Each year, AOTA recognizes and honors colleagues who have made significant contributions to the profession of occupational therapy through an annual nomination process.  The Awards & Recognitions Committee (ARC) is responsible for reviewing nominations and making the final selections.  This tradition is a source of pride within the profession and provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of occupational therapy and highlight the contributions of individuals and the impact they made.  The following is a list of awards available for nomination.

OT Award of Merit (Est. 1950)

OTA Award of Merit [formerly OTA Award of Excellence, renamed in 2026] (Est. 1976)

Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award (Est. 1954)

Roster of Fellows (Est. 1973)

Roster of Honor (Est. 1979)

Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Est. 2023)

Award for the Advancement of Occupational Therapy (Est. 1973 - Certificate of Appreciation; 2015 renamed)

Lindy Boggs Award (Est. 1982)

Health Advocate Award (Est. 1983)

Terry Brittell OTA/OT Partnership Award (Est. 1991)

Recognition of Achievement Award (Est. 1996)

Gary Kielhofner Emerging Leader Award (Est. 2011)

Outstanding Mentor Award (Est. 2011)

Outstanding Student Advocate Award (Est. 2015)

Innovation in Practice Award (Est. 2015, renamed 2026)

Distinguished Fieldwork Educator Award (Est. 2015)

International Service Award (Est. 2015) 

Interprofessional Collaboration Award (Est. 2015)

Distinguished Educator Award (Est. 2019)

 

Rev. 07/2026

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