Awards Nomination Procedures and Information

NOMINATION INFORMATION

Award nomination forms must be submitted by October 26, 2009

The AOTA Recognitions Committee encourages you to recognize colleagues who have made significant contributions to the profession by nominating them for one of the awards offered by the Association each year.

Submissions will only be accepted electronically. Please send completed nomination forms to awards@aota.org.

General Information and Procedures
Additional information and instructions can be found with the nomination forms.

  1. Nominees for all awards shall be considered each year, but the awards will be made only when national recognition is merited. Individuals who are nominated and not selected may be nominated again at a later date.
  2. Any individual or organization is eligible to submit nominations and may submit nominations on their own behalf.
  3. No more than one award may be granted for the following award categories: Award of Merit, OTA Award of Excellence, Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award, and Lindy Boggs Award. More than one award may be granted in other award categories.
  4. All occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students who are nominated for an award must be members in good standing of the Association at the time of the nomination and presentation of the award.
  5. Organizations, occupational therapy students, and individuals who are not occupational therapy practitioners may be nominated only for the Health Advocate Award or Certificate of Appreciation.
  6. Prior to nominating an individual for an award, it is suggested that you read the Awards FAQs.
  7. Contact information is provided for each award. Questions and requests for clarification can be addressed to the identified Committee member prior to October 26, 2009.
  8. Awards will be presented during the Awards & Recognitions Ceremony at the AOTA Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL, April 29 - May 2, 2010.

All nominations will be evaluated for the level of participation to include oral and written communication, professional volunteer service, and impact of contributions.

AWARD OF MERIT

Description

  • The Award of Merit is the highest Association honor for an occupational therapist.

Purpose

  • TO HONOR occupational therapists who have made an outstanding global contribution to the profession of occupational therapy.
  • TO INSTILL in members a desire to contribute to the development and growth of the profession and the Association.
  • 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.
  • TO INCREASE awareness of occupational therapy as a health care profession whose body of knowledge and skills is innovative in research and in implementation of new approaches to increase the quality of life for each individual.

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapist.
  2. The nominee shall have demonstrated an outstanding global contribution to the profession of occupational therapy that enhances quality of life.
  3. The nominee shall have served as a leader within the professional and the health care community, actively fostering growth and development of the profession and the Association.

OTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Description

  • The Award of Excellence is the highest Association honor for an occupational therapy assistant.

Purpose

  • TO HONOR occupational therapy assistants who have made outstanding contribution(s) to the advancement of occupational therapy.
  • TO RECOGNIZE individuals who exemplify the highest level of technical skills and knowledge that benefit the profession of occupational therapy.
  • TO PROVIDE an incentive to contribute to the development and growth of the occupational therapy assistant, the profession, and the Association.
  • TO INCREASE awareness of occupational therapy as a health care profession.

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapy assistant.
  2. The nominee shall have demonstrated excellence in contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy. Both scholarly contribution and volunteer organizational leadership will be considered.

ELEANOR CLARKE SLAGLE LECTURESHIP AWARD

Description

  • An academic honor established as a memorial to Eleanor Clarke Slagle, one of the outstanding pioneers in the profession of occupational therapy.

Purpose

  • TO HONOR a member of AOTA who has creatively contributed to the development of the body of knowledge of the profession through research, education, and/or clinical practice.
  • TO ACKNOWLEDGE the advancement of theory, standards, and improved methods that enhance service to consumers and promote public awareness and understanding of occupational therapy.
  • TO GIVE outstanding occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants a distinctive opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with the membership.
  • TO ENABLE members to benefit from new knowledge, innovative perspectives, and significant developments in the profession.  

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant and a member of AOTA at the time of the nomination and when the award is presented.
  2. The nominee shall have made a significant contribution to the body of knowledge of the profession. This will be manifest in the development or refinement of professional theory and/or techniques that enhance clinical or educational practice and/or involvement in outstanding research activities.
  3. The nominee shall have shared his or her knowledge and inspired others through written publications and oral presentations.
  4. Both scholarly contribution and volunteer organizational leadership will be considered.

ROSTER OF FELLOWS

Description & Purpose

  • TO RECOGNIZE occupational therapists who with their knowledge and expertise have made a significant contribution to the continuing education and professional development of members of the Association.
  • TO PROVIDE an incentive to contribute to the advancement of the profession.

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapist.
  2. The nominee shall have made a significant contribution to the profession by utilizing special skills and/or knowledge in therapeutic practice, education, research, and/or administration. Both scholarly contribution and organizational leadership will be considered.

ROSTER OF HONOR

Description and Purpose

  • TO RECOGNIZE occupational therapy assistants who with their knowledge and expertise have made a significant contribution to the continuing education and professional development of members of the Association.
  • TO PROVIDE an incentive to contribute to the advancement of the profession,

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapy assistant.
  2. The nominee shall be recognized by his or her peers as having made a significant contribution to the profession by utilizing technical expertise and knowledge in therapeutic practice, education, administration/supervision, or research. Both scholarly contribution and organizational leadership will be considered.

RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Description and Purpose

  • TO RECOGNIZE occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who have made notable contributions to the profession and its consumers in a focused area of occupational therapy practice.
  • TO ENCOURAGE other occupational therapy practitioners to develop and apply knowledge and skill to the advancement of the profession and in the interest of its consumers.

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant.
  2. The nominee shall have evidence of notable contributions to practice (e.g., clinical, teaching, administration). This may include, but not be limited to:
    • Development and application of practice models, methods of evaluation, or treatment strategies that enhance service to consumers.
    • Development and application of academic, fieldwork, or continuing education models, programs, or methods that enhance professional or technical education and clinical practice.
    • Participation in research activities that benefit occupational therapy practice.
    • Involvement in advocacy activities that enhance the profession and benefit its consumers.
    • Development and application of administrative methods that enhance practice.
  3. Nominees shall be recognized by supervisors, colleagues, consumers, and/or students as having made contributions to the profession and/or consumers through the dissemination of knowledge and expertise on local, state, regional, or national levels. Both scholarly contribution and volunteer organizational leadership will be considered.

LINDY BOGGS AWARD

Description and Purpose

  • TO RECOGNIZE the significant contributions by an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant in promoting occupational therapy in the political arena by increasing recognition of occupational therapy in federal or state legislation, regulations, and/or policies or by increasing appreciation and understanding of occupational therapy by elected or appointed officials.
  • TO PROVIDE an incentive for others to take an active role in the legislative process, advocacy, and/or policy-making that affects occupational therapy.

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominee shall be an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant. Current AOTA staff members are not eligible for this award.
  2. The nominee shall have demonstrated outstanding contributions in one or more of the following categories:
    • Assuming an active role in training and organizing occupational therapists to have an impact on federal or state legislation, regulations, and/or policies.
    • Educating legislators or other key government officials about the purpose and function of occupational therapy.
    • Responding to requests for action from the Public Policy Group of AOTA.
    • Acting as an advocate for consumers of health care and educational services.
    • Playing an active role in state activities related to AOTPAC and/or state PACs.

TERRY BRITTELL OTA/OT PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Description and Purpose

  • TO RECOGNIZE an occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist who, through their collaborative efforts to promote the profession of occupational therapy, exemplify the professional partnership.
  • TO PROVIDE an incentive for other OTA/OT partnerships to contribute to the advancement of occupational therapy through an OTA/OT partnership.

Minimal Requirements

  1. The nominees shall be an occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist.
  2. The nominees shall have demonstrated evidence of collaborative OTA/OT partnership in the profession of occupational therapy.
  3. The nominees shall be recognized by their peers as having made a significant contribution by their partnership to the profession in such areas as research, practice, and education. Demonstration of partnership contribution may include, but not be limited to:
    • Development of a practice model or method of evaluation and treatment with significant application.
    • Development of academic or continuing education models, programs, or methods utilizing the OTA/OT partnership to enhance the education of both occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapists.
    • Participation in research activities that benefit the profession and that reflect the OTA/OT partnership.
  4. 4.The nominees shall be recognized by their peers as having made a significant impact on their profession through their OTA/OT partnership by:
    • significantly affecting state, regional, or national levels and
    • collaboratively demonstrating and sharing their expertise and knowledge through publications and presentations.

HEALTH ADVOCATE AWARD

Description and Purpose

  • TO EXPRESS the appreciation of AOTA for extraordinary contributions of national significance that led to the advancement of health promotion and/or health care.

Minimal Requirements

  1. Nominee shall have made significant contributions toward the advancement of health promotion and/or health care. These contributions may include, but are not limited to:
    • Legislation
    • Political support of health promotion and/or health care
    • Financial contributions
    • Leadership in improving health promotion and/or health care

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Description and Purpose

  • TO EXPRESS the appreciation of AOTA for extraordinary contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy.

Minimal Requirements

  1. Nominees shall have made a significant contribution to the advancement of occupational therapy. Their efforts could include, but are not limited to, financial contributions, political support, pioneer work, or an outstanding leadership role.
    • Members—An individual or group whose services or contributions are clearly beyond those of normal professional duties or responsibilities.
    • Nonmembers—An individual or group whose services or contributions have markedly benefited occupational therapy.

SERVICE COMMENDATION

Description and Purpose

  • TO RECOGNIZE individual members of AOTA who have provided service to the Association and/or profession through time- or task-limited activities.
  • TO RECOGNIZE individual members who have served in national offices as chairpersons of standing and ad hoc committees of the Board of Directors and committee chairpersons of the Representative Assembly.

Minimal Requirements

  1. Nominees shall have demonstrated service to the Association and/or profession through time- or task-limited activities.
  2. The following individuals will automatically receive the Service Commendation their last year in office:
    • President
    • Vice President
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • Chairpersons of Board of Directors Standing Committees
    • Chairpersons of Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committees
    • Speaker of the Representative Assembly
    • Vice Speaker of the Representative Assembly
    • Recorder
    • Chairpersons of Representative Assembly Commissions/Committees
    • Chairpersons of Special Interest Sections
    • Local Conference Committee Chairperson(s)
    • Representative and Alternate Assembly Members
    • State Affiliate Presidents

Award nomination forms must be submitted by October 26, 2009.

Last Updated: 9/21/2009
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