Awards & Honors
The American Occupational Therapy Foundation recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy research, education, and practice. Our awards celebrate leadership, innovation, and dedication to building evidence that improves lives through meaningful participation in everyday activities.
AOTF Academy of Research
About the Academy
Established in 1983, the AOTF Academy of Research recognizes individuals who have made exemplary, distinguished, and sustained contributions toward the science of occupational therapy. Membership in the Academy represents the highest honor for research achievement in our profession.
Research Excellence Awards
Established in 2019
Purpose
To recognize and support investigators who are contributing and have promise to advance knowledge in the field of occupational therapy.
Eligibility
- Nominee must be a certified occupational therapist.
- Nominee must have a research-based doctoral degree or clinical doctorate with demonstrated research experience.
- Nominee must be up to, but no more than, 6 years post-completion of doctoral degree. If the nominee has more than one doctoral degree, the 6-year post-doctoral degree requirement will begin from the first doctoral degree.
- If a nominee has had an interruption in career path during the 6-year eligibility timeframe, a one page letter detailing this interruption may be submitted and considered to determine nominee eligibility for this award.
- Nominee must show research accomplishments that have promise to contribute to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy as demonstrated by grant awards, publications, and presentations. The nominee must show promise to complete research that will have an impact on improving practice and health (e.g., has promise to make a difference in the field or for people receiving occupational therapy).
- Candidates may self-nominate.
- Individuals nominated but not selected may be re-nominated in succeeding years, if eligible.
Nomination Procedures
Please include required documents and email to AOTF Awards Program Manager by Sept. 30, 2025:
- Completed nomination form.
- Letter of nomination from nominator (must include as an addendum to the nomination letter, a short paragraph of no more than 100 words to appear in professional publications citing the nominee’s contributions).
- A statement of approximately 500 words in length outlining the nominee’s research contributions to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy and/or rehabilitation science since completion of the doctoral degree. Statement must also note the nominee’s promise for future substantive contributions that may impact practice and health.
- Two (2) letters of support.
- Current curriculum vitae of nominee which must include a list of publications, and/or presentations (seminars, symposia, workshops, scientific papers, awards, and honors).
- Reprints of two to three (2-3) publications (examples of nominee’s scholarship/contribution in field) from peer-reviewed journals.
- Recent photograph of nominee suitable for reproduction (hi-resolution 300 dpi or greater .jpeg).
Expectations of Award Recipient:
- Receive a $5,000 honorarium;
- Attend the AOTA Inspire Annual Conference & Expo and make a 30 minute presentation on research accomplishments to date at the AOTF Research Excellence Symposium.
- Submit a manuscript of their presentation for possible publication in OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, subject to the policies of OTJR and with final approval of its Editor-in-Chief.
Award Recipients
2026
Emily Kringle, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2025
Jennifer Weaver, PhD, OTR/L, CBIS, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2024
Adam R. Kinney, PhD, OTR/L, Research Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, & Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs
2023
Lisa Juckett, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
2022
Beth Fields, PhD, OTR/L, BCG University of Wisconsin, Madison Madison, Wisconsin
2021
Chih-Ying “Cynthia” Li, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
2020
Ickpyo Hong, Ph.D., OTR, Assistant Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch
Established in 2018.
Purpose
To recognize and support investigators who have contributed to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy.
Eligibility
- Nominee must be a certified occupational therapist.
- Nominee must have a research-based doctoral degree or clinical doctorate with demonstrated research experience.
- Nominee must be 6-15 years post-completion of doctoral degree. If the nominee has more than one doctoral degree, the 6-15 year post-doctoral degree requirement will begin from the first doctoral degree.
- If nominee has had an interruption in career path during the 6-15 year eligibility timeframe, a one page letter detailing this interruption may be submitted and considered to determine nominee eligibility for this award.
- Current AOTF Academy of Research members are not eligible to apply for this award.
- Nominee must show research accomplishments that contribute to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy as demonstrated by grant awards, publications, presentations and impact of work to improve practice and health (e.g., body of work makes a difference in the field or for people receiving occupational therapy).
- Candidates may self-nominate.
- Individuals nominated but not selected may be re-nominated in succeeding years if eligible.
Nomination Procedures
Please include required documents and email to AOTF Awards Program Manager by Sept. 30, 2025:
- Completed nomination form.
- Letter of nomination from nominator (must include as an addendum to the nomination letter a short paragraph of no more than 100 words to appear in professional publications citing the nominee’s contributions).
- A statement of approximately 500 words in length outlining the nominee’s research contributions to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy and/or rehabilitation science (For example, did the nominee’s work result in the adoption of a measure, intervention, approach to practice, policy or paradigm shift, etc. nationally and/or internationally? How has the work been viewed, accepted, and incorporated into research, practice, or education?).
- Three (3) letters of support.
- The nominee’s current curriculum vitae must include a list of publications and/or presentations (seminars, symposia, workshops, scientific papers, awards, and honors).
- Reprints of three (3) publications (examples of the nominee’s scholarship/contribution in the field) from peer-reviewed journals.
- A recent photograph of the nominee suitable for reproduction (hi-resolution 300 dpi or greater .jpeg).
Expectation of Award Recipient:
- Receive a $10,000 honorarium;
- Attend the AOTA Inspire Annual Conference & Exposition and make a 30-minute presentation on research accomplishments to date at the AOTF Research Excellence Symposium.
- Submit a manuscript of their presentation for possible publication in OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, subject to the policies of OTJR and with final approval of its Editor-in-Chief.
Contact AOTF Awards Program Manager.
Award Recipients
2026
Andrew C. Persch, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2025
Janet Njelesani, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy New York University, New York, NY
2024
Sook-Lei Liew, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
2023
Elizabeth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDCES, FAOTA, Director of the Lifestyle Redesign® Knowledge Mobilization Initiative, and Associate Professor, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
2022
Juleen Rodakowski, OTD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2021
Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2020
Ickpyo Hong, Ph.D., OTR, Assistant Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch
Established in 1988
Purpose
To recognize or support 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. The award is given in honor of A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, whose concentration on developing theory in support of practice was of great significance to the profession of occupational therapy.
Eligibility
- Be initially certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, formerly the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board.
- Not be serving as a member of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Board of Trustees.
Nomination Procedures
Individual American Occupational Therapy Association members or a group of members are eligible to submit nominations.
Please include required documents and email to AOTF Awards Program Manager by Sept. 30, 2025:
- Nomination form completed by the candidate.
- one-page summary of career.
- letter of nomination.
- two (2) letters of support.
- current curriculum vitae of candidate which must include a list of publications, and/or presentations (seminars, symposia, workshops, scientific papers, awards, and honors.)
- no more than five (5) reprints of publications pertinent to the award in peer-reviewed journals if applicable.
- a recent photograph of nominee (hi-resolution 300 dpi or greater).
- as an addendum to the nomination letter, a short paragraph of no more than 100 words to appear in professional publications citing the nominee’s contributions.
- Individuals nominated but not selected may be re-nominated in succeeding years.
Criteria for Selection
- Type of contribution (practice, education, or research)
- Extent of contribution (scope and depth)
- Quality of contribution
- Sphere of influence
- Recognition by others
- Benefit to the profession
Honorarium: $500
Questions
Contact AOTF Awards Program Manager.
A. Jean Ayres Award Recipients
2026
Tara J. Glennon, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor of Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
2025
Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA,Owner/Director of Clinical Operations, Piller Child Development, LLC, Phoenix, AZ
2024
Batya Engel-Yeger, PhD, OT, Professor, Social Welfare and Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
2023
Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Owner, President, TMB Occupational Therapy Resources, Inc. Norristown, Pennsylvania
2022
Sarah A. Schoen, PhD, OTR, STAR Institute, Centennial, Colorado
2021
Leah Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, University of Southern California
Scott D. Tomchek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor, Assistant Director, University of Louisville
2020
Stacey E. Reynolds, Ph.D., OTR/L, Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
2019
Stefanie Bodison, OTD, OTR/L, C/NTD
2018
Roberta (Bobbi) Pineda, PhD, OTR/L
2017
Elizabeth (Beth) A. Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP
2016
Alison E. Lane, PhD, OTR
2015
Patricia Bowyer, EdD, MS, OTR, FAOTA
2014
Dottie M. Ecker, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA
Susan H. Knox, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2013
Patricia L. Davies, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
2012
Shelley E. Mulligan, PhD, OTR/L
Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2011
Ellen S. Cohn, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Jane A. Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2010
Erna Imperatore Blanche, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Mary L. Schneider, PhD, OTR/L
2009
Shelly Lane, PhD, OTR/L
Susanne Smith Roley, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
2008
Beatriz Abreu, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Roseanne Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2005
Paula Kramer, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Zoe Mailloux, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA
2004
Catherine A. Trombley, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2003
Winifred Wiese Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
2001
Jane Case-Smith, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Wendy Coster, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
1998
L. Diane Parham, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Charlotte Brasic Royeen, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
1997
Anne C. Mosey, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
1993
Anita C. Bundy, ScD, OTR, FAOTA
1992
Georgia DeGangi, PhD, OTR
Lucy Miller, PhD, OTR
1991
Sharon A. Cermak, EdD, OTR, FAOTA
Anne G. Fisher, ScD, OTR, FAOTA
1990
Elizabeth J. Yerxa, EdD, OTR, FAOTA
1989
Janice Burke, MA, OTR
Gary Kielhofner, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA
1998
Lela Llorens. PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Kenneth Ottenbacher, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Established in 2004
Purpose
To provide annually 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. The award is given in honor of Virginia Scardina, known as “Ginny”, whose application of theory to practice was of great significance to the profession of occupational therapy. Ginny epitomized the master clinician in her use of the art of therapy. She infused enthusiasm, passion, and spirit in her interactions and facilitated growth in all of her clients, children and adults alike. Through a well-planned training program, she mentored hundreds of therapists from all over the world.
Eligibility
- Be initially certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, formerly the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board.
- Current members of the AOTF Board of Trustees are not eligible.
Nomination Procedures
Individual AOTA members or a group of members are eligible to submit nominations.
Please include required documents and email to AOTF Awards Program Manager by Sept. 30, 2025:
- Nomination form completed by the candidate and a letter of nomination from nominating individual or group if candidate is not self-nominating.
- One-page summary of career.
- Two (2) letters of support.
- A description of 250 words or less detailing the proposed use of honorarium to further the understanding of sensory integration and brain-behavior relationships as related to occupational therapy. The candidate must submit this description.
Examples of possible uses of the honorarium are: development of a workshop, writing a grant, collecting and analyzing data, attending a workshop or conference, buying books or partial tuition support for furthering education in the field of brain-behavior relationships. - Current curriculum vitae of candidate, which must include a list of contributions such as outstanding clinical expertise, presentations, seminars, symposia, workshops, scientific papers, awards and honors, and/or publications.
- No more than five (5) reprints of publications pertinent to the award published in peer-reviewed journals, if applicable.
- A recent photograph of candidate (hi-resolution 300 dpi or greater .jpg).
- A short paragraph of no more than 100 words citing the candidate’s contributions to be used for public dissemination.
- Candidates nominated but not selected may be re-nominated in subsequent years.
Criteria for Selection
- Relevance of the proposed use of the honorarium.
- Benefit to the profession of the proposed use of the honorarium.
- Extent and quality of previous contributions.
- Sphere of influence which may include areas outside occupational therapy, such as community service, public schools, etc.
- Recognition by others, which may include recognition outside the field of occupational therapy.
Honorarium: $1,000
Questions
Contact AOTF Awards Program Manager.
Virginia Scardina Award of Excellence Recipients
2026
Renee Watling, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor and Chair, School of Occupational Therapy, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
2025
Leah Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Los Angeles, CA
2024
Shelly J. Lane, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor & Academic Program Director, Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2023
Erna Imperatore Blanche, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy, Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
2022
Anita Bundy, ScD, OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA Colorado State University Ft. Collins, Colorado
2021
Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, Director of Clinical Service, Piller Child Development, LLC
2020
Karla K. Ausderau, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin – Madison
2018
Rondalyn Varney Whitney, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Heather Miller-Kuhaneck, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2017
Tara J. Glennon, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2015
Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
2014
Deborah Whitcomb, PhD, MBA, OTR/L
2011
Sarah A. Schoen, PhD,OTR/L, FAOTA
2010
Julia L. Wilbarger, PhD, OTR
2009
Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L
2008
Zoe Mailloux, MA, OTR, FAOTA
2007
Joan Dostal, OTR/L
2005
Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2004
Susanne Smith Roley, MS, OTR/L
How to Submit Nominations
Academy of Research Nomination Process
The Academy invites nominations for membership annually. After careful consideration of nominations and supporting materials, the Academy selects individuals for induction into this distinguished body of researchers. Inductees are honored at the AOTA Annual Conference & Exposition.
Nomination Deadline: October 30th annually.
Nominations for the AOTF Academy of Research should include:
- Completed nomination form
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae
- Three letters of support from Academy members or distinguished researchers
- Statement of the nominee’s contributions to occupational therapy research
Research Excellence Awards Nomination
Nominations typically require:
- Nomination letter describing the candidate’s qualifications
- Supporting documentation of achievements
- Letters of recommendation from colleagues
Leadership & Service Awards
The Board Chair and CEO recognize exemplary volunteer service to the Foundation with these awards.
Established in 1988, this award recognizes outstanding service by those who, as Committee Chairs, contribute their time, energy, and support to the fulfillment of the Foundation’s mission, goals, and objectives.
Established in 1984, this award recognizes retiring and incumbent members of the AOTF Board of Trustees who have made sustained, exemplary contributions to the Foundation’s mission.
Established in 1979, the award recognizes the outstanding service of those external to the Foundation who have contributed significantly to fulfilling the Foundation’s mission, goals, and objectives.
Established in 2017, the award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to AOTF and dedication to advancing occupational therapy through research and education.
Established in 1990, created jointly by the governing boards of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, this commendation honors a respected leader of the profession who has made sustained contributions to occupational therapy over a lifetime of service.
Recognition Ceremony
Awards and honors are typically presented during the AOTA Annual Conference & Exposition, celebrating achievements before the broader occupational therapy community. Recipients join a distinguished group of leaders who have shaped the profession through their dedication to evidence-based practice and scientific advancement.
Interested in nominating a colleague?
Contact our Awards and Recognition Committee for nomination guidelines and deadlines. Together, we celebrate the individuals who advance occupational therapy through excellence in research, education, and practice.
