ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jane Hards, a native of Norway, Maine, has been certified as a clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

She is one of 54 therapists certified this year, and the only one in Maine with this designation. Since 1992 there have been 570 physical therapy geriatric specialists granted this certification in the United States.

Hards, the daughter of Edward and Joyce Hards of Norway, now lives in Camden. She graduated from a physical therapy program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She had previously earned bachelor’s from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. She has been employed by Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport for over 15 years and currently provides services at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill in Camden. She also has credentials as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students.

The ABPTS of American Physical Therapy Association awards certificates to physical therapists meeting approved requirements. To obtain board certification, candidates must submit evidence of required clinical practice in a specialty area, and successfully complete rigorous written examination.