Previous OOTA Award Recipients

AWARD OF MERIT

1976 Martha Cameron and Virginia Scardina
1977 Marjorie Ritchie
1978 Judy Weaver
1979 Mary Jo Ellis and Karen Feltham
1980 Rosalyn Santelli
1981 H. Kay Grant
1982 Barbara Sarbaugh and Caroline Brayley
1983 Sally Oberbeck
1984 Brenda George and Marilee Wilde
1985 Rachael Stevenson
1986 Margaret Adamson
1987 Eleanor Frey
1988 Jean Thomas
1989 Liz Stephens
1990 Barrie Galvin
1991 Jacque Ryan
1992 Joan Carlson-Miller
1994 Debra Anderson
1995 Cynthia Goodwin
1997 David L Nelson
1998 Missi Zahoransky
2000 Jacquelyn Chamberlin
2001 Krista Fylak
2002 Beth Ann Kneisley
2003 Brenda George Brodbeck and Nancy Calafato
2004 Mary M. Arnold
2005 Julie Zalar
2006 Joseph Gilmer and Rebecca Robinson-Brown
2007 Monica Robinson
2008 Glenn Goodman
2009 Marc Schaffer
2011 Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L
2012 Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2013 John B. Bazyk, MSOT, OTR/L and Jennie Thompson, MOT, OTR/L
2014 Deborah Whitcomb, PhD, MBA, OTR/L
2015 Carol Scheerer, EdD, OTR/L
2016 Harriet Bynum, MS, OTR/L and Brenda M. George, MS, OTR/L
2017 Jean Halpin, MHS, OTR/L and Marc Schaffer, OTR/L
2018 Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2021 Cheryl Boop, MS, OTR/L and Joanne Estes, PhD, OTR/L
2022 Karla D. Reese, DHSc, OTR/L
2023 Becky Finni, DHS, OTR/L, RAC-CT, FAOTA
2024 John Bazyk, MS, OTR/L
2025 Jennifer Thompson

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PASSION AWARD

2005 Georgette Ireland
2006 Brenda George
2007 Joseph Gilmer
2008 Monica Robinson
2009 Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, OTPP, FAOTA
2010 Marc Schaffer, OTR/L
2011 Joe Wells OTD, OTR/L
2013 Nancy Calafato, COTA/L
2014 Tina Young MOT, OTR/L
2015 Jan Seabaugh
2016 Brenda George
2017 Traci McGuire, OTR/L
2018 Mary Arnold OTR/L, FAOTA
2019 Sarah Heldmann
2021 Georgette Ireland
2022 Sarah Koehler
2023 Jacquelyn Chamberlin, MA, OTR/L
2024 Becky Finni, DHS, OTR/L, RAC-CT, FAOTA
2025 Karla Reese

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PIONEER AWARD

1976 Bruce Cameron
1977 Carol Minnich and Richard Burke, MD
1978 Christine Herrerra, MD
1979 Romola Hopkins
1982 Telephone Pioneers of America and Akron District
1984 Dr. John Saylor
1986 Dr. Harold C. Rothermel, MD
1986 Donna L. Burke
1987 Dr. Geraldine Kaminski
1987 Thomas Kober, MD
1988 Darryl K. Dever
1990 John, Larry & Robbie Miller
1992 Tom Oberberg OD
1994 Bruce Long MS
1996 Bob Spencer, Columbus Medical
1997 Brent Bamberger DO
1998 Wellness Reproductions
1999 Bruce Kramer, Sycamore Community Schools
2001 Southpaw Enterprises, Dayton, OH
2002 Two Brothers
2003 Connie Lukas, Criterion Medical
2004 Jason Seabaugh
2005 Margaret Burley, OCECD
2006 Dr. Neil Heighberger, Xavier University
2007 Paul Lilley, Associate Director of the Hancock County ADAMHS Board
2008 Anne Rings
2009 Dr. Margaret Teaford, Ohio State University
2010 Barbara Kopp Miller, PhD.
2011 Wood County Board of DD
2012 Dr. Carolyn Sommerich
2015 Lynn Simonetti; Francine Palermo; Lt. Ryan Kidwell; Dr. Matthew Husa
2016 Melanie Stretchbery; Dr. Carmen DiGiovine
2018 Olivia Schmidt
2019 Danielle Gulden and Joseph Teeters aka Double Baggin’ It
Dr. DeAnna Frye
2022 Darren Hamm (USCRI)
2023 Ryan Wichman, President of Wood County Plays, WTOL-TV Meteorologist
2025 Missy Anthony, Melanie Stevens, MS/CCC-SLP, BCS-S

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VIRGINIA SCARDINA LECTURESHIP AWARD

2002 Jane Case-Smith
2003 Carol Scheerer
2004 Joan Dostal
2006 Susan Bazyk
2007 Julie Jepsen Thomas
2008 Joyce Peet
2009 Dr. Amy Darragh, Ohio State University
2010 Martin S. Rice, Ph.D, OTR/L
2012 Dr. Alison Lane
2013 Deborah Whitcomb, MBA, MS, OTR/L
2016 Marcia Cox, MHS, OTR/L, SCFES
2018 Robin Chilton, MBA, OTR/L
2022 Lisa Juckett, PhD, OTR/L
2023 Kristen Pataki, OTD, OTR/L
2024 Rakhi Srivastava
2025 Jessalyn Dickerson

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OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS (2001-2016)

2001 Kate Young, Allison Carter (OT); Heather Meredith (OTA)
2003 Leslie Morrison (OT)
2005 Doreen Miller (OT); Jean Lundquist (OTA)
2006 Heather Meredith (OT); Martha Gostely (OTA)
2007 Sarah Collura (OT)
2008 Kacia Suever (OT); Lori Tetrault-Boeh (OTA)
2009 Laura Kovach (OT); Michelle Cockrell (OTA)
2010 Elise Dew (OT)
2011 Stephen Page (OT)
2012 Carolyn Block, (OTA)
2013 Danielle McClelland (OTA)
2014 Bridgette Kreuz (OT)
2014 Rachel Bonar (OTA)
2016 Vanessa Carmody (OT); Sharol Hill (OTA)

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JANE CASE SMITH OUTSTANDING OT STUDENT AWARD

2018 Rachel Rogers
2021 Amanda Holland; Gargie Pathak; Angela Provenzano; Hannah Wright
2022 Ally Fedor and Nathan Grizenko
2023 Carolyn Springer and Helen Saul
2024 Savanna Yates and Bridget Strotman
2025 Kristal Hamilton, Claire Horan

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SHARON KAY ASHWORTH OUTSTANDING OTA STUDENT AWARD

2017 Amanda Holland
2019 Katie Giglia and Lauren Whitten
2021 Emily Reinmann
2022 Rachel Class and Alexa Peterman
2023 Tyler LaGuardia and Millie Perks
2024 Victoria Prater and Stacy Isler
2025 Jessica Honican

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CONTINUING EDUCATION AWARD

1982 Caroline Brayley, Virginia Scardina, Sharon Flinn Wagner
1983 Donna J. Reist
1984 Jacquelyn Bell Ryan, Brenda George
1987 Virginia Scardina
1989 Susan Bazyk, Dan Lipka
1990 Carol Finley
1991 Joan Dostal, Glenn Goodman
1992 Sally Oberbeck
1993 Margaret Adamson, SherryAnne DiFrancisco
1994 Jacquelyn Chamberlin, Bette Bonder
1996 Wendy Drake
1997 Charlotte Bhasin
1998 Jane Case-Smith
2001 Carol Scheerer
2002 Cyndi Goodwin
2003 Mary Jo McGuire and Michelle Tomasheski
2005 Mary M. Arnold
2006 Ralph Dehner and Julie Jepsen Thomas
2007 Monica Robinson
2010 Ann Marie Bryden
2012 Amy Spence, MEd, OTR/L, Carol Nolan MEd, OTR/L, C-SIPT
2013 Ralph Dehner, BS, COTA/L, Tina Young, MSOT, DRS, OTR/L, Cheryl Paeth, OTR/L, OTD, CLT; Marianne Hassen MA, OTR/L; Lynne Chapman, MS, OTR/L, CS, CDC
2015 Melinda Rybski, PhD, OTR/L; Cyndy Goodwin, MS, OTD, OTR/L
2016 Brenda M. George, MS, OTR/L; Traci McGuire, OTR/L; Julie Zalar, OTR/L; Joanie Smith, OTR/L
2017 Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, OTPP, FAOTA and Christine Griffin, OTR/L, DCAR
2021 Cleveland State University Chapter of the Coalition of OT Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) Represented by COTAD Officers: Deborah Oberc, Hannah Wright,
Jemima Ukwela, and Samantha Sanker
2024 Jennifer Thompson, MOT, OTR/L
2025 Karla Reese, Jenn Soros, Colton Sayers, Danielle Nelson, Marita Hensley, Barbara Elleman

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HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

1978 Katherine Sullivan
1979 Elizabeth F. Crumrine
1984 Lenor Kline, Rachael Stevenson
1988 Eleanor Frey
1989 Virginia Scardina, Jean Thomas
1997 Marjorie Ritchey
1998 Martha Cameron
2006 Elaine F. Mullin
2007 Nancy Vesper Snyder
2009 Marilyn Page
2018 Margaret Burley and Christie Stouffer
2022 Stephanie Lambers
2023 Madison Sternberg and Brenna McLaughlin
2025 Danny Hurley

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MODEL PRACTICE AWARDS

1996   Physical Disabilities: Driver’s Rehabilitation Program, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, directed by Steven J. Mitchell.

         Administration: Shelly Banet, Director of OT, Flower Hospital, Sylvania, OH

1997   Administration: Cincinnati State Technical College 

         Technology: Miami Valley Hospital Driving Program

         Physical Disabilities: Hand and Upper Extremity Center at Grandview and Southview Hospitals, Dayton, OH

         Mental Health: Giovanna Knox, OTR/L

1998   Mental Health: Dee Keller, OTR/L

         Education: University of Findlay 

1999   Mental Health: Pauline Warfield Lewis Center, Cincinnati

2002   Mental Health and Pediatrics: Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland

2003   Education: Lisa Link Melville, OTR/L

2004   Pediatrics: Marilee Wilde 

2007   Older Adults: Sheila Lienhart OTR/L

         Rehabilitation: Theresa Berner, OTR/L

2008   Rehabilitation: Valerie Hermann, MS, OTR/L

         Research: UC Neuromotor Recovery and Rehabilitation Laboratory Team (Stephen Page, Ph.D.; Valerie Hill, MS, OTR/L; Peter Levine, SRA, BA, PTA, AAS; Leah Dunn, MS, OTR/L; Pamela Clinkenbeard, MS, OTR/L; Kari Dunning, PhD, PT; Mary      Ryan, BSN; Lynn Sprafka, BSN2

         Mental Health: Mary Beth Lavey, COTA/L

2009  Gerontology: Mary Jo McGuire, OTR/L

        OT/OTA Collaboration: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L and Barbara Seguine, BIS, COTA/L

2010  Mental Health: Bonny King, MS, OTR/L

          Older Adults: Suzanne Gunias, OTR/L, CAPS

          Rehabilitation: Laura Madrazo, OTR/L

2011  Administration: Deb Butler, OTR/L

          Rehabilitation: Christine Griffin, OTR/L, MS, BCPR

          Pediatrics: Mollie Verdier, COTA/L

2012  Education: Zane State OTA Program; Dr. Mary Arnold, OTR/L, FAOTA; Kim Lawler, MS, OTR/L; Jan Winland, OTR/L

           Mental Health: Regina Grywalski, MEd, OTR/L

2013  Rehabilitation: Lynsay Whelan, OTR/L; Nathan Wagner, LPO, CPO, OTR/L

          Education: Sharon Flinn, PhD, OTR/L, CHT; Margaret Teaford, PhD

          Pediatrics: Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute

          Older Adults: Jean Makesh, MBA, OTR/L

2014  Education: University of Findlay Faculty: Thomas Dillon, EdD, OTR/L; Mary Beth Dillon, OTD, OTR/L; Miranda Tippie, MOT, OTR/L; Rosalie King, DHS, OTR/L

          Rehabilitation: Dotti Thompson, MOT, OTR/L, CLT

          Mental Health: Sarah Speicher, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS

2015  Mental Health: Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L; Louise Demirjian, OTR/L; Karen Thompson-Repas, OTR/L; Lezlie Fahl Kinder,  OTR/L; Robin Kirschenbaum, PhD, OTR/L; Fran Horvath, OTR/L; Jordyn Joyce, OTR/L; Rebecca Mohler, OTR/L; Teri LaGuardia, OTR/L; Carol Conway, OTR/L; Laura Doxsey, OTR/L; Lisa O’Halloran, OTR/L; David Weiss, OTR/L; Paula Michaud, OTR/L; Eileen Dixon, OTR/L

2018   Mary Beth Lavey, COTA/L

2019   Rehabilitation:Kristy Pegg, OTR/L, CHT 

  Education: Owens Community College OTA Program Faculty: Barbara Seguine, MAED, COTA/L; Dr. Cheryl Paeth, OTD, OTR/L, CLT; Sarah Heldmann, BS, COTA/L; Connie Burcin, BA, COTA/L; Katherine Kiesel, COTA/L; Jodie Steiner, COTA/L

2021

• Lisa Juckett
• Jennifer Negrey
• Rakhi Srivastava
• Leah Dunn, Becky Finni, Vicky McQuiddy, Emma
• Sabransky and Christie Tuttle

2022  Mental Health: Karen Keptner, PhD, OTR/L

  Pediatrics: Erika Kemp, OTD. OTR/L, BCP

2023 

• Muskingum University MOT Program Founding Faculty (Mary Arnold, Kim Lawler, Becky Finni)
• Carly Dauch, OTD, OTR/L
• Kelle DeBoth Foust, PhD, OTR/L

2024

• United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants – Cleveland
  • Rachel Rogers
  • Cassandra Mattix
• Cleveland State University OTD Faculty
  • Robin Chilton
  • Gina Kubec 
  • Kristen Pataki 
  • Kelle DeBoth Foust 
  • Jenn Soros
  • Karla Reese 
  • Barbara Milliken 
  • Beth Ekelman 
  • Sue Wayne
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Assistive Technology Center Leadership Team
  • Megan McKim 
  • Kristen Martin
• We Rock The Spectrum
  • Alexandra Schriefer

 2025

Natalie Centers, Colton Sayers

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Outstanding Fieldwork Site

2022
2024 The Ohio State University Outpatient, Anna Tipton
2025 Daniel Drake Center, Colton Sayers
Galvin Therapy Center, Erica Furniss
Southwestern City Schools, Kristen Bach

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Excellence in Fieldwork Education

2022
2023 Marita Hensley COTA/L and Theresa Borrieci BA, COTA/L
2024 Jessica Kennedy and Sean Smith
2025 Christina Andreyko, Amy Grooms, Karen Porter

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Legislator Award

2022
2025 Maureen Corcoran, Director of Medicaid in Ohio

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Certificate of Appreciation

2022
2025 Lindsay Davis, Global Professional Services