awards

OTA Award of Excellence

Established in 1976, the OTA Award of Excellence is the highest AOTA honor recognizing an occupational therapy assistant.

Description and purpose

  • To award the highest Association honor recognizing an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) who has demonstrated extensive leadership through sustained and significant contributions to the profession.
  • To increase awareness of occupational therapy as a profession.
  • To instill in members a desire to contribute to the development and growth of the profession and the Association in clinical practice, public relations, education, recruitment, research, and/or administration.
  • To focus public attention on the scope of occupational therapy to the end that many may be influenced to consider occupational therapy as a career and profession.

Minimal requirements

  • The nominee shall have demonstrated an outstanding and extensive contribution to the profession of occupational therapy.
  • The nominee shall have served as a leader within occupational therapy and society, fostering growth and development of the profession and the Association. Both scholarly contribution and volunteer organizational leadership will be considered.

Specific information regarding award

  • One award may be given per year.
  • If the recipient of this award is not a Roster of Honor member, they shall be designated as a member of the Roster of Honor of the Association and will be presented with a Roster of Honor Certificate at the time the Award of Excellence is announced.