Barbara E. Grant Award of Merit

The Barbara E. Grant Award of Merit is the highest Association honor for an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant in the state of Georgia.

Purpose
To honor an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has made an outstanding global contribution to the profession of occupational therapy in the following areas: service, leadership, education, and advocacy.

Minimal Requirements

• The nominee must be an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
• The nominee shall have served as a leader within the professional and health care community, actively fostering growth and development of the profession and the Association.
• The nominee must be a current member of GOTA at the time of his or her nomination.
• Preference will be given to nominees who are also members of AOTA.

 Submit a nomination for the Barbara E. Grant Award now!

Outstanding Occupational Therapy Practitioner of the Year Award

The Outstanding Occupational Therapy Practitioner of the Year Award is an award of excellence bestowed upon an occupational therapy practitioner (OTR/OTA) in the state of Georgia.

Purpose
To honor an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has made outstanding contributions to the profession in one or more of the following areas: practice, research, education and/or client advocacy.

Minimal Requirements

• The nominee must be an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in good standing.
• The nominee shall have made a significant contribution to the profession by utilizing special skills and/or knowledge in therapeutic practice, education, research, and/or administration.
• The nominee must be a current member of GOTA at the time of his or her nomination.
• Preference will be given to nominees who are also members of AOTA.

Submit a nomination for the Outstanding Occupational Therapy Practitioner of the Year Award now!

Outstanding Occupational Therapy Student of the Year Award

The Outstanding Occupational Therapy Student of the Year Award is an award of excellence bestowed upon an occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant student in the state of Georgia.

Purpose
To honor an Occupational Therapy Student or Occupational Therapy Assistant Student who demonstrates leadership capacity in the area of service to the profession and to professional/student associations.

Minimal Requirements

• The nominee must be a registered student at an OT or OTA program in the state of Georgia.
• The nominee shall have demonstrated his or her commitment and dedication to the profession of occupational therapy through participation in leadership activities, advocacy for the profession, community service and/or education.
• The nominee must be a current member of GOTA at the time of his or her nomination.
• The nominee must be a member of the student association at his or her respective school.
• Preference will be given to nominees who are also members of AOTA.

Submit a nomination for the Outstanding Occupational Therapy Student of the Year Award now!

OT Supporter Award

This award is given in appreciation for extraordinary contributions that led to the advancement of occupational therapy and/or health promotion.

Purpose
To honor and recognize an individual or an organization that is not an occupational therapy professional or provider, for their support, promotion and/or advocacy of the profession of occupational therapy.

Minimal Requirements

• Nominees shall have made a significant contribution to the advancement of occupational therapy. Their efforts may include, but are not limited to, financial contributions, political support, pioneer work, or an outstanding leadership role.
• Individual or organization must not provide direct occupational therapy services.
• Members/Organizational Members may be nominated for services or contributions that have been made clearly beyond those of normal professional duties and responsibilities.
• Non-Members may be nominated for services or contributions that have markedly benefited occupational therapy.

Submit a nomination for an OT Supporter here!

Linda Stephens Scholarship

Purpose:  The Linda Stephens Scholarship was established to provide assistance to students who are matriculating in an occupational therapy program and demonstrate a commitment to serving the profession of occupational therapy. The financial amount is variable depending upon the availability of funds, which will generally be ½ of the amount in the earmarked fund.

Background:

Linda Stephens’ clinical experience spanned 40 years as a practitioner and clinical educator with most of her experience in pediatrics. Linda earned her Occupational Therapy degree in 1965 from the University of Florida.  In addition to owning her own pediatric practice, Linda’s career highlights include tireless involvement in the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association as well as the American Occupational Therapy Association.  She was a strong advocate for OT and was instrumental in the licensing of OT’s in the State of Georgia.  She also negotiated a compromise between physical and occupational therapists in the State of Georgia regarding the credentialing of occupational therapists to use physical agent modalities. She served GOTA in many capacities including district chair person, bylaws chair person and two terms as President.  She served on various AOTA committees and served as an AOTA Regional Political Action Chairperson.  Linda also served 8 years on the GA State Board of Occupational Therapy, and ran for the GA House of Representatives. 

In each of her roles, Linda Stephens humbly assumed leadership where she willingly worked in the foreground as well as the background to do “what needed to be done” in the name of advancing the profession of OT. This scholarship is designed to support students who demonstrate commitment to the occupational therapy profession and potential to exemplify leadership and passion for the field.  The applicant selected will articulate how s/he envisions enacting a lifelong plan of service and commitment to the field of occupational therapy.

Application/ Selection Process:

• Nominations for this award can be submitted at any time during a calendar year.
• To insure that as many qualified applicants are nominated, the professional office will send this Scholarship application to all OT/OTA programs in GA 3 months prior to the annual GOTA conference each calendar year

• Students applying for the scholarship must meet the following requirements:
  • Submit a scholarship application, which includes two completed references from a GOTA member OT practitioner
  • Be a current member of GOTA
  • Submit a brief essay regarding their lifelong plan for service to the OT profession
  • Must not have been a previous recipient of the Linda Stephen’s Scholarship

• Who (how) will make final determination? 
  • Recognitions and Nominations Committee
  • Committee members will individually rank applicants according to criteria (see ranking form provided).  These individual scores will be tallied and averaged to determine the applicant to receive the Linda Stephens scholarship.

• APPLICATION DEADLINE:  September 6th, 2024

• Confidentiality of application materials:  all information submitted will be maintained on file by the committee for one (1) year.  

Submit applications to [email protected] 

Linda Stephens Scholarship Application

Congratulations to Our 2023 Award Winners

The Barbara E. Grant Award of Merit is our highest association honor. The purpose is to honor an OT or OTA who has made an outstanding global contribution to the profession of OT Service, Leadership, Education and Advocacy. This years recipient displayed extraordinary leadership and an impressive global dedication to this profession. As one of her nominators wrote "The definition of global has two different meanings. One meaning relates to the whole of something or a group of things and the second relates to the whole world or worldwide" This years recipient embodies both of the definitions of global contributions" .She cares deeply about the OT profession as seen in her 30 year commitment and involvement in GOTA! During that time, this recipient has served on executive board, numerous chair and co-chair positions and was GOTA Vice President and Presiding for 3 years. In addition to this she is always working hard behind the scenes on behalf of GOTA and profession. The list goes on and on but suffice to say, this recipient has made an incredible global impact on this profession and It is my pleasure to name Dr. Irma Alvarado as this years recipient of the Barbara E. Grant award!

It gives me great pleasure to announce our recipient of the Linda Stephens Scholarship. Much like Linda Stephens, this years recipient is a highly committed professional with a genuine desire to serve. She goes above an beyond in the name of advancing the OT profession. She was described by one of her advisors as "the total package". While juggling the demands as a full time student, she has completed countless volunteer hours and it is important to note that she was instrumental in the development and implementation of a camp for women with cancer. Additionally, she has big plans for her future as an OT. She said that she wants to become a professor and researcher so that she can help students find their passion as her professors helped her. plans to be heavily involved in both GOTA and AOTA, mentor OT students and be a leader in her profession. She also plans to obtain a specialty certification in feeding, eating and swallowing. Overall, this years recipient shows passion and dedication for the profession and it is my honor to award this years Linda Stephens Scholarship to Cassidy Clifford. (pictured left)

This years Outstanding OT Student of the year award goes to a very bright and dedicated student. She was described as a great peer and someone who always goes the extra mile. A friend to everyone, she will make a great leader with her determined yet humble style. It is with great pleasure that I announce Emily Wilcox as this years Outstanding OT Student!  (pictured right)

This years Outstanding OT has worked in the field for just 3 years but in that time has made an incredible impact! This outstanding OT was described as having an unwavering dedication. Her passion for OT and research was ignited during her teenage years as she cared for her mother who battled cancer. This personal experience fueled her determination to work in a holistic profession where she could advocate not only for her patients but also for their families, Since graduation, her profession has led her to Emory Healthcare of Atlanta where she serves at the leader of the outpatient neurological team. There she is the sole OT responsible for driver evaluations something she quite passionate about. You might even catch her presenting on this topic hear at conference. With that, it is my honor to present this years recipient of outstanding OT to Dr. Cara Harman.

This years appreciation of outstanding non-member/non-OT award goes to an exceptional Recreational Therapist. She works hard to provide challenging experiences at a day program for military service members. She was described as using her "OT lens" to be proactive with planning and anticipating potential triggers for those with various level of mild TBI when in a community setting. This years award goes to Kattie Mitchell.