Mary J. Bridle Award

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Encouraging First Research in Occupational Therapy

Award Amount: $2,500 annually

The Mary J. Bridle First Research Award fosters scholarship and encourages first research efforts within the occupational therapy community. This Pi Theta Epsilon member-exclusive award supports students, young practitioners, and recent graduates conducting their initial formal research projects, helping to build the foundation for lifelong scholarly contributions to the field.

The Mary J. Bridle Award provides an opportunity for Pi Theta Epsilon members to:

  • Have their research manuscript reviewed by experts in the field
  • Be considered for publication in OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research
  • Receive recognition and financial support for their first research effort
  • Build confidence and experience as emerging OT researchers

This award supports Pi Theta Epsilon’s mission to promote research and scholarly activities within the field of occupational therapy.

Pi Theta Epsilon membership required. Any occupational therapy student, practitioner, or researcher who is a member in good standing of Pi Theta Epsilon may submit a manuscript provided the following criteria are met:

Educational Status

Applicants must be one of the following:

  • Currently enrolled as a student in an entry-level or post-professional clinical OT program
  • Currently enrolled as a PhD, ScD, EdD, or post-doctoral student in a rehabilitation-related program
  • Within three years post-graduation from one of the academic programs listed above

Authorship Requirements

The applicant must be an author of the study. Applicants may submit as a team if multiple Pi Theta Epsilon members are co-authors on a manuscript. The monetary award will be provided to the chapter for distribution at the chapter advisor’s discretion.

Submitted manuscripts must:

  • Not have been published before nor in the process of publication elsewhere at the time of submission for the Mary J. Bridle Award.
  • Clearly demonstrate significance to the field of occupational therapy
  • Include a logical development of the rationale for the study and research question
  • Be methodologically correct
  • Be clearly written in a publishable format
  • Not identify the student or educational program (for blinded review)

Deadline: [September deadline – contact PTE national office for specific date]

Submission Requirements:

  • Letter of Intent: A brief outline of your project (1-2 sentences) detailing the OT topic. The title of your manuscript is acceptable.
  • Research Manuscript: Prepared for blinded review
  • Curriculum Vitae: CV for each author
  • Cover Letter: Must include contact information and definitive statements regarding study initiation and relationship to educational program
  • Recent Photograph: Of applicants suitable for reproduction (high resolution 300 dpi or greater, .jpg preferred)

How to Apply:
 Submit all application materials to the PTE national office

Review Process:
The PTE Executive Committee and National Coordinator organize a review of all submitted manuscripts. The award is granted annually when qualifying manuscripts are received.

Recognition:
 Recipients are announced in the Scroll & Pen newsletter and recognized at the PTE Annual Business Meeting during the AOTA Annual Conference.

2026 – Dr. Randi Johnson Hanson PP-OTD, OTR/L, Rocky Mountain College
The Occupation of Storytelling: Sharing of Collective Gifts

2024 – Cortney Leverentz, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CLT, Creighton University
Telehealth Lifestyle Pilot Study for Improving Occupational Performance in Older Adults

2023 – Sarah Synek, OTD, OTR/L, Creighton University
The Effectiveness of Upper Extremity Orthotic Interventions on Functional Participation for Adults with Stroke: A Systematic Review

2022 – Clarissa R. Stanhope, OTD, OTR/L, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
Accessible Tourism: Disability Advocacy to Address Tourism for People with Disabilities2021 – Keri Kamphoff, University of South Dakota
Occupational Therapists Addressing Quality of Life Issues for Clients with Lymphedema

2018 – Rylie Power
The Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) on Romantic Relationships

2017 – Elizabeth Torrez, OTD, OTR/L
Examining Occupational Therapy Interventions for Children with Handwriting Difficulties

2016 – Sara S. Ulfers
Occupational Therapists’ Perceived Knowledge Needs on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairments2014 – Beta Delta Chapter, Nova Southeastern University
Health Care Profession Students’ Knowledge about Occupational Therapy

2007 – Laureen R. Franklin, MS, OTR/L
Behavior Problems and Sensory Processing in Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

2005 – Kimberly A. Van Den Wymelenberg, MS, OTR/L
Early Intervention Service Eligibility: Implications of Using Different Editions of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales and Different Types of Scores

2002 – Dorothy “Dottie” Handley-More
Facilitating Written Work Using Word Processing and Word Prediction

2001 – Renee Watling, MS, OTR/L
Current Practice of Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism2000 – Roxann Beauregard, MOT, OTR/L, MS, CCC-SLP
Quality of Reach During a Game and During a Rote Movement in Children with Cerebral Palsy

1999 – Beth Hall, MOT, OTR/L and Lisa Ross, MOT, OTR/L
An Examination of the Effect of Materials on Occupational Performance Through Kinematics Analysis of Eating

1998 – Kyle Russell
Use of Occupational Therapy Aides in Occupational Therapy Practice

1997 – Mary Ponte-Allan, MOT
Goal Setting and Functional Outcomes in Rehabilitation

1996 – Claire Yanoshak, MS, OTR/L
Impact of Spinal Cord Injury on the Life Roles of Women

1995 – Sheri Zimmerer-Branum
Occupationally Embedded Exercise

1994 – Steven Park, MS, OTR/L, University of the Sciences

Questions?

Contact the PTE national office at pte@aotf.org or call (240) 292-1077 for information about application requirements, deadlines, or the review process.