ArizOTA Members,

This is the time of year ArizOTA offers you the opportunity to nominate your colleagues, students, outstanding citizens, and organizations to be honored for their contributions to the field of occupational therapy. This nomination also includes service to our clients and/or state organization. Who has impacted your career in occupational therapy in the state of Arizona? Who has helped to promote occupational therapy through their work, volunteerism and/or projects? Please take some time to consider the hard-working, enthusiastic individuals who deserve to be recognized for their work. 

The awards will be presented during the 2023 Fall Conference, scheduled for October 20-21, 2023.         

Your nomination(s) will be accepted via electronic submission. Read the listing of the awards, definitions and qualifications below!

If you would like to nominate someone for any of the award categories, please submit the nominee's first name, last name, email address, and a brief description of why you would like to nominate the person for the award. Your first name, last name, and email address will also be required to complete your submission(s).

The deadline for receiving your electronic nomination(s) is September 22, 2023. 

          Questions? Contact Pamela Schmidt at 3YearBoardMember@arizota.org   

OUTSTANDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST OF THE YEAR AWARD 

Purpose: To recognize a member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association for outstanding achievement or service during 2022-2023.
Eligibility: The Candidate shall be an occupational therapist who is a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following:

• Outstanding participation in activities of ArizOTA 
• Enhancing the practice of occupational therapy 
• Outstanding contribution to public awareness of occupational therapy and client advocacy 

OUTSTANDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR AWARD 

Purpose: To recognize a member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association for exemplary service during 2022-2023.
  
Eligibility: The Candidate shall be an occupational therapy assistant who is a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• Outstanding participation in activities of ArizOTA 
• Enhancing the practice of occupational therapy 
• Outstanding contribution to public awareness of occupational therapy and client advocacy 

LORNA JEAN KING DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 

Purpose: To recognize a member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association who has made a significant contribution to the profession through expertise and knowledge to further the field of occupational therapy. 

Eligibility: The Candidate shall be an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who is a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• Contribution of knowledge and expertise to further ArizOTA activities 
  
• Sharing of knowledge and expertise to further the professional development of
• fellow practitioners 
  
• Use of knowledge and expertise for the benefit of OT consumers 
  
• Use of knowledge and expertise to demonstrate community leadership and client advocacy 

DOROTHY MCCUTCHEON LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD 

Purpose: To recognize a member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association that over the years has made a significant contribution through service to the profession and the state organization.  

Eligibility: The Candidate must have at least 30 years of experience as an occupational therapy practitioner, be a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association, served as an officer of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association, and has made significant contributions to the occupational therapy profession. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• Excellences in occupational therapy practice, education and/or research 
• Outstanding leadership to members of ArizOTA 
• Significant influence on enhancing the development of ArizOTA 
• Outstanding leadership in developing public awareness of occupational therapy and client 

DENNIS KRENEK VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD(S) 

Purpose: To recognize individuals who have volunteered significant time to the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association during 2022-2023. 

Eligibility: Candidates shall be an occupational therapy practitioner and current member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• Board member service 
• Committee chair service 
• Committee member service

FIELDWORK EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD(S)

Purpose: To recognize an OT or OTA that has been nominated by their peers for their exemplary work as a fieldwork educator during 2022-2023.

Eligibility: Candidates shall be an occupational therapy practitioner or occupational therapy assistant who is a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association.

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• **Exemplary Mentorship and Guidance:** An exceptional candidate for this award demonstrates a strong commitment to mentoring and guiding occupational therapy students during their fieldwork experiences. They create a supportive and nurturing learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, seeking guidance, and exploring their clinical skills. This educator goes above and beyond to provide constructive feedback that helps students grow and improve their abilities. Their mentorship extends beyond the clinical setting, as they actively engage with students to set goals, discuss career aspirations, and provide resources for continued professional development.

• **Innovative Teaching Strategies:** An outstanding fieldwork educator is not only knowledgeable in traditional occupational therapy practices but also employs innovative teaching strategies that enhance the learning experience for students. This could involve integrating new technologies, case studies, or real-world projects into the fieldwork curriculum. By incorporating various teaching methods, the educator keeps students engaged, encourages critical thinking, and helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

• **Advocacy and Collaboration:** A remarkable candidate for this award demonstrates a strong commitment to advocating for the occupational therapy profession and collaborating with colleagues in the field. They actively participate in professional organizations, attend conferences, and stay updated on the latest research and trends. This educator also fosters collaboration among students, colleagues, and community members to create a network that supports the growth of the occupational therapy field. Their advocacy efforts might include promoting the importance of fieldwork education, addressing industry challenges, and advocating for policies that enhance the profession's impact.

  These behaviors collectively contribute to an exceptional fieldwork educator who not only imparts clinical knowledge but also instills a passion for occupational therapy, promotes lifelong learning, and prepares students to excel in their future careers.

CAPSTONE MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD(S)

Purpose: To recognize an OT, OTA, or professional that has been nominated by their peers for their exemplary work as a capstone mentor during the past year during 2022-2023.

Eligibility: Candidates shall be an occupational therapy practitioner or occupational therapy assistant.

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• **Exemplary Mentorship and Guidance:** An exceptional candidate for this award demonstrates a strong commitment to mentoring and guiding occupational therapy students during their capstone experiences. They create a supportive and nurturing learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, seeking guidance, and exploring their leadership skills. This educator goes above and beyond to provide constructive feedback that helps students grow and improve their abilities. Their mentorship extends beyond the project design, as they actively engage with students to set goals, discuss career aspirations, and provide resources for continued professional development.

• **Innovative Teaching Strategies:** An outstanding capstone mentor is not only knowledgeable in traditional occupational therapy practices but also employs innovative teaching strategies that enhance the learning experience for students. This could involve professional networking connections, exploration of alternative professional affiliations, encouraging and facilitating project utilization beyond the capstone experiential requirements. By incorporating various teaching methods, the educator keeps students engaged, encourages critical thinking, and helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

• **Advocacy and Collaboration:** A remarkable candidate for this award demonstrates a strong commitment to advocating for the occupational therapy profession and collaborating with colleagues in the field. They actively participate in professional organizations, attend conferences, and stay updated on the latest research and trends. This educator also fosters collaboration among students, colleagues, and community members to create a network that supports the growth of the occupational therapy field. Their advocacy efforts might include promoting the importance of capstone mentorship, addressing industry challenges, and advocating for policies that enhance the profession's impact.

  These behaviors collectively contribute to an exceptional capstone educator who not only imparts clinical knowledge but also instills a passion for occupational therapy, promotes lifelong learning, and prepares students to excel in their future careers.

OUTSTANDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD 

Purpose: To recognize an occupational therapy assistant student member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association for outstanding achievement or service during 2022-2023.
  
Eligibility: The Candidate shall be an occupational therapy assistant student who is a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association and is also in good standing in their academic program.

Contributions may be one or more of the following:

• Outstanding participation in activities of ArizOTA
• Enhancing the practice of occupational therapy
• Outstanding contribution to public awareness of occupational therapy and client advocacy

OUTSTANDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD 

Purpose: To recognize an occupational therapy student member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association for outstanding achievement or service during 2022-2023.
  
Eligibility: The Candidate shall be either an occupational therapy student who is a member in good standing of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association and is also in good standing in their academic program. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• Outstanding participation in activities of ArizOTA
• Enhancing the practice of occupational therapy
• Outstanding contribution to public awareness of occupational therapy and client advocacy

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION 

Purpose: To recognize individuals or organizations whose activities have significantly benefited occupational therapy clients or the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association.  

Eligibility: Candidates shall be individuals or organizations in the state of Arizona who are not occupational therapy practitioners. 

Contributions may be one or more of the following: 

• Outstanding leadership for members of ArizOTA or occupational therapy clients 
• Outstanding leadership in developing public awareness of occupational therapy and client advocacy 
• Increase the availability of and/or provide services to the occupational therapy client in achieving or maintaining his/her maximum level of independence 

On behalf of ArizOTA, thank you for your continued support. Please provide your name and contact information for our nomination records.