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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.
Kathy Schleifer, OTR/L, has been an OTR for over 40 years. She started her clinic in 2009 and since that time she has made huge contributions to many children and families in the Pueblo community. She goes above and beyond to make sure children receive the therapy they need and deserve. She began a soccer league for children with special needs and has been running it for 4-5 years. This has made a huge impact in parents and children’s lives because they are able to play an organized sport with support from volunteers and Kathy is the person who has put this all together. She is also a major contributor to education when it comes to OT. She is always willing to take in students, both OTR and COTA. She also goes above and beyond by creating many inservice’s to really educate the students about pediatric OT. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things she has done. She has dedicated her life to the OT profession and she deserves to be recognized for all that she does. |
Past Recipients of the Majorie Ball Award of Merit |
2023 - Kathy Schleifer 2022 - Amanda Hoffman 2021 - Valerie Kline 2020 - Bailey LeBoeuf Johnson 2019 - Lucy Bosio 2018 - Patty Stutz-Tanenbaum 2017 - Terri Cassidy 2016 - Suzanne Holm 2015 - Audrey Aguilar 2014 - Karen Atler 2013 - Pat McKenna 2009 - Janice Hinds 2008 - Susan Woodmansee 2007 - Terry Hawkins 2006 - Becky Robler | 2005 - Susan Zekert 2004 - Lucy Jane Miller 2003 - Dottie Davis 2002 - Pam DiPasquale-Lehnerz 2001 - Anita Bundy 2000 - Wanda Mayberry 1999 - Cynthia Cano 1998 - Lois Hickman 1996 - Rosalie Lewin 1995 - Constance Mullens 1993 - Wanda Mayberry 1991 - Joanie McMullen | 1990 - Barbara Strewler 1989 - Susan Johnson 1987 - Mary Hillary 1986 - Bill Lofton 1985 - Agatha Jackson 1981 - Pat Christ 1980 - Bobbie Smith 1978 - Doris Shriver 1976 - Wanda Mayberry 1975 - Ann Grady 1971 - Ellie Gilfoyle 1969 - Chloe Nelson 1968 - Alberta Harrah |
2023 Agatha Jackson COTA Award of Excellence Recipient |
 Kimberly Cassidy, COTA/L, As an employee at Children’s Therapy Services of Colorado, Kim remains one of the most organized members of our staff. She has gracefully maintained this organization throughout challenges including changing documentation systems, managing a hybrid of telehealth and clinic sessions, and transition of supervisors. Kim is excellent at communicating her needs as well as noticing and taking initiative to make things better for her teammates. One of the most impressive qualities Kim possesses is her commitment to the field of occupational therapy. As a COTA, she has completed extensive coursework to advance her knowledge in the areas of pediatrics, particularly in vision rehabilitation and by becoming a Certified Autism Specialist. The families she serves know her to be extremely evidence based, adjusting her treatment techniques as research advances. She is a phenomenal teammate, sharing her knowledge by collaborating both within our discipline as well with other professionals to ensure best practices and consistency across client care. Kim has also presented on her areas of specialty to our multidisciplinary team, and her presentations are frequently referenced during interventions across disciplines. Over the years, Kim has also provided services utilizing hippotherapy, a great passion of hers. She has used this unique skillset to help many children and families achieve their goals. Kim has taken on the role of clinical instructor for many level II fieldwork students throughout her time at our company. These students have ranged greatly in their skills and needs, proving Kim’s ability to think dynamically, trial myriad teaching strategies, and utilize therapeutic use of self to be the very best mentor for each student. Kim is a role model to all who know her. |
Past Recipients of the Agatha Jackson COTA Award
2023 - Kimberly Cassidy 2022 - Colette Thompson 2021 - Amber Sand 2020 - Meghan Weber 2018 - Patty Fantauzzo 2017 - Linda Wilks 2011 - Craig Dauer 2010 - Shannon Michel 2009 - Bill Tiffany | 2008 - Will O’Hearn 2007 - Stephanie Rae Dionisio 2006 - Gerald Valdez 2005 - Laura Carver 2004 - Barbara Lanning 2003 - Melissa Riehl 1998 - Christine Newell 1995 - Pat Webb | 1994 - Shirley Marino 1993 - Helen Wetzel 1992 - Genita Maun 1989 - Susan Johnson 1988 - Lynn Hoppe 1986 - Lorraine Holden |
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Marjorie Ball Award of Merit Nominee must be an OTAC member? No Nominations must be made by an OTAC member? Yes Self-nomination allowed? No Multiple winners possible? 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. |
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. 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. |
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: 2022 - Front Range Community College Disability Support Services team
2022 - Accessible Systems 2021 - Allie Fen 2021 - Carmen Aguirre 2021 - Susan Jones 2020 - State Representative Johnathan Singer 2018 - Mandy Chamberlin 2018 - Melissa Sixta 2018 - Jeni Finnigan 2018 - Dr. Barbara Hooper 2012 - Pueblo Community College faculty | OT-OTA Partnership Award Nominee must be an OTAC member? No
Nominations must be made by an OTAC member? Yes 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. |
ABOUT OTACOTAC is the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado. It is a non-profit organization that strives to increase the quality of care and level of professionalism to the practice of OT in Colorado. Have a feedback or need more help? Email: info@otacco.org |
