Golden-Trophy-1200x791-BG

2024 AOTA Awards & Recognitions

Congratulations to the recipients, which were honored at the 2024 Awards & Recognitions ceremony on March 23, 2024. 

Inspire-2024-575x575

Congratulations!

Each year, AOTA and AOTF recognize and honor colleagues who have made significant contributions to the profession of occupational therapy. Each organization’s respective committee is responsible for reviewing nominations and making final selections from each of the outstanding candidates. This tradition is a source of pride within the profession. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to increase public awareness and focus attention on the contributions of individuals, and of the profession as a whole.

AOTA Awards

The 2024 recipients of AOTA’s prestigious awards

AOTA Roster of Honors

The Roster of Honor, established in 1979, cognizes occupational therapy assistants who through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/or guidance have made a significant contribution over time to the profession with a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the Association. In 2023, eight (8) new Roster of Honor awardees are recognized for this distinction.

Delvin Champagne
Embracing Unconventional Practice-settings, Advocacy, Networking & Coalition Building

Delvin Ranard Champagne

MSHE, CHES, COTA/L, ATP
Laura Deary
Excellence in Leadership, Practice, Service, and Advocacy

Laura Deary

BS, COTA/L
Kory Hall
Exemplary Service and Leadership to the Profession

Kory J. Hall

BA, COTA/L, ROH
Marita Hensley
Outstanding Commitment to Students, Fieldwork, and OT Advocacy

Marita T. Hensley

COTA/L
Andre Johnson
Be Kind and Useful Sharing Your Light

André C. Johnson

COTA/L, OTS
Amy Shaffer
Championing OTA rights, advancing profession with advocacy

Amy L. Shaffer

EdD, COTA/L
Vicki Lee-Thomas
Strong, Inspirational, Motivating, Advocate Occupational Therapy Assistant

Vicki Lee Thomas

COTA, CDP
Christie Tuttle
Passionate, inspiring, driven, educated, supportive, and proactive leader in occupational therapy

Christie L. Tuttle

MS, COTA/L
Shannon White
Strong mentor and advocate for OTAs

Shannon White

OTA, MA, COTA/L
Audrey Wilson-Alston
Exemplary Leader, Advocate, Educator, Mentor, and Practitioner

Audrey L. Wilson-Alston

MBA,COTA/L ROH

AOTA Roster of Fellows

The Roster of Fellows, established in 1973, recognizes occupational therapist members of AOTA who, through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and guidance have made a significant contribution over time to the profession with a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the Association. In 2023, 34 new Fellows join this distinguished society.

Cynthia Abbott Gaffney
Advancing Best Practices in Telehealth

Cynthia R. Abbott-Gaffney

OTD, MA, OTR/L
Tara-Casandra-Alexander
Outstanding clinician, leader and contributor to profession!

Tara C. Alexander

OTR, CPC
Jennifer Lynn-Allison
Community-Based Practitioner/Scholar, Educator, Advocate, Facilitative Leader

Jennifer Lynn Allison

OTD, OTR/L, BCMH, CCAP
Kate Barlow
International leadership in advancing pediatric practice

Kate G. Barlow

OTD, OTR/L, IMH-E®
Molly Bathje
Exceptional Contribution in Scholarship and Community Service

Molly Bathje

PhD, OTR/L
Elise Bloch
Family and Patients can Change the System

Elise M. Bloch

EdD, OT/L
creating evidence-based practices in community-based mentoring program

Tiffany Bolton

OTD, MOT, OTR/L, FAOTA
Sarah-Bream
Mental health, educational, administrative and advocacy excellence

Sarah Bream

OTD, OTR/L
Anthony Cunningham
Empowering future practice through creative innovation

Deek Cunningham

MS, OTR/L
Elizabeth DeIuliis
Innovative Leader in OT Professional Practice

Elizabeth D. DeIuliis

MOT, OTD, OTR/L, CLA, FNAP, FAOTA
Rhonda Tapp
Advancing the profession through advocacy and service

Rhonda Tapp Edwards

MS, OTR/L
Brad Egan
Promoting mental well-being through group interventions

Brad E. Egan

OTD, PhD, CADC, OTR/L
Kathleen Eglseder
Expert clinician, resolute educator, advocate, leader, researcher

Kate Eglseder

ScD, OTR/L, CLT
Kimberly Erler
Leader in advancing bioethics and translational neuroscience

Kimberly Erler

OT, PhD
Cynthia Evetts
Occupation-Centered Mental Health Advocate and Mentor

Cynthia Lee Evetts

PhD, OTR
Sarah E. Fabrizi
Creating Play Opportunities for Children and Families

Sarah Elizabeth Fabrizi

PhD, OTR/L
OT Neurological Conditions Leader, Advocate, and Innovator

Sarah Foidel

OTD, OTR/L
Whitney-Lee-Henderson
Inspiring and Innovative Approach to Teaching/ Mentoring

Whitney Henderson

OTD, MOT, OT/L
Shanese Higgins
Called to Inspire: Authenticity, Perseverance, Hope, Justice

Shanese Lynette Higgins

DHSc, MOT, OTR/L, BCMH
Nancy Hock
Extraordinary Leadership, Advocacy, Mentorship, and Scholarship

Nancy S. Hock

PhD, OTRL, CHT
Suzanne-Holm
Inspiring best practice through scholarship and service.

Suzanne E. Holm

OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
Catherine Hoyt
Clinician scientist igniting equity across the profession

Catherine Rose Hoyt

PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Ricky-Joseph
Impact Through Service, Interprofessional Education, and Leadership

Ricky Joseph

PhD, MA-HRM, OTR, FAOTA
Audrey Kane
service, leadership, advocacy for diversity and inclusivity

Audrey E. Kane

PhD, OTR/L
Erika Kemp
Advancement in Capstone Education and Drowning Prevention

Erika L. Kemp

OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCP
Sherry Kolodziejczak
Excellence in Leadership, Advocacy, and Interprofessional Practice

Sherry Kolodziejczak

MS, OTR/L
Nancy Krusen
Sustained Impact Through Education, Leadership, and Mentoring

Nancy E. Krusen

PhD, OTR/L
Carol Lambdin-Pattavina headshot
Advocacy for Occupational Therapy in Mental Health

Carol A. Lambdin-Pattavina

MSOT, OTD, OTR/L, CTP, FAOTA
Debra Latour
Innovator and Leader in Education and Practice

Debra A. Latour

OTD, MEd, OTR/L
Sook-Lei Liew
Innovative leadership in stroke rehabilitation and recovery

Sook-Lei Liew

PhD, OTR/L
Brenda Lyman
Advancing the profession through strong leadership

Brenda K. Lyman

OTD, OTR/L
Cindy Mathena
Dr. Mathena’s leadership elevates OT's national visibility

Cindy Mathena

PhD, OT/L
Keli Mu
Advancing OT through scholarship and international exchange

Keli Mu

PhD, OTR/L
Debra Ouellette
Excellence in Clinical Practice, Mentorship, and Service

Debra Susan Ouellette

MS, OTR/L, BCPR, SCLV,FNAP
Pagpatan
Impactful leadership through fostering community and trust

Vikram Pagpatan

EdD, OTR/L, CLA, FAOTA, BCP, ATP
Mary-Beth-Patnaude
Committed therapist, educator, leader, editor, writer, advocate

Mary Elizabeth Patnaude

DHSc, OTR/L
Katie Polo
Exemplary Scholarship and Advocacy in Cancer Care

Katie M. Polo

DHS, OTR, CLT-LANA
Rachel Proffitt
Leader and scientist translating technology to practice

Rachel Proffitt

OTD, OTR/L
Paula Rabaey
Leadership in advocacy for family occupations internationally

Paula Ann Rabaey

PhD, MPH, OTR/L
Samia Rafeedie
Teacher, mentor and servant

Samia Husam Rafeedie

OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
Khalilah-Robinson-Johnson
Advancing antiracist leadership, research, education, and practice

Khalilah Robinson Johnson

PhD, MS, OTR/L
Laura Schmelzer
Advancing Occupation-based Practice Through Education and Research

Laura Schmelzer

PhD, OTR/L
Kim Schoessow
Low Vision Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy Education

Kim Schoessow-Aldaz

OTD, OTR/L, SCLV
Jaclyn Schwartz
Advancing medication management and strengthening professional leadership

Jaclyn K. Schwartz

PhD, OTR/L
Sen Sanchala
Nurturing educator, evidence-informed clinician, mentor, cross-cultural advocate

Sanchala K. Sen

OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCPR
Susan Hermes
Leadership, Practice, and Community Expertise Across Lifespan

Susan Skees Hermes

OTD, OTR/L, BCP, BCTS
Linda Struckmeyer
Dedicated Leader, Educator, Advocate: Shaping Occupational Therapy

Linda R. Struckmeyer

PhD, OTR/L
Kelly Tanner
Generating evidence and creatively linking with practitioners

Kelly Tanner

PhD, OTR/L, BCP
Janice Triglio-Tona
Visionary Roles in Education, Advocacy and Practice

Janice Trigilio Tona

PhD, OTR, CLA
A. Waldman Levi
Extraordinary occupational therapy practitioner, scholar, and educator

Amiya Waldman-Levi

PhD, OTR/L
Sandra Whisner
Inspiring Leader, Champion of Occupational Therapy

Sandra Michele Whisner

OTR, PhD
roped-walkway

AOTF Awards

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is proud to recognize exemplary colleagues who have made significant and sustained contributions to the mission of AOTF to advance the science of occupational therapy to support people’s full participation in meaningful life activities.

2024 AOTF Awardees

AOTA Awards & Recognitions Committee Members

  • Chairperson: Susan McDonald, EdD, OTR/L
  • Cynthia S. Bell, MS, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
  • DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L
  • Anna Haertling Clearman, MOT, OTR, CLT
  • Beth Johnson, MS, OTR/L
  • Robin Pegg, MEd, COTAL, ROH, ATP
  • Pamela Stephenson, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA