OOTA 2025 Award Winners
Each year at the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, time is set aside to honor, celebrate, and acknowledge clinicians, partners, and organizations that exemplify the values of occupational therapy across the state. Below you will find the name of the award, description of the award, award recipients, and a quick description from the nomination of that individual or organization.
To the award winners, we celebrate you and all that you have done!
To the nominators, we appreciate the time and effort to acknowledge the hard work of the nominees.
Award Name: Award of Merit
Description: The highest honor of OOTA, Inc., for a member who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, academics, or clinical achievement in the initiation, development, or perpetuation of occupational therapy in the state of Ohio.
Award Recipient: Jennifer Thompson
Nomination Description: “Jennie has been an integral part of OOTA since 2006, demonstrating unwavering dedication to both the profession and the organization…”
Award Name: Continuing Education Award
Description: To recognize members who, with their knowledge and expertise, have made a significant contribution to the continuing education and professional development of members of OOTA.
Award Recipient: Karla Reese, Jenn Soros, Colton Sayers, Danielle Nelson, Marita Hensley, Barbara Elleman
Award Name: Virginia Scardina Lectureship Award
Description: The award is given in honor of Virginia Scardina, known as “Ginny”, whose application of theory to practice was of great significance to the profession of occupational therapy. Ginny epitomized the master clinician in her use of the art of therapy. She infused enthusiasm, passion, and spirit in her interactions and facilitated growth in all of her clients, children and adults alike. Through a well-planned training program, she mentored hundreds of therapists from all over the world. To honor a member who has contributed to the development of the body of knowledge of the profession through research, education, and/or clinical practice.
Award Recipient: Jessalyn Dickerson
Nomination Description: “…Jessalyn brings her engaging teaching style to every presentation she gives, using principles of adult learning to ensure participants can reflect on and ultimately apply the content to their own practice. She embodies the spirit of the Virginia Scardinia Lectureship Award through her contributions to both clinical practice and education in sensory integration and processing.”
Award Name: Pioneer Award
Description: To recognize an individual outside of the profession as a pioneer of OT who has contributed to the establishment and/or development of a specific phase of the profession of Occupational Therapy and has demonstrated continued interest in OT and its effective promotion.
Award Recipient: Missy Anthony, Melanie Stevens
Nomination Description: “Missy Anthony has sustained a visible and active interest in occupational therapy for over a decade through her leadership role at the OTPTAT Board. While not an OTP herself, she has advocated for the profession in interdisciplinary forums, including legislative hearings, state agency meetings, and national regulatory groups. She has helped foster a better understanding of occupational therapy among lawmakers and other stakeholders by supporting OTs and OTAs in emerging practice areas, especially mental health and telehealth.”
“Melanie Stevens, MS/CCC-SLP, BCS-S, has been a transformative force in the professional development of occupational therapy (OT) practice in Ohio through her leadership in dysphagia management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical innovation. Her impact has been especially profound in integrating occupational therapy perspectives into hospital-wide and state-level initiatives that advance best practices and elevate the visibility of OT practitioners (OTPs)…”
Award Name: Jane Case-Smith Outstanding OT Student Award
Description: To acknowledge student members of OOTA who participate in activities to promote occupational therapy in their community and who contribute to the professional growth of occupational therapy by participation in leadership roles in their district, state, and/or national associations.
Award Recipient: Kristal Hamilton, Claire Horan
Nomination Description: “Kristal Hamilton is a resident of Chillicothe, Ohio. She entered Muskingum University’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program as a Certified Yoga Teacher and a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with 27 years of experience. Throughout her time at Muskingum, Kristal has demonstrated a strong commitment to furthering her education and skills, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while working full-time and completing the didactic portion of the MOT program…”
“…I have had the pleasure of witnessing Claire’s exceptional leadership, dedication to pediatric occupational therapy, and service to the community—all of which exemplify the spirit and legacy of Dr. Jane Case-Smith.
Since beginning her studies at Ohio State, Claire has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing occupational therapy through research, leadership, and community engagement…”
Award Name: Sharon K. Ashworth Outstanding OTA Student Award
Description: To acknowledge student members of OOTA who participate in activities to promote occupational therapy in their community and who contribute to the professional growth of occupational therapy by participation in leadership roles in their district, state, and/or national associations.
Award Recipient: Jessica Honican
Nomination Description: “She excels academically with a GPA of 3.7 and radiates positivity, compassion, and commitment to the field of occupational therapy. Her passion is evident in everything she does, from the classroom and fieldwork to community service…”
Award Name: Certificate of Appreciation
Description: To express the appreciation of the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association for extraordinary contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy in the state of Ohio.
Award Recipient: Lindsay Davis, Global Professional Services
Nomination Description: “Lindsay is an outstanding occupational therapist on the behavioral health team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH). She serves as the primary therapist on both the inpatient child unit and the outpatient Intensive Pain and Rehabilitation Program (IPREP), providing expert care to children facing complex mental, behavioral, and physical health concerns. Lindsay’s compassion and advocacy for pediatric mental health make her a trusted and respected clinician among patients, families, and colleagues, and an excellent candidate to receive OOTA’s Certificate of Appreciation award…”
“It is with great enthusiasm and deep appreciation that I nominate GPS for their exceptional service and unwavering commitment to advancing the mission of occupational therapy in the state of Ohio. GPS has gone above and beyond the traditional scope of association management, serving as a true partner and driving force behind the success and growth of the OOTA. GPS has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to supporting occupational therapy in Ohio through numerous contributions that have directly impacted the visibility, organization, and professionalism of our association…”
Award Name: Honorary Membership
Description: To be conferred for distinguished service in the field of occupational therapy or to a nominee who, by the virtue of professional or community status, has promoted occupational therapy to the public need.
Award Recipient: Danny Hurley
Nomination Description: “Danny Hurley has served as the legislative lobbyist for the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, consistently advocating for the profession at the state level. Through his strategic insight, tireless communication with legislators, and dedication to public service, Danny has elevated the presence of occupational therapy in Ohio’s legislative landscape. His commitment goes beyond contractual duties—he has invested time to understand OT philosophy, attends OOTA leadership meetings, and has become a trusted partner in advancing the profession’s visibility and impact. His work directly supports the public need by protecting and expanding access to occupational therapy services across populations and settings.”
Award Name: Legislator Award
Description: To honor a political figure for support and commitment to the advancement of the profession of occupational therapy in the political arena.
Award Recipient: Maureen Corcoran
Nomination Description: “As the Director Medicaid in Ohio, she has really protected and elevated OT within the Medicaid program. She championed continued coverage for home-based OT services without weekly limits for children, ensuring legislative compliance and access under federal rules. Under her leadership, Ohio Medicaid’s OhioRISE program—though focused on behavioral health—was structured with input that supports OT for youth with multi-system needs, reflecting collaboration across silos Medicaid Directors Association…”
Award Name: Model Practice Award
Award Description: To recognize members for outstanding achievement in the practice of occupational therapy in the state of Ohio.
Award Recipient: Natalie Centers, Colton Sayers
Nomination Description: “Natalie Centers’ work represents the highest standard of occupational therapy practice—forward-thinking, evidence-informed, and deeply client-centered. Her contributions reflect a rare blend of leadership, innovation, and compassion, and her impact spans clinical practice, education, and advocacy. She is a true model for our profession and richly deserving of this honor.”
“…Colton’s visionary leadership in co-developing this fellowship demonstrates exceptional innovation in occupational therapy practice, establishing new standards for inclusive care and positioning Ohio as a national leader in progressive occupational therapy education and practice.”
Award Name: Service Award
Description: To recognize individual members of OOTA who have provided services to the association and/or profession through time or task-based activities at a state level or to recognize individual members who have served in state offices.
Award Recipient: Mary Arnold, Rebecca Young, Katrina McWilliams, Jennifer Thompson
Award Name: Outstanding Fieldwork Site
Description: To recognize a fieldwork site that has contributed highly to the profession of occupational therapy, supported occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students, and that demonstrates the following criteria
Award Recipient: Colton Sayers – Daniel Drake Center, Erica Furniss – Galvin Therapy Center, Kristen Bach – Southwestern City Schools
Award Name: Excellence in Fieldwork Education
Description: This award is to recognize outstanding fieldwork educators in the state of Ohio. The following criteria are designed for recognition of current practice as well as preparing fieldwork for the future. An exemplar of an excellent fieldwork educator demonstrates
Award Recipient: Christina Andreyko, Amy Grooms, Karen Porter
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