2027 AOTA Awards & Recognitions
The 2027 AOTA award recipients represent excellence across the occupational therapy profession. Their achievements have strengthened practice, advanced research, and education, influenced policy and advocacy, and expanded opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners and those they serve.
AOTA Awards & Recognitions Committee Members
The Awards & Recognition Committee (ARC) is a Standing Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors. The ARC is responsible for soliciting award nominations, overseeing the selection of AOTA awards and recognitions, and recommending the creation, revision, or discontinuation of awards and recognition programs.
AOTA's 2027 Award Recipients
AOTA Roster of Honor
Established in 1979, the Roster of Honor recognizes occupational therapy assistants who have made a sustained, documented contribution to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) through volunteer service, leadership, advocacy, and/or expertise. Recipients have demonstrated a pattern of giving back to the Association, going beyond the expectations of professional practice, and have produced a measurable impact on members, consumers of occupational therapy services, or the profession as a whole.
Renee Ortega, PhD, BC-DMT, LCAT, COTA/L
Elevating education, culture, OTA representation and leadership
AOTA Roster of Fellows
Established in 1973, the Roster of Fellows recognizes occupational therapists who have made a sustained, documented contribution to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) through volunteer service, leadership, advocacy, and/or expertise. Recipients have demonstrated a pattern of giving back to the Association, going beyond the expectations of professional practice, and have produced a measurable impact on members, consumers of occupational therapy services, or the profession as a whole.
Christy Billock, PhD, OTR/L, DipACLM
Advancing OT in leadership, education, and innovation
Lorrie George-Paschal, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, CBIS
Advancing occupational therapy teaching, mentorship, and scholarship
Danielle Amero, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Strengthening the profession through advocacy and leadership
Leah Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L
Advancing sensory-informed practice through evidence translation
Aviril (Apple) Sepulveda, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, SCFES, SWC, IBCLC
Leader in infant and maternal mental health
Anna K. Domina, OTD, OTR/L
Leadership in doctoral capstone and fellowship education
Devlynn “Dev” Neu, MS, OTR/L, CSOT
Advancing inclusive occupational therapy practice and research
Tara Collins, DHS, OTR/L
Strengthened fieldwork education through sustained AOTA leadership
Piper Hansen, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
Advancing practice through clinical and professional mentorship
Elizabeth G. Hunter, MS, PhD, OTR/L
Excellence in evidence-based practice and research
Lauren Sarah Andelin, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Advancing practice through mentorship and knowledge translation
Sara Story, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, BCG, CAPS
Leading aging forward: service, safety, community impact
Kendra Heatwole Shank, PhD, OTR/L
Bridging occupational science and occupational therapy practice
Brocha Z. Stern, PhD, OTR
Transforming musculoskeletal care through value-based research
Cristina Dumitrescu, EdD, MS, OTR/L
Advancing education, developing leaders, strengthening occupational therapy
Pola Ham, EdD, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS
Advancing occupational therapy education through self-regulated learning
Jeanette Koski, OTD, OTR/L
Advanced fieldwork education through leadership and mentorship
Susie Touchinsky, OTR/L, SCDCM, CDRS
Advancing OT’s role in driving and mobility
Jennifer Ann Craft Weaver, PhD, OTR/L
Strengthening measurement, evidence translation, and practice
Mary Walsh-Sterup, OTR/L, CHT
Championing OT’s value through payment policy leadership
Alison R. Herman, DHSc, OTR/L
Extraordinary mentoring of fieldwork educators
Miranda L. Yelvington, PhD, OTR/L, BCPR, BT-C
Expanding pathways for occupational therapy in healthcare
Kathryn Sorensen, OTD, OTR/L, ADAC
Champion for disability rights and fieldwork education
Teresa Brininger, PhD, MBA, OT
Advancing OT through military and accreditation leadership
Kathy Kniepmann, OTD, MPH, EdM, CHES, BA, BSOT, OTR/L
Advancing health promotion, caregiving, and community service
Elisa Wern, MEd, OTR/L, ATP
Excellence in leadership and empowering practitioners
Theresa Delbert, OTD, OTR/L
Transforming doctoral education through capstone leadership
Candice Mullendore, MS, OTR/L
Creating lasting impact through leadership and advocacy
Lynn J. Kilburg, DHSc, MBA, OTR/L
Leadership of quality in occupational therapy accreditation
Jeanne M. Coviello, OTD, OTR/L
Passionate educator and leader advancing occupational therapy
Midge (Annamaria) Hobbs, OT, OTD, OTR, FNAP
Building leaders: elevating occupational therapy’s interprofessional voice
Lisa Tabor Connor, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L
Developing evidence-based practice and education through research
Rivka Molinsky, OTR/L, ADAC, CH, PhD
Advanced occupational therapy through inclusion and leadership
Susan Lingelbach, OTD, OTR/L
Turning volunteer service into lasting national infrastructure
Caitlin Synovec, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH, ADAC
Leadership in occupational therapy and unhoused populations
Roberta Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, CNT
Advancing neonatal care through leadership and scholarship
Stacey L. Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L, DipACLM, LRC
Strengthening practice through scholarship and translation
Ashley Halle, OTD, OTR/L, CAPS, LRC
Leadership in advanced primary and community care
Shannon H. Levandowski, OTD, EdD, OTR/L
Creating access and opportunity through occupation
Shelby Surfas, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Advanced pediatric practice through AOTA quality standards
Kathleen C. Graham, PhD, OTR/L
Scholarly stewardship through sustained multilevel collaborative practice