2026 Award Recipients
Service Award
Ann Bartman
Ann has demonstrated sustained and meaningful service to OOTA through exceptional leadership as Conference Chair for 2 years in a row. She consistently ensures high-quality, impactful programming that supports practitioner growth across Ohio. Her dedication, reliability, and attention to detail have strengthened OOTA’s flagship event and elevated member engagement. In this role, Ann has directly advanced the profession through collaboration in occupational therapy practice. Her ongoing commitment to service at the state level reflects a deep investment in both the Association and the continued advancement of occupational therapy in Ohio.
Kara Brogan
Kara’s dedication to occupational therapy is evident in both her professional career and her steadfast service to OOTA. As the successful owner of Galvin Therapy Center, she has created opportunities for children and families to access high-quality, compassionate care while supporting and mentoring clinicians. She generously gives her time to OOTA, previously serving as Treasurer and now contributing by leading the Membership Committee. Kara leads with humility, reliability, and heart, always willing to serve wherever needed. Her lasting commitment has strengthened both OOTA and the occupational therapy community throughout Ohio!
Cheryl Boop
Cheryl is nominated for the Service Award for her countless hours serving on OOTA’s board, from the Pediatric Representative in Central Ohio, the Central Ohio District Chair, to the OOTA liaison to the OTPTAT Board; she has been steadfast in her devotion since 2013. She has shared her wealth of knowledge from her time as VP of the Georgia OT Association. Additionally, she is an expert in her field of practice and often attended meetings as the OOTA representative. She was a site mentor for one of OOTA’s first OTD capstone students. She continues to devote her time to the annual student conclave as a panel expert for pediatric home health.
Danielle McClelland-Shrimpton
Danielle is nominated for the Service Award for her service on OOTA’s board as the Co-Chair for the SW District for 2 years. Before serving as SW Co-Chair, she was the continuing education coordinator for the SW District and was responsible for robust educational content. She also served on strategic planning committees to help advance the OOTA strategic plan.
Danielle Griffin
Danielle is nominated for the Service Award for her past service as one of the Peds SIS chairs for several years. She also took on a leadership role in planning the OOTA Feeding Symposium in 2026. Prior to the Feeding Symposium, she hosted other continuing ed content with a feeding focus to advance the membership’s knowledge in this area. She also served on strategic planning committees to help advance the OOTA strategic plan.
Nathan Grizenko
Nathan has become an integral part of the OOTA Board over the past year. Not only has he made OOTA more visible to the general public by exponentially increasing the social media footprint of OOTA in the most eye-catching ways, but also provided members with a way to stay up to date on the latest practices in OT and opportunities available with OOTA as the fearless Editor-in-Chief of the highly successful OOTA Newsletter. Aside from bringing a voice to OTPs, he exemplifies the qualities all OTPs strive for with a welcoming and positive personality that makes the OOTA board more inviting. All of this within his first year as an OTR to boot!
Pam Turnwald
Pam has served as a board member for the Central District of OOTA for 18 years. Pam is committed to the success of the district and advocating for OT on the state level. Pam has been involved in planning several OOTA conferences from when the districts took turns planning conference. Pam has also connected our board to several amazing community practitioners who have presented for CEU events. She has been an amazing board member and has always shown enthusiasm and passion for OT on the state level.
Barbara Elleman
Throughout her career, Barbara has been grateful for opportunities to give back to the occupational therapy profession that has given so much to her. For Barbara, it is a privilege and honor to support OOTA by consistently serving as a presenter for continuing education events and annual conferences for OOTA events as well as encouraging numerous students to engage with OOTA by presenting collaborative projects and research. Serving as the practice rep for the AOTA Ethics Commission allowed her to help OOTA offer ethical guidance and continuing education requirements and bring emerging knowledge related to ethical use of AI to OOTA members and Ohio practitioners. She hopes this service and contributions have helped strengthen OOTA’s mission and the profession we all value.
Stacia Galey
Stacia is the colleague who always says “YES” when the profession needs her. She has dedicated years of her career to serving both OOTA and the OT profession in Ohio. From her years of leadership as OOTA State Board Regulations Chair, conference planning and Southwest District leadership roles to her work as Co-President of the Ohio Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Consortium, Stacia consistently steps forward whenever there has been work to do. Her service does not stop at the state level as she also serves the profession nationally through AOTA. Stacia is generous with her time, knowledge and mentorship of fieldwork educators. She is the kind of colleague every organization hopes for as she is dependable, collaborative, and always willing to serve. OOTA is stronger because of Stacia’s dedicated commitment, and she deserves this service award.
Excellence in Fieldwork Education Award
Heather Swartz nominated by Kenzie Purkey
My OTA supervisor deserves this award for her exceptional leadership, compassion, and relentless commitment to patient outcomes. Though she has only been in the field for a few years, she has made a profound impact—elevating team standards, mentoring students, and implementing evidence-based practices that improve care. Her rapid rise to a DOR role as a COTA reflects her vision, drive, and integrity. She fosters a supportive learning environment, models ethical practice, and consistently advocates for clients and staff. Her blend of clinical excellence, innovation, and empathy inspires everyone around her and advances our program’s mission every day.
Cheryl Albrechta
Cheryl is a highly motivated Fieldwork Educator. She is always looking for ways to help the student think outside the box and find answers on their own. She never makes the students feel like they are a burden with their questions. Cheryl’s approach to mentoring the students is never the same. She can adjust her approach as needs arise. Cheryl has led many workshops to help students further develop their manual and splinting skills. Cheryl goes above and beyond as a Fieldwork Educator.
Outstanding Fieldwork Site
Miami Valley Hospital nominated by Ryan Rickard
My last Level II clinical rotation was at Miami Valley Hospital (MVH), which I received a quality education floating between multiple units. This exposed me to a wide variety of medical conditions, affording me to develop critical thinking skills and clinical competence. While I did have a primary clinical instructor, the other OT practitioners at MVH always stepped in as needed and were passionate about having a student to teach. All the OT practitioners involved in my learning experience at this site were extremely supportive, provided constructive feedback for improvement, and were receptive to contemporary, evidence-based practice ideas.
Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital nominated by Ali Williams
I can always rely on Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital to provide high-quality Level I and II fieldwork placements. Kristy Guthrie and the OT team offer exceptional mentorship, individualized teaching, and a strong commitment to ethical, evidence-based, occupation-centered care. Their ongoing collaboration with The Ohio State University (OSU) Division of Occupational Therapy, proactive communication, and support for students—including those who are struggling—reflect a deep dedication to clinical education. The site is welcoming, inclusive, and highly sought after by students. Staff demonstrate strong OTPF knowledge, engage in professional development, and adapt supervision to meet diverse needs, consistently accepting placements and even supporting challenging learners.
Continuing Education Award
Alyssa DeCarlo
Alyssa is an exceptional occupational therapist who consistently demonstrates dedication to her patients, colleagues, and the OT profession. She is thorough, innovative, collaborative, and a trusted source of clinical expertise. She regularly goes above and beyond to meet patients’ needs, educate others, and share new ideas. Alyssa’s commitment to professional education was especially evident at the 2026 CMSC meeting, where she independently led a three-hour wheelchair workshop and coordinated multiple vendors so attendees could gain hands-on experience with different equipment. Despite significant logistical barriers and being outside her home community, she persisted in bringing her vision to life, with vendors traveling from as far as two hours away. Her colleagues recognize Alyssa as a fantastic educator, mentor, and advocate who continually elevates those around her. She is a tremendous asset to Cleveland Clinic and the NI/Mellen Center and a strong representative of the OT profession.
Ali Williams
Dr. Williams is an intentional leader regarding providing continued education to occupational therapy practitioners. In her role as the AFWC at The Ohio State University she has provided continued education to hundreds (if not thousands) of practitioners during her academic career. Recently she provided continued education to 8 different fieldwork sites regarding ethical decision making when it comes to passing or failing a fieldwork student, a decision that is often difficult and a moral dilemma for many practitioners. She also provided mental health continued education for clinical educators at 4 different sites, a topic that is timely during a season of burnout in the workforce. Over the last several years, she provided education to 14 sites regarding welcoming a fieldwork student. This is above and beyond what is required of a fieldwork coordinator and demonstrates her passion for not only preparing clinical educators to take a student but also ensuring the student has a great learning experience! She is incredibly deserving of this award!
Tara Brock
Tara is the professor and program chair you’d picture if you dreamt of the perfect option. The education she provides for her students is unmatched. She continuously shares her specialized knowledge in sensory integration. She is currently doing research on burn out in college students. She was a part of the team who gathered research for the creation of the EASI assessment. She is a true leader to the OT profession locally as the program chair of an OTA program and on the committees of most surrounding OT programs. She provides mentorship and guidance far exceeding what is expected of her within her roles. She extensively advocates for accessible, high-quality education for her students. Every student under Professor Brock’s guidance will become a better practitioner because of knowing her and the ability to gain a wealth of knowledge from her.
Bonnie Boenig
Bonnie has dedicated more than 40 years to advancing occupational therapy through exceptional education, mentorship, and leadership. As a certified NDT instructor, national and international presenter, published author, former OOTA Vice President, and owner of Wavecrest Pediatric Therapy, she has equipped countless practitioners with advanced clinical knowledge and evidence-based skills. Her lasting influence is reflected not only in the therapists she has educated, but in the countless lives improved through the knowledge and clinical excellence she has inspired!
Jill Tonneman
For 30 years, Jill Tonneman has made the therapists around her better clinicians. During her 20 years at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, she has led conference presentations, in-services, and journal clubs while mentoring new hires, members of the fellowship program, and staff across multiple Ohio locations. When new sites became part of NCH, Jill worked alongside their therapists to help them learn current practices and move away from passive, low impact interventions. She also coauthored peer-reviewed research on constraint-induced movement therapy for infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy. What sets Jill apart is that she not only understands new evidence and what it means for everyday practice but is also consistently willing to help other therapists confidently put it into action.
Dr. Marnie Renda nominated by Barbara Elleman
One of the things I admire most about Dr. Marnie Renda is her willingness to consistently and selflessly share her time, knowledge and encouragement with others. She does this through her role as capstone coordinator but even more so through educating occupational therapists across Ohio- planning a community capstone symposium for local occupational therapists, consistently presenting at OOTA and national conferences and through her service on the Ohio OTPTAT Board (now in her second term). She approaches every educational opportunity with generosity and enthusiasm. This year, she continued that commitment to educating others as a founding editor of the Journal of Emerging Scholars in Occupational Therapy (JESOT). This open access peer reviewed journal provides a new avenue of education for OTs in Ohio and beyond. Marnie’s passion for continuing to educate the OTs of Ohio is an asset to our profession.
Dr. Leah Dunn
Dr. Dunn has a unique ability to see potential in others and help them grow. Whether mentoring students, guiding research, presenting at conferences, publishing scholarship, or supporting faculty colleagues, Leah is always willing to invest her time and expertise to help others succeed. This year, she extended that commitment by serving as a founding editor of the Journal of Emerging Scholars in Occupational Therapy (JESOT). Through this work, she has created meaningful opportunities for students and early-career professionals to publish, build confidence as scholars, and advance evidence-informed occupational therapy in Ohio and beyond. Leah’s dedication to education, mentorship, and our profession makes her an outstanding nominee for this award.
Toni Durban nominated by Tara Brock
As an OOTA member, co-worker and colleague of Antoinette (Toni) Durban, I recommend Toni for the 2026 Outstanding Contributions to Continuing Education award. Toni demonstrates outstanding contributions to continuing education by providing continuing education through Annual Fieldwork Educators Workshops at Cincinnati State Tech and Community College. She consistently hosts 60-80 OTPs yearly for a day of continuing education with the focus of fieldwork education. She has hosted the Fieldwork Educators Workshops for the last 5 years. Additionally, she hosted and presented the Future Fieldwork Educators Workshop for new graduates raising the new generation of FWE’s. She has done professional presentations at the state level by presenting at OOTA Conference on Enhancing the Relationship Between OT and OTA and presenting at OOTA Conference on Providing Student-Centered Learning During Fieldwork. Toni has demonstrated Advancement of Professional Knowledge by contributing to the AOTA Ethics Committee, acting as the OOTA OTA Committee Chair and publishing an article for American Occupational Therapy Association. Toni demonstrates leadership in professional growth by being an OOTA Committee Member for Micro-Credential Committee and attending monthly meetings. She supports professional development by being a Panelist for OOTA student conclave. Overall, Toni demonstrates strong impact on OOTA and the profession by her consistent contribution as a committee member, volunteer, presenter, supporter and advocate for the role of an OTA in the profession of occupational therapy.
Pioneer Award
Steven Habimana nominated by John Bazyk, Rachel Rogers, Cassie Mattix and Bree Host
We are nominating Steven Habimana for the OOTA Honorary Membership Award for 2026 as he meets the eligibility requirements for Community Leadership that Elevates Occupational Therapy. Steven Habimana came to Cleveland as a refugee from Rwanda in 2023. He was resettled by the Cleveland Field Office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). On his second day in the US, he engaged in a “Feelings of Home” assessment with an occupational therapist to ensure that he felt safe navigating household management tasks (e.g. locking/unlocking door, utilizing the thermostat/appliances, etc.) and the community. He engaged in small group OT sessions with a peer from Africa focused on community mobility and IADL management (e.g. laundry). Due to Steven’s natural charisma, humanitarian spirit, and linguistic skills, he began interpreting for 1:1, family, and group-based occupational therapy sessions and was compensated by Visa gift cards from the OT supply budget. Based on the success of his support, he was referred by occupational therapy and hired as a full-time staff interpreter on payroll. In 2025, the occupational therapy team advocated for him to shift into a program assistant role for a federal grant, Support for Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR), where he provides interpretation services and serves as a cultural liaison. He has been instrumental in shaping OT programming that has been culturally responsive and client-centered. Steven works closely with the occupational therapists at USCRI Cleveland when they work with Swahili and Kinyarwanda speaking clients, although he is fluent in 9 languages. He also provides this service to occupational therapy students in a service-learning course each summer and expands their professional development through ongoing feedback and support. Through his lived experience and deep connection with his community, he understands the challenges his peers face in resettling in the US, and he is broadly accepted by them. He also serves as a member of The Comrades, a Congolese volunteer organization aimed at serving newcomers in the Cleveland area. His expertise gives the OT practitioners working with the African clients a distinct advantage in understanding and addressing their needs. Steven’s participation in the OT process is crucial to their success. To fully understand Steven’s qualifications for this award, we need to acknowledge his understanding of and appreciation for the value of occupational therapy services for his peers. On numerous occasions he has articulated to the OTs and students how attuned OT is to the refugee population in our interactions, methods, goals, and interventions. Steven uses his deep communal rapport to educate clients about the value of OT while bridging gaps such as cultural barriers, health literacy, and mental health support stigma. He consistently advocates for OT services with community agency partners and leaders while passionately describing the role and impact of services in the community. He embodies the heart of OT through engagement as an active member of the OT process in tandem with OTPs and clients.
Certificate of Appreciation
Bekah Bourgeois
Bekah recently stepped into the role as the OOTA treasurer, but her contributions to OOTA as a whole extend far beyond that role. She has also sat at the head of the Conference Program Committee and contributed to the development of content that draws more OTPs to the Annual OOTA Conference yearly. Aside from her participation in these roles that require a high amount of activity, she serves as a member on countless other committees such as the Mentorship Committee while juggling a full time job. That doesn’t stop Bekah though, who also just launched the Everyday Aging Co. Supporting families, patients, and caregivers in ensuring that aging in place for the county’s aging population can feel less daunting and become a reality for so many people that may not have been able to originally think it possible to stay in their homes as they age.
Miranda Walker
During my doctoral capstone, I combined my personal and professional experiences to advocate for system-level change in oncology after losing my father to cancer. At a Cancer Center in Toledo, Ohio, I addressed limited awareness and access to OT by implementing staff education, and EMR workflow modifications. After a four-week pilot across three oncology clinics, 36 patients were connected to therapy resources, and 22 OT referrals were made! This project has the potential to positively impact over 5,000 cancer patients annually in Ohio.
Brianna Gaietto
As an OTA, Bri has transformed her passion for inclusion into meaningful community impact by creating an inclusive ice cream trailer that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is known for looking beyond surface-level challenges, taking the time to understand each person’s whole story and addressing the root causes that influence participation and success. She intentionally removed barriers by implementing PECS-based communication boards, allowing customers of all communication abilities to independently place orders while fostering understanding and acceptance within the community. Through her leadership and unwavering advocacy, Bri exemplifies the values of occupational therapy every day!
Erika Eustaquio
Erika has been a catalyst behind making OOTA’s Hill Day a successful event the past 4 years! Each year the membership participation has grown resulting in more of OOTA’s voice and advocacy efforts heard by government officials with the ability to drive positive change for the profession. Aside from advocating herself by presenting to the Medicaid Board this year, she makes advocacy an approachable topic with her legislative updates as part of OOTA’s newsletter.
Virginia Scardina Lectureship Award
Alyssa DeCarlo
Alyssa is an OT at the Mellen Center of the Cleveland Clinic. She is innovative, thorough and an astute educator. She recently worked hard to present Wheelchair modifications and orders at the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC)in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a pioneer in that the organizers did not have any work with vendors before, and Alyssa needed to work through many barriers to make this impactful vital presentation happen on this national stage. I have presented with her at our local Mellen Center Update, she is organized, thoughtful, thorough and collaborative in organizing and presenting our presentation. I have also presented with her at CMSC in 2025 and we invited colleagues and created a detailed helpful presentation. I have also presented with her for a National MS Society virtual wellness day and she helped her colleagues and created a wonderful presentation. She is an astute presenter and is worthy of this award.
Jane Case-Smith Outstanding OT Student Award
Alexandra Henry nominated by Barbara Elleman
Some students are remembered for their accomplishments; others are remembered for how they make people feel. Alexandra “Al” embodies both. More than just an exceptional student, she is a steadfast source of encouragement for others: the first to offer a helping hand, celebrate a success, or make someone feel they belong. As Co-President of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), she transformed her passion for JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) into meaningful action. Her OOTA conference presentation (2025) & forthcoming capstone on occupational therapy’s role supporting transgender & gender-diverse clients, and her service as a peer mentor with the Office of Student Wellbeing all reflect the same commitment: ensuring others feel seen, valued, and supported. I am confident that Al will use this compassion, humility, and quiet leadership to leave a lasting mark on our profession.
Maia Lynch nominated by Barbara Elleman
Maia is deserving of the Outstanding OT student award. She is the kind of future occupational therapist our profession needs. She has consistently and selflessly chosen opportunities to lead, serve, and advocate for others by serving as president of the Xavier Student OT association and working as a peer educator in the student well being office. Her focused research and planned capstone supporting Latina survivors of domestic violence reflects both courage and compassion. Professionally Maia has already authored a publication in a peer reviewed journal (Women’s Reproductive Health), presented her research at the 2025 Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and attended the AOTA Inspire Conference. Her accomplishments are impressive, but it is her character that leaves the greatest impression. Maia leads with humility, integrity, and genuine care for others, and I have no doubt she will strengthen the future of occupational therapy.
Sharon K. Ashworth Outstanding OTA Student Award
Anna Fox nominated by Christie Tuttle, Toni Durban & Tara Brock
Anna Fox is wholeheartedly recommended for the 2026 Sharon K. Ashworth Outstanding Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Award for her exceptional academic performance, professionalism, and deep commitment to the values of occupational therapy. She is a dependable, encouraging, and highly engaged student who serves as the Academic Student Delegate for the Cincinnati State SOTA Club, representing her cohort at national AOTA ASD meetings and consistently contributing to the success of student programming. Her leadership, maturity, and initiative are evident in every role she undertakes, making her a positive influence and role model among her peers. Anna’s dedication to service and advocacy is demonstrated through extensive community involvement, including dementia-support programming with the Giving Voice Foundation, family-centered pediatric engagement at Highland Elementary, and disability-affirming recreation with the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League. She further supports families through her work with Harts for Hope and by attending IEP meetings as a parent advocate, helping families navigate services and access essential resources. Across all settings, Anna promotes inclusion, meaningful participation, and neurodiversity-affirming practice. Her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others make her an outstanding representative of the Cincinnati State OTA Program and a truly deserving candidate for this award.
Alessia Black nominated by Christie Tuttle, Toni Durban & Tara Brock
Aleesia Black is wholeheartedly recommended for the 2026 Sharon K. Ashworth Outstanding OTA Student Award for her exceptional leadership, professionalism, mentorship, and service throughout her time in the Cincinnati State Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. As Secretary of the SOTA Club, she has been a dependable and engaged student leader who actively supports club initiatives, represents the OTA program with enthusiasm, and fosters a positive, collaborative learning environment. Her advocacy and mentorship are evident through her participation in key outreach events—including the Fall 2025 Health Fair, Spring 2026 Club Day, and Summer 2026 Scrub Camp—where she promoted the OTA profession, shared her experiences with prospective students, and strengthened community awareness of occupational therapy. Beyond campus, Aleesia has demonstrated meaningful commitment to service through her volunteer work with the Giving Voice Foundation and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, supporting individuals and families who benefit from occupational therapy services. She has also played an essential role in SOTA fundraising efforts, contributing to the success of the Fall 2025 Holiday Market and providing critical support during the Fieldwork Educator Workshop. Academically, she exceeds GPA requirements and consistently demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and initiative—qualities that make her a positive influence among her peers and a strong representative of the program. Aleesia embodies the values of future occupational therapy practitioners, and her leadership, advocacy, and dedication make her a truly deserving recipient of the Sharon K. Ashworth Outstanding OTA Student Award.
OT Entry-Level Achievement Award
Nathan Grizenko nominated by Bekah Bourgeois
Nathan Grizenko exemplifies the promise of an emerging occupational therapy leader through his clinical excellence, commitment to professional growth, and active engagement with OOTA. As a pediatric occupational therapist, he provides compassionate, evidence-based care while continually seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Nathan has already made meaningful contributions to the profession through his service on the OOTA Board, where he works to amplify member voices, strengthen engagement, and increase the association’s visibility. His passion for advocacy, collaboration, and supporting fellow practitioners reflects exceptional leadership potential and a bright future for occupational therapy in Ohio.
Model Practice Award
Erika Kemp (AquOTic) (peds) nominated by Ann Bartman
Dr. Kemp’s occupational therapy AquOTic program is an extraordinary example model practice – that it – she translates evidence into practice. AquOTic focuses on teaching autistic children basic life-saving swim skills to help prevent the occurrence of drowning and increase independence around water. Dr. Kemp creates a holistic, individualized intervention for each child using a variety of techniques to ensure that each child is progressing and understands the importance of being safe in a pool. This unique program uses sensory, behavioral, and motor learning approaches to help improve water safety and basic swim skills. These evidence-based techniques include grading, sensory-based play, task-specific training, visual aids, Halliwick Approach, sensory accommodations, and more. Dr. Kemkp and her colleagues recently received a $2.9 million grant from the Department of Defense’s Autism Research Program. The funding will further support their AquOTic lab, pioneering a scalable, evidence-based water safety program tailored for children on the autism spectrum.
Danielle Nelson nominated by S. Elaine Heisman
Danielle has established a progressive and innovative clinical practice in Toledo, Ohio. She owns, manages, and treats as an OT at “Brainbright”, a CNSI based out patient clinic. Danielle received extensive training in this Central Nervous System Integration approach. She has taught numerous CEUs about this science-based brainstem to frontal lobe approach. Danielle insists on the highest quality experience for both her clients and clinicians. This is a difficult task in a growing clinic! She has also volunteered for NWO OOTA chairperson.
Krystin Turner nominated by Barbara Elleman
Krystin has a remarkable passion for helping children and families overcome feeding and eating challenges, and she has dedicated over 2 decades of her career to advancing this specialized area of practice. As a Level III occupational therapist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and one of the few AOTA Board-Certified Specialists in Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing, she blends exceptional clinical expertise with genuine compassion. She is the colleague others seek out for guidance, willingly mentoring therapists at every level and sharing her knowledge through publications, national presentations, podcasts, and professional education. Krystin leads the feeding training and development initiatives in a large cutting edge nationally recognized OT department and provides state of the art and innovative multidisciplinary feeding assessment and intervention to children with complex feeding challenges through an interdisciplinary feeding team. Krystin’s leadership in this area has elevated pediatric feeding practice both in the state of OH and nationally while making a lasting difference in the lives of children, families, and the therapists fortunate enough to learn from her.
Pam Dixon nominated by Karen Green
Pamela Dixon, MOT OTR/L, is the perfect candidate for the Model Practice Award. She is the Rehabilitation Manager at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus with a team of more than 40 OTs. She has transformed the practice of Acute Care Occupational Therapy at Cleveland Clinic. Not just at Main Campus but across the system’s 16 hospitals in Cleveland and Florida. She has provided education, guidance and mentorship to countless Occupational Therapists in practicing at the top of their licenses. She is a true advocate of incorporating assessment and treatment for cognitive deficits and care for hospitalized patients with delirium. She also leads a team of OTs who have developed an innovative assessment and outcome tool for cognition! Her efforts have led to better care of patients and improved outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Bridget Farrell nominated by Colton Sayers
Bridget, the nation’s first Occupational Therapy LGBTQ+ Health Fellow, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation through a fellowship marked by significant clinical impact, including a 560% increase in OT referrals from LGBTQ+ primary care providers and statistically significant COPM improvements for 87% of her patients. She has advanced the profession through national and regional presentations, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, and developed a pioneering body-image group program addressing critical needs within the LGBTQ+ community. Her work reflects compassion, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to equitable care, establishing a strong foundation for future practitioners and positioning her as an outstanding leader in this emerging practice area.
Award of Merit
Lisa Loveless nominated by Erika Dicken and Ann Bartman
Lisa Loveless, OTR/L, is an exceptional occupational therapist, educator, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized pelvic health specialist whose career reflects sustained leadership, innovation, and mentorship across multiple practice settings. A pioneer in advancing OT’s role in both male and female pelvic health, she has set the standard for trauma-informed, consent-based care while developing nationally respected clinical education programs through Loveless Clinical Learning, an AOTA Approved Provider. Her impact spans hospital-based rehabilitation, home health, administrative leadership, program development, and fieldwork education, including expanding NICU OT services, creating multidisciplinary continuing education programs, and developing a low-vision screening initiative for home-based patients. As the founder of Next Level Therapy, she established an innovative, occupation-centered model integrating pelvic health rehabilitation, visceral mobility, manual therapy, breathing mechanics, dry needling, and movement science. A dedicated mentor and advocate, Lisa has inspired emerging clinicians—including the nominator, whom she encouraged to open a private practice—and continues to support the profession through fundraising, volunteer teaching at OSU, and national presentations. Her compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing occupational therapy make her profoundly deserving of the OOTA Merit Award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Beth Ann Hatkevich nominated by Marianne Hassen & Nicole Stotz
Beth Ann Hatkevich has devoted 44 years to the profession as an OTA, OTR, clinician, educator, and leader, advancing occupational therapy through her commitment to excellence and innovation. After beginning her career as an OTA and later earning her Ph.D., she served as Program Chair at Owens Community College, educating OTA students and elevating the vital role of assistants in OT practice. At the University of Toledo, she became a transformative faculty member, strengthening the OT and Capstone programs, expanding non-traditional practice settings, and developing impactful community initiatives such as a Kick Boxing Program for individuals with Parkinson’s and neuro challenges, programming at Bittersweet Farms, and the Toledo Transition (T2) Program supporting college participation for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Her influence extends statewide and nationally through years of service on ACOTE, leadership within OOTA—including chairing multiple conferences—and extensive volunteer work with AOTA, OOTA, and SOTA. She has mentored generations of OTA and OT students, guided capstone coordinators across Ohio, and contributed scholarship that broadened the profession’s knowledge base. Known for her positivity, compassion, and infectious enthusiasm, Beth Ann embodies the spirit of occupational therapy. As she retires this year, her legacy of advocacy, education, and service stands unmatched, making her profoundly deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Passion Award
Cheryl Boop
