Congratulations Are in Order!
No AOTA Conference is complete without its annual night to celebrate the best, brightest and most dedicated. Last night's awards ceremony honored dozens of OTs who have helped advance the profession through research, practice, education, scholarship, advocacy and more.
AOTA and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation handed out some of their highest awards. The AOTA Award of Merit went to former AOTA President Barbara Kornblau, JD, OT/L, FAOTA, DAAPM, CCM, CDMS for "leading, mentoring and inspiring our profession's future."
Janice Burke, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, received the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award. Dr. Burke will present her lecture at next year's conference in Orlando.
M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, received a high and prestigious honor, the AOTA/AOTF Presidents' Commendation Award. Dr. Baum served two separate terms as AOTA President, and also served as President of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Thomas Fisher, PhD, OTR, CCM, FAOTA, received the Lindy Boggs Award for his efforts in political advocacy. Dr. Fisher was integral to Indiana's successful efforts to attain occupational therapy licensure, and is now helping craft the regulations for licensure. Twenty years ago, he spearheaded a similar successful attempt at licensure in Kentucky.
Other honorees of the night included:
Academy of Research
Leeanne Carey, BAppSc(OT), PhD
Nancy A. Baker, ScD, OTR/L
A. Jean Ayres Award
Shelly Lane, PhD, OTR/L
Susanne Smith Roley, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Virginia Scardina Award of Excellence
Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L
AOTF Meritorious Service Award
Phyllis Bauer Madachy
Cordelia Myers Writer's Award
Marian Arbesman, PhD, OTR/L
Jeanette Bair Writer's Award
Jean McKinley-Vargas, MS, OTR/L
Katherine Thomas, MS, OTR/L
Recognition of Achievement Award
Sarah Burton, MS, OTR/L
Margaret Kaplan, PhD, OTR
Jane Painter, EdD, OTR/L
AOTA Roster of Fellows
Sue Berger, MS, OTR/L, BCG
Shirley A. Blanchard, PhD, OTR/L
Patrick J. Bloom, MA, OTR/L
Patricia L. Bowyer, EdD, MS, OTR/L
Kathleen Hampton Conyers, MEd, OTR/L
Carol A. Doehler, MS, OTR/L
Sandra M. Dunbar, DPA, OTR/L
Sharon A. Gutman, PhD, OTR
Carol H. Gwin, OT/L
Claudia List Hilton, PhD, OTR/L, SROT
Linda A. Hunt, PhD, OTR/L
Leslie L. Jackson, MEd, OT
Kristie Patten Koenig, PhD, OTR/L
Jaclyn Faglie Low, PhD, LOT
Ann H. Nolen, PsyD, OTR
Jane Painter, EdD, OTR/L
Monica L. Robinson, MS, OTR/L
Diane L. Smith, PhD, OTR/L
Wendy B. Stav, PhD, OTR/L, SCDCM
Scott David Tomchek, PhD, OTR/L
Additionally, over 200 professionals received 2009 Service Commendations from AOTA.