AOTA, AOTF name first-ever recipient of Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) named Katerina Garbis as the first recipient of the Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship in Occupational Therapy. Garbis is a second-year student in the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Chicago.

“I was drawn by the community care aspect of OT and how we encourage working with empathy at the forefront and by considering all aspects of a person,” Garbis said. “As occupational therapists, we help people who may feel like they are at the lowest point in their life, where being unable to complete a part of a routine may feel dehumanizing and frustrating.

“I realized I would be a comforting figure in people's lives as an occupational therapist, and someone my patients found approachable in such a vulnerable time.”

After graduation, Garbis plans to work in a pediatric setting in the Chicago area.

Awarded annually, the $2,000 scholarship was established in the memory of beloved longtime AOTA employee, Lands Banks, who passed away in 2023. Known for his magnetic and uplifting personality, Banks served as AOTA’s Manager of Administration and Facilities for more than 25 years.

“His hugs were so healing. He had a way of talking with you that reduced your stress level and made you feel important,” said a colleague at his memorial service.

Banks’s catchphrase, “I got you” is featured in a commemorative product line sold on AOTA’s online storefront (promoteot.com). A portion of the proceeds from all sales are donated to the scholarship.

Full-time students pursuing an entry-level degree, i.e., OTA, MOT, MSOT or OTD at an AOTA accredited US institution and who have completed at least one year of coursework are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Candidates must also demonstrate their role in community service and/or a service leadership role. 

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year open January 2026. Learn more at AOTF’s scholarship website.