Every year, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) bestows awards and honors to individuals that contribute time, energy, and support to the fulfillment of the AOTF mission- advancing the science of occupational therapy. The awards are presented annually at the AOTA/AOTF Awards Ceremony during the AOTA Annual Conference, this year it's April 26.

ACADEMY OF RESEARCH 
Kathleen Doyle Lyons, ScD, OTR/L, Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire 
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM, University of Southern California Los Angeles, California 

AOTF EARLY CAREER RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD
Chih-Ying "Cynthia" Li, PhD, OTR/L, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

AOTF MID-CAREER RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD
Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

FRED SAMMONS VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD
Patricia Booth, MAT, Chicago, Illinois

AOTF A. JEAN AYRES AWARD
Leah Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California  
Scott D. Tomchek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

AOTF VIRGINIA SCARDINA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, Piller Child Development, LLC, Phoenix, Arizona

AOTF MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD 
Tara C. Alexander, OTR/L, CPC, North Texas Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 
Roger I. Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA, George Washington University, Washington, DC 
Mary C. Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

AOTF LEADERSHIP SERVICE COMMENDATION
Wendy J. Coster, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
M. Pollie Price, PhD, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

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Congratulations to our 2021 Nedra Gilette Endowed Research Fellowship Awardee, Emily Kilroy, MS, Ph.D., University of Southern California Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Neural Correlates of Sensory Processing In Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

“This research project will inform the development of targeted occupational therapies for children with Autism and co-occurring sensory processing difficulties by identifying unique neural mechanisms related to social and non-social sensory processing and investigating how activity in sensory-related brain regions is related to barriers to occupational engagement. I extend particular thanks to my research mentors Dr. Aziz-Zadeh and Dr. Cermak for their continuous support and guidance.”

To honor its namesake Nedra Gillette, the Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship award is in support of a postdoctoral researcher's foundational occupational therapy study into the human condition.  Please make a gift to help us support the future of OT, strengthen evidence-based practice and improve the quality of care. Your generosity will secure this scholarship for generations of OTs. 

Congratulations to our Kielhofner Research Scholarship Awardee, Rachelle Brick, MSOT, OTR/L, PhD Candidate, University of Pittsburgh, Developing a Stakeholder-Driven Cancer Rehabilitation Intervention for Older Adults with Breast Cancer.

“This study is innovative as it unites perspectives of key stakeholders to create more accessible, effective, and valued interventions. This work would not be possible without the strong mentorship of Drs. Elizabeth Skidmore, Natalie Leland, Catherine Bender, Pamela Toto, and Kathleen Doyle-Lyons.”

Dr. Gary Kielhofner, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA, was one of the most influential and transformational figures in occupational therapy. Central to Gary's devotion to the science of OT was the development of new research talent. Please make a gift to help us support the future of OT, strengthen evidence-based practice and improve the quality of care. Your generosity will secure this scholarship for generations of OTs. 

Advancing the science of occupational therapy, AOTF awards recognize individuals who work towards this goal.

Nominate a colleague or yourself by September 1, 2020. Extended to Sept. 15!

Mid-Career Research Award recognizes and supports individuals 6-15 post completion of doctorate who have contributed to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy.

Early-Career Research Excellence Award recognizes and supports investigators up to 6 years post completion of doctoral degree, who are contributing and have promise to advance knowledge in the field of occupational therapy.

A. Jean Ayres Award recognizes individuals who are committed to the research-related development or testing of theory in occupational therapy with priority given to work in the area of sensory processing.

Virginia Scardina Award of Excellence provides an award and honorarium for an occupational therapy clinician who demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based practice through participation in research that advances theory in the area of brain-behavior relationships and/or sensory processing disorders.

Learn more about all AOTF Awards and Honors.

The AOTF Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardo recognizes and supports investigators who have contributed to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy.

The 2020 recipient, Elizabeth A. Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, Associate Professor Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, College of Public Health, Temple University discusses her journey and work enhancing community participation for transitional youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and serious mental illness.

Learn more about AOTF Awards and Grants.