Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Description and purpose

• This award was established in 2023 to honor Dr. Lela A. Llorens, an occupational therapy pioneer known throughout the profession. The purpose is to honor a member of AOTA who has utilized Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIJAB) principles to address the needs of marginalized, under-resourced, and/or underrepresented persons, groups, and populations
• To recognize an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) who has made substantial and lasting scholarly contributions to the profession.
• To honor a member of the Association who has substantially and innovatively contributed to development and sustained knowledge in advancing social justice and inclusion of the profession.
• To acknowledge the development and advancement of theory, standards, and improved methods that significantly enhance and promote equitable and inclusive service to diverse consumers and promote justice and public awareness and understanding of occupational therapy.
• To enable members to benefit from new knowledge, innovative perspectives, and significant DEIJAB developments in the profession.

Minimal requirements

• The nominee shall have made a significant contribution to the body of knowledge and advocacy of the profession. This will be manifest in the development, evaluation, and/or refinement of professional philosophy, theory, techniques, and/or advocacy that enhances inclusive practices for diverse providers or recipients of care from a group or population lens.
• The nominee shall have demonstrated a lasting commitment to the dissemination of his or her work through social advocacy as evident in initiatives, programming, publication, presentation, teaching, leadership, and mentorship.
• Volunteer group or organizational leadership will be considered.