2023 AOTA Awards & Recognitions

Joan Toglia, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

We proudly honor Dr. Joan Toglia for revolutionizing cognitive rehabilitation theory and practice.

Dr. Toglia has made long-lasting scholarly and clinical contributions to the profession of occupational therapy and to the field of cognitive rehabilitation, creating a substantial and innovative body of knowledge that has significantly influenced current occupational therapy practices and neurorehabilitation, domestically and internationally. 

Dr. Toglia has had a distinct and significant impact on multiple generations of occupational therapy students, clinicians, educators, and researchers. She is a respected educator, scholar, mentor, collaborator, and thought leader in the development of cognitive rehabilitation theories, models of treatment, and assessments. 

Dr. Toglia transformed the profession by 1) advocating that occupational therapists be primary practitioners to address cognition for clients with various neurological conditions; and 2) developing an innovative approach guiding both research and clinical practice in the delivery of cognitive interventions. 

Her MultiContext Approach provides a platform for cognitive rehabilitation research and practice that has fundamentally shaped how occupational therapy and other disciplines conceptualize and implement cognitive rehabilitation. 

In the 1996 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture, Dr. David Nelson celebrated the MultiContext Approach as an occupational therapy model of practice that facilitates metacognition and cognitive processing strategies by using naturalistic occupational forms. 

More recently, Dr. Toglia’s Dynamic Comprehensive Model of Awareness has shifted the paradigm on how to conceptualize self-awareness from a series of hierarchical levels to a dynamic process. This shift changed both evaluation and treatment of self-awareness, as evidenced by a surge of publications following its publication in 2000.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the AOTA Award of Merit page.

Natalie Chang-Mason, MBA-HCM, COTA/L

We proudly honor Natalie R. Chang-Mason as a Diverse Leader and Champion for Occupational Therapy.

Ms. Chang-Mason demonstrates skill and dedication for the advancement and recognition of OTAs. She has made significantly impactful contributions to occupational therapy consumers, practitioners, and students. She endeavors to inspire others, with hope that it will create a life-long shift towards a healthier and more inclusive world. 

Ms. Chang-Mason quietly, yet diligently, participates in civic events within the community donating her time and resources to communities in need while promoting occupational therapy services and educational opportunities. Most recently, she mentored students to create a multi-sensory room at the ARC of Putnam, donating personal time and resources, which now serves 50+ consumers who receive OT services.

While working in Stuttgart, Germany as a soldier in the United States Army, Ms. Chang-Mason helped to create a follow-up “After” program for service members engaged in a Drug & Alcohol Rehab program. This follow-up program allowed graduates to return to the facility to mentor and guide those undergoing treatment. This was an ultimate “reach back” representing the African/Zulu [Zoo-loo] proverb “Ubuntu” [oo-boon-too] which means, I am because we are. This was one of Ms. Chang-Mason’s first big accomplishments in occupational therapy that helped develop her personal goal – “to effect change in the lives of others.” 

While working as a government civilian for the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Ms.Chang-Mason created the “ATHENA” program for female service members who felt excluded from many activities that were geared towards male service members. The successful program was designed to assess needs and resolve exclusions by offering meaningful activities, including (but not limited to) equestrian, boxing, swimming, and dancing. Soldiers who participated in the program reported improvement with physical, mental, and social wellness. To date, this program has been adopted in various veteran organizations across the United States.

Ms. Chang-Mason has been an advocate for the advancement and inclusion of OTAs. Her military background helped develop the leadership skills necessary to advance professionally throughout her 32-year career as an OTA. She is the program director of a successful OTA program having guided, mentored, and witnessed matriculation of more than 200 OTA students who are actively working in traditional and nontraditional OT positions, as entrepreneurs and leaders, and have obtained advanced degrees in OT and other fields. 

Ms. Chang-Mason was sought out and elected as district chair for the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) – Alamo South district, to date the first OTA, the first black woman, and the first Caribbean-American in that position. During her tenure she promoted OT services within the community and offered several continuing education opportunities merging both civilian and military OT practitioners. Currently, Ms. Chang-Mason is chairperson of the AOTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. In this position, she plans to further advance the inclusion of OTAs in leadership and teaching positions within OT programs – a much needed role to improve intra-professional relationships.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the AOTA Award of Excellence page.

Anita Bundy, ScD, OT, FAOTA, FOTARA

Dr. Anita Bundy is Department Head of Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University, and she has an honorary appointment at the University of Sydney in Australia. For more than 40 years, Dr. Bundy has conducted research, mentored, and educated countless students and practitioners on the assessment and promotion of play with children and their families in home and community environments. She has made significant and ongoing contributions to the understanding of sensory integration theory and practice which has been widely disseminated and influenced practice across the globe.

Dr. Bundy’s program of multidisciplinary research has enjoyed $5.9 million in funding and resulted in over 200 peer-reviewed articles, 5 books, and 60 book chapters. Dr. Bundy’s many awards and citations reflect the high quality of her academic and professional contributions to the fields of occupational therapy practice and research, higher education, health care systems, and child health and care policy. 

Dr. Anita Bundy has reached far beyond the study of occupation and occupational therapy in the United States, contributing to the betterment of society internationally through her unique insights and scholarship, making her a worthy recipient of the Eleanor Clark Slagle Lectureship Award.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship page.

Michelle Gorenberg, MS, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Michelle Gorenberg is the embodiment of a passionate, innovative educator. Dr. Gorenberg has been an educator for over 20 years sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience from a clinical career spanning over 30 years in pediatrics and trauma-informed care.

Dr. Gorenberg is a nimble educator who effortlessly pivots to meet the immediate needs of her classroom, including her attention to the mental health of graduate students. She is a contemporary and collaborative educator who tirelessly mentors her fellow colleagues.

Dr. Gorenberg demonstrates compassionate student interactions, creative pedagogy, and resource provision for professional development. For all of these personal and professional accomplishments, we congratulate Dr. Gorenberg.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Distinguished Educator Award page.

Victoria Garcia Wilburn, DHSc, OTR, FAOTA

Dr. Victoria Garcia Wilburn is recognized tonight as a Trailblazer in Healthcare Advocacy and Representation. in both state legislative issues and national legislative opportunities benefitting the profession of occupational therapy. Under her leadership as President of the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association she ensured that occupational therapists were among the list of providers when Indiana was awarded the Certified Community Behavioral Health Planning Grant. She championed occupational therapists’ recognition as mental and behavioral providers for consumers using Medicaid. Her continued leadership in Indiana led to her successful election in the Indiana State House District 32 in 2022.

Victoria also provided federal Congressional testimony in support of the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Grant. Victoria’s humble leadership, approach to political advocacy, courage, and bravery to run for public office inspires us all to capitalize upon the talents we possess as occupational therapists.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Lindy Boggs Award page.

Sue Ram, OTD, OTR

We are honored to recognize Ms. Sue Ram [Raa-m] for Leading Tirelessly to Serve the Profession Everyday.

Ms. Ram’s active engagement in the profession began as a student where she participated in a Leadership Development Program with the Florida Occupational Therapy Association and served as the Student Resource Coordinator for 4 years. She served as an AOTA Assembly of Student Delegates Representative, and was elected as the ASD Secretary.

After graduation, Ms. Ram was awarded a Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where she gained impressive skills, providing culturally competent care. Currently, she is an OT Clinical Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital, the number 2 children’s hospital in the United States. Her leadership and passion translates into impressive patient care with the use of evidence-based practice.

Most notably, Ms. Ram has created educational materials related to mental health awareness and strategies for implementing a trauma-informed approach at the organizational level. Her 5-part lecture series is open to the entire hospital system, with over 80 participants from various disciplines attending each lecture.

Ms. Ram is also a trainer for the Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification educating others to help those considering suicide. She is currently pursuing doctoral study at Texas Woman's University.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Gary Kielhofner Emerging Leader Award page.

Natalie Chang-Mason, MBA-HCM, COTA/L

We honor Ms. Natalie Chang-Mason as a Diverse Leader and Champion for Occupational Therapy for her service in civic organizations, community projects, and charitable events including those organized during annual black history month events (for which she is a founding member). Ms. Chang-Mason demonstrates skill and dedication to the advancement and recognition of occupational therapy assistants, students, and clients developing programs and delivering results that enhance engagement and visibility of our profession.

Allison Sullivan, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Allison Sullivan is recognized as a Mental health social media health education innovator for her creation of #OTalk2us [OT Talk to US] on Twitter increasing visibility and public awareness of occupational therapy. She is a mental health first aid instructor and has provided expert testimony for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Joint Committees on Financial Services and Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery.

Dr. Sullivan led the implementation of computer simulation training in behavioral health interpersonal communication skills and intervention during the pandemic. Her knowledge dissemination using social media has impacted OT practice and education globally.

Laura F. Waterstram, MOT, OTR/L

Ms. Laura F. Waterstram is honored as a Trailblazer in Occupational Therapy Clinical Research Operations. She is the secret weapon that ensures the success of each principal investigator with oversight of all research operations (space, personnel, operations, integrity, compliance), and she consults with the University of Pittsburgh’s Associate Dean for Research advising best practices for over 80 scientists in 13 disciplines.

Ms. Waterstram trains and supports effective, principled, and impactful research operations - the ripple effects of which can be detected among several large national and international scientific teams who seek her guidance to hire and train people to lead federally funded rehabilitation research programs across the nation.

Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Bill Wong is recognized as an Innovative autistic occupational therapy social media influencer. His combination of lived experiences and awareness of current practice trends led to the use of identity-first language in OT professional presentations and publications. He mentors autistic students and serves on OT dissertation committees domestically and internationally. Dr. Wong is well known as a TEDx speaker and event coordinator whose contributions in advancing OT practice in autism will continue to impact current and future generations of OT practitioners globally.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Recognition of Achievement Award page.

Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

We recognize Dr. Roxanna Bendixen as a compassionate mentor, teacher, scientist, and friend. 

Dr. Bendixen is an internationally recognized occupational therapy practitioner, educator, and scientist with over 23 years of leadership and mentorship experience.

Dr. Bendixen is described as a generous mentor who respects the distinct goals and values of each mentee. Her laboratory promotes a nourishing and respectful environment, empowering students to take ownership of small projects and encouraging creative thinking and leadership. She is unyielding in her drive to advocate and make connections for her mentees that lead to significant professional development.

Dr. Bendixen gracefully leads through learning opportunities modeling compassion and understanding, as well as advocacy and collaboration. She has emerged as one of the most sought-after mentors at the University of Pittsburgh and was chosen to serve on a school-wide Mentoring & Career Development Task Force creating mentor/mentee resources and designing outcome measures to assess mentoring relationships.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Outstanding Mentor Award page.

Rawan AlHeresh, MScOT, PhD, OTR/L

We honor Dr. Rawan AlHeresh as an Innovator in Community Based Rehabilitation for Refugees.

Dr. AlHeresh has worked with numerous health professionals to build community-based rehabilitation infrastructure in low and middle-income countries so that, in the absence of health care institutions, people can maximize local resources. In June 2018, she founded “Toward an All-Inclusive Jordan”, an academic-community partnership program to expand access to OT in refugee camps changing the lives of over 300 displaced families who previously had no access to services.

Dr. AlHeresh has positively influenced the health, welfare, education, and occupational needs of an international community, while guiding and preparing emerging practitioners to assist others through an occupational therapy lens. Additionally, she has advocated for occupational therapy and served as a collaborator with educational programs, world-renowned journals, and national and international associations to support ongoing and sustainable programing for underserved communities.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the International Service Award page.

Amy Burt, EdD, MOT, OTR/L

This year, we are pleased to recognize Dr. Amy Burt for interprofessional education development across university health sciences.

Dr. Burt has been instrumental in the development of interprofessional education modules and events utilized throughout the health sciences campus of West Virginia University as a member of the Interprofessional Education Steering Committee within the School of Medicine. She leads interprofessional group discussions with students from 13 different health sciences programs.

Dr. Burt has developed interdisciplinary education programs focused on neonatal abstinence syndrome and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, inclusive musical theater programs and a complex feeding and swallowing clinic for children, and the Interdisciplinary Education Apartment Simulation (IDEAS) where health sciences students collaborate to address post-surgical needs of patients following discharge to home.

For all of these personal and professional accomplishments, we congratulate Dr. Amy Burt.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Interprofessional Collaboration Award page.

Frederick B. Covington, OTD, CAS, CAPE, CA

Dr. Frederick B. Covington is honored for Never ever dimming his occupational therapy light.

As a CEO and business leader, Dr. Covington created the “Occupational Therapy Insights” app, garnering over 20,000 downloads per month, and three online shows: Ask the OT, OT2Me, and Analyze My Toy.

During the pandemic, he teamed with Meta (formerly Facebook) to create VR-OT and was granted direct access to the Oculus VR platform to directly upload virtual occupational therapy sessions.

Dr. Covington is a founding steering committee member of the Black-male Registered Occupational Therapy Healthcare-professionals Assistants & Students (BROTHAS), focused on mentoring and recognizing African American males in the occupational therapy profession.



Patricia Jean Precin, PhD, PsyaD, NCPsyA, LP, OTR/L, FAOTA

Dr. Patricia Jean Precin is recognized as a Pioneer in the Advancement of Behavioral Health.

Recognizing gaps in traditional mental health services, Dr. Precin developed behavioral health in underrepresented community settings void of OT. Her contributions have focused on welfare to work, trauma informed care following 9/11 and the COVID pandemic, homelessness, foster families, expert legal testimony, mental health fieldwork, substance use, and post-secondary educational supports for Asperger’s syndrome.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Award for Excellence in the Advancement of OT page.

Lisa Jaegers, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Dr. Lisa Jaegers is recognized for her research on the detrimental effects of working in corrections including post-traumatic stress, depression, and burnout while identifying best practices to address organizational stress and trauma in prisons and jails.

Dr. Jaegers co-developed and implemented “Occupational Therapy Transition and Integration Services” programming and reentry plans for people sent to prison as juveniles serving sentences of life without the option of parole or release from prison.

Finally, Dr. Jaegers’ work to organize Justice-based Occupational Therapy, as a grassroots network in criminal justice, sheds light on innumerable possibilities for expansion of OT in community practice to support population health.



Stephen B. Kern, PhD, OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA

Dr. Stephen B. Kern is recognized for his Occupational-justice based education, community-practice, leadership & scholarship.

His advocacy has resulted in the creation of many significant programs for underserved populations in Philadelphia including Salvation Army Homeless Shelters, Philadelphia Prevention Point which is a harm reduction/needle exchange program serving intravenous drug users, sex industry workers, and the current opioid epidemic, and the Nationalities Service Center, a refugee resettlement and health services program.

Through an occupational justice lens, Dr. Kern applies his expertise to create new programs and opportunities for underserved and marginalized communities by collaborating and partnering with others, including members of the communities they serve.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Emerging & Innovative Practice Award page.

Amiya Waldman-Levi, PhD, OTR/L

Anita Bundy, ScD, OT, FAOTA

Dana Shai, PhD


This year, our recipients are co-authors Drs. Amiya Waldman-Levi, Anita Bundy, and Dana Shai, for the article titled, Cognition Mediates Playfulness Development in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Study of Typically Developing Children

Drawing from a larger longitudinal study, the authors observed 6, 18, and 24-month-old infants playing with their mothers in laboratory-controlled conditions and at home. They found a progression in playfulness behavior that is dependent on children’s cognitive functioning. Understanding the development of playfulness and exploring its relationship with cognitive functioning fills important gaps in occupational therapy knowledge and contributes to the design and delivery of early intervention, especially when development is at risk.

Cognition Mediates Playfulness Development in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Study of Typically Developing Children, by Amiya Waldman-Levi, Anita Bundy, and Dana Shai. 2022. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(5), 7605205020. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.049120.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Cordelia Myers AJOT Best Article Award page.

Anah Gunesch, OTD, OTR/L




Sarah Foidel, OTD, OTR/L

This year, Drs. Jennifer Bresley, Anah Gunesch, Sarah Foidel are co-authors of the February 2022 OT Practice article titled “New Dementia Care Tool, Benefits Caregivers.”

This article highlights how occupational therapy practitioners led an interdisciplinary team to identify individuals with challenging behaviors using an assessment template to expedite the evaluation of a person with dementia care needs. The standardized template and educative handouts support communication and collaboration between team members and caregivers, serving as a guide to the person’s specific intervention plan so the team can continually reinforce the plan at each visit. Providing tools and strategies to caregivers creates a foundation for positive interactions between themselves and the person with dementia.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Jeanette Bair Writer's Award page.

Carol Lambdin-Pattavina, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, CTP



Laura Dart, MSOT, OTR/L

Dr. Carol Lambdin-Pattavina and Ms. Laura Dart are co-authors of the August 2022 SIS Quarterly Practice Connection article titled “Complex Trauma and Neurodiversity: What Happens in Childhood Doesn’t’ Always Stay in Childhood”

This article recognizes how the challenges from which our clients have emerged shape their occupational identities, their world views, and, subsequently, their neurodiversity. Utilizing a trauma-responsive lens sparks us to re-envision our practice. Behind every behavior is a feeling, and behind every feeling is a need. Identifying these needs as early as possible is crucial to promoting positive mental health and preventing today’s insecure attachment from becoming a future diagnosis of a mental illness.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Special Interest Section Quarterly Excellence in Writing Award page.

Hannah Oldenburg, EdD, OTR/L, BCPR



Kimberley Persons, DHS, OTR/L, CLA

Dr. Hannah Oldenburg and Dr. Kimberley Persons completed an evidence-based practice project with first-year graduate students at St. Catherine University. Six weeks of didactic course and lab instruction highlighted AOTA's Choosing Wisely campaign purpose and relevance paired with instruction on the evidence-based practice process. Students utilized case studies to formulate evidence-based practice questions, and to search, critique, and summarize literature guided by the Choosing Wisely recommendations. Project outcomes were disseminated asynchronously in collaboration with the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association providing an overview of the Choosing Wisely campaign, resources for implementing the recommendations, and case scenario findings. Additionally, findings were disseminated through a public, open-access repository called SOPHIA Scholar for use by practitioners, students, administrators, and the public.



Shivani Vij, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Shivani Vij set about changing her practice in home health after learning of the Choosing Wisely recommendations by seeking literature on the effect of occupation-based interventions on clients’ intrinsic motivation to participate in therapy. Thereafter, Dr. Vij started incorporating purposeful activities such as dressing and self-feeding and saw positive effects. She presented the Choosing Wisely recommendations at a rehabilitation symposium to over 50 attendees representing occupational therapy and physical therapy practitioners, speech therapists, and rehabilitation aides. She provided examples of how the Choosing Wisely recommendations can be used, and how it changed her practice. This led to discussions about how occupation-based interventions can replace non-purposeful activities to increase client motivation and positive therapeutic outcomes.

To learn more about this award’s history and criteria, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the Choosing Wisely Champion Recognition Award page.

Download a list of 2023 AOTA Service Commendations