33 DESCRIPTION OF AWARDS Each year, AOTA and AOTF recognize and honor colleagues who have made significant contributions to the profession of occupational therapy through an annual nominations process. Each organization’s respective committee is responsible for reviewing nominations and making final selections for each reward. This tradition is a source of pride within the profession. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to increase public awareness and focus attention on the contributions of individuals and of the profession as a whole. The following is a list of the awards and recognition bestowed by AOTA and AOTF. Awards and Recognitions Offered by the American Occupational Therapy Association AOTA Award of Merit (Est. 1950) is the highest Association honor recogniz- ing an occupational therapist (OT) who has demonstrated extensive leadership through sustained and significant contributions to the profession. Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award (Est. 1954) is an honor established as a memorial to Eleanor Clarke Slagle, one of the outstanding pioneers in the profession of occupational therapy. The purpose is to honor a member of AOTA who has contributed to development of the profession’s body of knowledge. AOTA Roster of Fellows (Est. 1973) recognizes occupational therapist members of AOTA who, through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/or guidance have made a significant contribution over time to the profession with a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the Association. Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Occupational Therapy (Est. 1973) expresses the appreciation of the Association for extraordinary contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy. OTA Award of Excellence (Est. 1976) is the highest Association honor recognizing an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) who has demonstrated extensive leadership through sustained and significant contributions to the profession. AOTA Roster of Honor (Est. 1979) recognizes occupational therapist assistant members of AOTA who, through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/or guidance have made a significant contribution over time to the profession with a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the Association. Cordelia Myers AJOT Best Article Award (Est. 1979) recognizes a high-impact study that has particular relevance to a priority in occupational therapy or an established knowledge gap and is timely, highly relevant, and addresses an urgent need for information in the field. Lindy Boggs Award (Est. 1982) recognizes the significant contributions by an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) in promoting occupational therapy in the political arena by increasing recognition of occupational therapy in federal or state legislation, regulation, and/or policy or by increasing appreciation and understanding of occupational therapy by elected or appointed officials. AOTA Service Commendation (Est. 1983) recognizes individual members of AOTA who have provided service to the Association and/or profession through time or task–limited activities. continued

34 Health Advocate Award (Est. 1983) expresses the appreciation of AOTA for extraordinary contributions of national significance that led to the advancement of health promotion and/or health care. Retired Educators Award (Est. 1983) acknowledges exceptional leadership and commitment to the advancement of occupational therapy education. Terry Brittell OTA/OT Partnership Award (Est. 1991) recognizes an occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist who, through their collaborative efforts to promote the profession of occupational therapy, exemplify the professional partnership. Recognition of Achievement Award (Est. 1996) recognizes occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who have made notable contri- butions to the profession and its consumers in a focused area of occupational therapy practice. Jeannette Bair Writer’s Award (Est. 2001) recognizes the author(s) of a feature article in OT Practice that inspires occupational therapy practitioners to use management and leadership skills to improve access to services and promote the profession. SIS Quarterly Excellence in Writing Award (Est. 2010) recognizes the contributor(s) to the SIS Quarterly Practice Connections by reward- ing excellence in writing that also demonstrates the use of research and/or best practice to advance the profession of occupational therapy. Gary Kielhofner Emerging Leader Award (Est. 2011) recognizes an occupational therapy practitioner (clinician, educator, or researcher) who has demonstrated emerging leadership and/or extraordinary service early in his or her occupational therapy career. Outstanding Mentor Award (Est. 2011) recognizes an occupational therapy practitioners (clinician, educator, or researcher) who has demonstrated outstand- ing mentoring of a student, colleague, or employee in a sustained partnership in practice, academic, or research contexts, wherein mutual respect, guidance, and knowledge are shared. Emerging & Innovative Practice Award (Est. 2015) recognizes occu- pational therapy practitioners (clinicians, educators, or researchers) who have developed innovative and/or non-traditional occupational therapy practices for underserved populations or utilized the expertise of occupational therapy in new/ visionary ways to achieve significant client outcomes and to keep the profession relevant and responsive to changes occurring in health care. Outstanding Student Advocate Award (Est. 2015) recognizes one occu- pational therapy or occupational therapy assistant student or student group who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advocacy for the profession and raised awareness of occupational therapy in new and innovative ways. Distinguished Fieldwork Educator Award (Est. 2015) recognizes an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has demonstrated excellence in clinical education as a fieldwork educator in Level I or Level II fieldwork experiences for occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant students. International Service Award (Est. 2015) recognizes occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who demonstrate a sustained and outstanding commitment to international service promote and advance occupational therapy abroad in underserved countries to promote a globally con- nected community and provide incentive to extend international relationships and contributions to address global health issues.