Health Advocate Award
Established in 1983, this award recognizes individuals whose extraordinary advocacy efforts of national significance advance health, well-being, and access to health care. The award honors leadership that influences policy and systems in ways that promote equitable opportunities for individuals, communities, and populations.
Spirit of the Award
This award honors leadership that drives national-level changes in health, well-being, and access to care. Recipients demonstrate sustained, measurable impact on policy, systems, or public understanding that advances health equity well beyond a single state or local effort.
Description and Purpose
The Health Advocate Award recognizes exceptional advocacy efforts that advance health promotion and/or health care through policy development or systems change. Recipients demonstrate sustained impact that aligns with the Association's commitment to health equity, inclusion, access, and participation.
Criteria
The nominee must be an OT or OTA who has been an AOTA member in good standing for no fewer than three consecutive years upon nomination.
The nominee has demonstrated advocacy efforts of national significance that advance health, well-being, health equity, and/or access to health care through one or more of the following:
• Policy development or reform.
• Systems change.
• Financial investment in health programs or access.
• Public engagement, education, or awareness initiatives.
Regardless of category, nominations are evaluated based on scope of contribution, documented impact, and demonstrated influence on others or systems.
Sustained and Measurable Impact
The advocacy efforts demonstrate sustained influence over time — a minimum of two (2) years — with evidence of meaningful outcomes such as nationally recognized changes in policy, practice, systems, funding, or public awareness and understanding.
Alignment with AOTA Vision
The nominee's work reflects a clear commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, participation, and population health consistent with AOTA's professional vision.
What Does Not Qualify Alone
Advocacy efforts whose impact is limited to a single local, regional, or state context without clear evidence of national influence do not qualify. Advocacy efforts that are isolated, short-term, or event-based without sustained impact of a minimum of two years or demonstrable outcomes do not qualify. Excellence in direct clinical practice, service delivery, or program implementation without a clear advocacy, policy, or system change component does not meet eligibility requirements.