Awards and Recognitions
Recognize an incredible practitioner for the difference they make!
Do you work alongside a colleague who consistently demonstrates client-centered and occupation-based skills and expertise?
Do you have a mentor who is always there for you? Do you partner with a Fieldwork Educator who promotes inter-professional collaboration? Do you witness the energetic, diverse, and professional connection between an OT and OTA?
Submit nominations for the awards listed below.
Nominations are due September 1. Recipients will be announced at the annual conference held in October.
ENGAGE: To submit a nomination, click here!
Please contact info@otacco.org for questions.
2021 Marjorie Ball Award of Merit Recipient Valerie Kline was nominated for the Marjorie Ball Award by the entire staff of the OT Department at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in recognition of her dedication and outstanding clinical skills. As the overall director of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department, she has displayed immense courage and commitment to the profession of occupational therapy throughout her long career, especially in response to COVID. | Past Recipients of the Majorie Ball Award of Merit
1968 - Alberta Harrah
1969 - Chloe Nelson 1970 - Not Awarded 1971 - Ellie Gilfoyle 1975 - Ann Grady 1976 - Wanda Mayberry 1978 - Doris Shriver 1980 - Bobbie Smith 1981 - Pat Christ 1985 - Agatha Jackson 1986 - Bill Lofton 1987 - Mary Hillary 1988 - Karen Spencer 1989 - Susan Johnson 1990 - Barbara Strewler 1991 - Joanie McMullen 1992 - Patrice O'Reilly 1993 - Wanda Mayberry 1995 - Constance Mullens 1996 - Rosalie Lewin 1997 - Anne Fisher 1998 - Lois Hickman 1999 - Cynthia Cano 2000 - Wanda Mayberry 2001 - Anita Bundy 2002 - Pam DiPasquale-Lehnerz 2003 - Dottie Davis 2004 - Lucy Jane Miller 2005 - Susan Zekert 2006 - Becky Robler 2007 - Terry Hawkins 2008 - Susan Woodmansee 2009 - Janice Hinds 2010 - Not awarded 2011 - Not awarded 2012 - Not awarded 2013 - Pat McKenna 2014 - Karen Atler 2015 - Audrey Aguilar 2016- Suzanne Holm 2017 - Terri Cassidy 2018 - Patty Stutz-Tanenbaum 2019 - Lucy Bosio 2020 - Bailey LeBoeuf Johnson 2021 - Valerie Kline |
2021 Agatha Jackson COTA Award of Excellence Recipient Amber Sand is a COTA who has been extremely active in the OTAC community for years. She served as a past chairperson of the Membership Services committee, and now serves at the NBCOT liaison to OTAC. In addition to her advocacy and service to OTAC and NBCOT, Amber is known as a passionate, experienced professor by her students. Many younger therapists and therapy assistants look up to her as a role model of active professional engagement and service at the local, state, and national levels. She has donated countless hours to OTAC in her career and inspired her students to become more active in professional governance. On a personal note, her passion as my professor sparked my own interest in joining OTAC as a student representative and to later serve as the Chairperson for the Communications Committee! As with many others, my own career and professional development have been greatly aided by observing her active engagement and leadership style. Based on Amber’s contributions and dedication to the field of OT, to OTAC, and to NBCOT, I am honored to recognize her as the 2021 Agatha Jackson COTA Award of Excellence recipient | Past Recipients of the Agatha Jackson COTA Award 1986 - Lorraine Holden
Agatha Jackson COTA Award of Excellence This award is specific to certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA) and was established to honor Agatha Jackson, a vital contributor to the OT profession in Colorado. It recognizes a COTA for excellence in the areas of practice, education, and/or community service. The recipient of the prior year’s Agatha Jackson Award of Excellence traditionally speaks at OTAC’s state conference the following year. |
Marjorie Ball Award of Merit Nominee must be an OTAC member? No. This award is presented to an outstanding occupational therapist (OT/OTR) whose contributions have made a compelling and significant impact on the profession of OT in Colorado. This award is the highest honor that can be awarded by the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTAC) and has only been awarded to 40 Colorado OTs in over half a century. OT-OTA Partnership Award Nominee must be an OTAC member? No. This award recognizes an effective partnership between an occupational therapist (OT/OTR) and a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). This partnership must advance the OT profession, exemplify teamwork, and promote quality client service. | Recognition Awards The Recognition Award acknowledges an individual or organization’s dedication to and support of the profession of occupational therapy (OT) in the state of Colorado. The individual or organization does not need to be made up of medical professionals in order to be nominated for a Recognition Award. Recognition Awards are an excellent way to recognize hard work done by non-OT colleagues to advance OT from a policy, educational, marketing, or practice perspective! Past Recognition Awards have been given to: 2012 - Pueblo Community College faculty Dottie Davis Service Awards This OTAC staff-specific award was established in honor of Dottie Davis, a valuable and influential member of our occupational therapy (OT) community. The Dottie Davis Service Award acknowledges individuals who have dedicated a significant amount of effort to developing and furthering the mission of the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTAC). Nominations for this award can be made by individuals who are currently serving or have served in an official role within OTAC. Similarly, the nominee must have served in a past or present official capacity within OTAC. |