Louis University honored outstanding alumni with the University’s Alumni Merit Awards and Honorary Doctoral Degrees in the spring of 2024. The Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Merit Award recipient was Barbara Jacobsmeyer, PT, BS, MA Class of ‘88. DCHS alumni Susan E. Klepper was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Education.
2024 DCHS Alumni Merit Award
SLU’s DCHS Alumni Merit Award is bestowed upon a distinguished graduate from Doisy College of Health Sciences in recognition of their outstanding achievement, dedication to a chosen profession and commitment to the mission of the University.
While much of the world worked at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the facilities Barbara Jacobsmeyer led as executive vice president of Encompass Health were more important than ever. Early in the pandemic, she oversaw 150 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in 35 states and Puerto Rico. In 2021, she was named CEO of the company’s home health and hospice segment in Dallas. A year later, employing nearly 11,000 people in over 250 home health and 100 hospice locations in 34 states, the company rebranded as Enhabit Home Health and Hospice.
A first-generation college student, Barbara Jacobsmeyer earned a bachelor’s in physical therapy from Saint Louis University in 1988. During her studies she stood out with her dedication to patient well-being. Since then, Jacobsmeyer has remained active at SLU, working alongside the Physical Therapy Student Association to launch the PTSA For and With Others Scholarship, a fund for first-generation or underrepresented physical therapy students in the second or third professional years, when the cost to attend the program is the highest. Jacobsmeyer went on to complete a master’s in health services management from Webster University in 1994. While always planning to be a clinician, with each subsequent position Jacobsmeyer’s path in leadership solidified.
Jacobsmeyer has been recognized with the Birmingham Business Journal’s Women to Watch
Award. She has spoken at investor days, been a keynote speaker at home health care
conferences and participated in health care panel discussions. Her civic involvement
has included the American Heart Association Go Red For Women National Leadership Council,
C200 and the Cor Vitae Society for the Birmingham American Heart Association.
Saint Louis University established the Alumni Merit Awards in 1955 to recognize the
notable successes of the University’s outstanding alumni.
Those selected for the award are alumni who have lived the mission of Saint Louis University in daily life and who have achieved outstanding success in civil leadership, professional and social welfare activities, intellectual and cultural pursuits and have a continued interest and service toward supporting the enhancement of Saint Louis University.
Honorary Degree Recipient
At Saint Louis University, honorary degrees are awarded to individuals based upon their personal and professional achievements. Honorary degrees recognize the outstanding scholarly, professional, service and creative achievements of members of the community, and honor those whose actions reflect the mission of the University.
Susan E. Klepper, PhD (DCHS ‘66) was honored with a doctorate in Education, conferred on May 18, 2024. Susan earned a bachelor’s in physical therapy from Saint Louis University before joining Columbia University's Medical Center as an assistant professor of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine in physical therapy. She is now an emeritus professor.
Susan also served as a consultant to the pediatric rheumatology team at Children’s
Hospital of New York and as a physical therapist in private practice and with the
Mercer County Special Services School District in New Jersey.
She received the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals’ Distinguished Educator
Award in 2015 and the Saint Louis University Alumni Merit Award in 2016.
Dean Bernard Rousseau, PhD, MMHC, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow expressed his congratulations and appreciation for this year’s Alumni Merit Award and honorary degree recipients.
“The Doisy College of Health Sciences congratulates Barbara Jacobsmeyer and Susan Klepper on their selection as this year’s Alumni Merit Award and honorary degree recipients. We are extremely proud of their many personal and professional accomplishments and immensely appreciative of their continued support of our college and the lasting impact that they are making on Saint Louis University.”
About SLU’s Edward and Margaret Doisy College of Health Sciences:
The Doisy College of Health Sciences has provided students with the tools and education to become well-prepared healthcare professionals since 1929. The Doisy College of Health Sciences offers healthcare education at the baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and professional levels in a variety of health-related fields.
About Saint Louis University:
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.