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Awards and Recognitions 

Recognize an incredible practitioner for the difference they make!

Do you work alongside a colleague who consistently demonstrates client-centered and occupation-based skills and expertise?

Do you have a mentor who is always there for you? Do you partner with a Fieldwork Educator who promotes inter-professional collaboration? Do you witness the energetic, diverse, and professional connection between an OT and OTA? 

Submit nominations for the awards listed below. 

Nominations are due September 1. Recipients will be announced at the annual conference held in October. 

ENGAGE: To submit a nomination, click here!

Please contact info@otacco.org for questions. 


2022 Marjorie Ball Award of Merit Recipient

Amanda Hoffman, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, is a consummate professional who represents the profession of OT in the mold of Marjorie Ball through exemplary clinical care, advocacy, and service. Her passion for healthcare and specifically rehabilitation therapy services is contagious, and her advocacy efforts have directly benefitted practicing OTs and OT students, researchers, and above all our OT clients.

As Supervisor of Rehabilitation Therapy Services at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, she manages more than 30 OTs. Her efforts drive process improvement, quality initiatives, team culture, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical care, all while prioritizing her team's work-life balance in a challenging clinical environment.

She is one of six Board Certified Physical Rehabilitation OT practitioners in Colorado, is a published author, and is currently collaborating on updating an Acute Care OT textbook as well as other research efforts. Additionally, she has served as Executive Board Secretary as well as Public Policy chair for OTAC.


Past Recipients of the Majorie Ball Award of Merit

2022 - Amanda Hoffman

2021 - Valerie Kline

2020 - Bailey LeBoeuf Johnson

2019 - Lucy Bosio

2018 - Patty Stutz-Tanenbaum

2017 - Terri Cassidy 

2016 - Suzanne Holm

2015 - Audrey Aguilar

2014 - Karen Atler

2013 - Pat McKenna

2009 - Janice Hinds

2008 - Susan Woodmansee

2007 - Terry Hawkins

2006 - Becky Robler



2005 - Susan Zekert

2004 - Lucy Jane Miller

2003 - Dottie Davis

2002 - Pam DiPasquale-Lehnerz

2001 - Anita Bundy

2000 - Wanda Mayberry

1999 - Cynthia Cano

1998 - Lois Hickman
1997 - Anne Fisher

1996 - Rosalie Lewin

1995 - Constance Mullens

1993 - Wanda Mayberry
1992 - Patrice O'Reilly

1991 - Joanie McMullen


1990 - Barbara Strewler

1989 - Susan Johnson
1988 - Karen Spencer

1987 - Mary Hillary

1986 - Bill Lofton

1985 - Agatha Jackson

1981 - Pat Christ

1980 - Bobbie Smith

1978 - Doris Shriver

1976 - Wanda Mayberry

1975 - Ann Grady

1971 - Ellie Gilfoyle

1969 - Chloe Nelson

1968 - Alberta Harrah


2022 Agatha Jackson COTA Award of Excellence Recipient

Colette Thompson, COTA, is an incredible clinician and human, and is a vital contributor to the OT profession in Colorado.

In her over 20-year healthcare career thus far, Colette has improved thousands of lives, patients, families, and colleagues as a creative, motivated, and energetic team player. She has worked in nearly every setting (acute, subacute, inpatient rehab, and long-term care) treating people with a wide variety of diagnoses, including stroke, post-op ortho, psychiatric, cardiovascular, transplant, oncology, and trauma.

During COVID surges, Colette served on the pandemic frontlines and picked up many shifts to support colleagues and their patients in any way she could. Teammates frequently expressed sincere appreciation for her flexibility, dedication, and teamwork. She brings a smile, bright light, and positive attitude into every room and her patients love working with her. She is without a doubt deserving of being honored with the Agatha Jackson award!


Past Recipients of the Agatha Jackson COTA Award

2022 - Colette Thompson

2021 - Amber Sand

2020 - Meghan Weber

2018 - Patty Fantauzzo

2017 - Linda Wilks

2011 - Craig Dauer

2010 - Shannon Michel

2009 - Bill Tiffany



2008 - Will O’Hearn

2007 - Stephanie Rae Dionisio

2006 - Gerald Valdez

2005 - Laura Carver

2004 - Barbara Lanning

2003 - Melissa Riehl

1998 - Christine Newell

1995 - Pat Webb

1994 - Shirley Marino

1993 - Helen Wetzel

1992 - Genita Maun

1989 - Susan Johnson

1988 - Lynn Hoppe

1986 - Lorraine Holden



Marjorie Ball Award of Merit

Nominee must be an OTAC member? No

Nominations must be made by an OTAC member? Yes

Self-nomination allowed? No

Multiple winners possible? No

This award is presented to an outstanding occupational therapist (OT/OTR) whose contributions have made a compelling and significant impact on the profession of OT in Colorado. This award is the highest honor that can be awarded by the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTAC) and has only been awarded to 40 Colorado OTs in over half a century.

This Award of Merit honors Marjorie Ball, who was the head of Colorado State University's (CSU) Department of Occupational Therapy for 21 years. In addition to her work developing the CSU OT program into one of the largest of its type in the country, she had a rich legacy of academia and practice. Her career included work at Firmin Desloge Hospital and Miriam Convalescent Hospital in Missouri. She served for several years as Chief of OT at Bushnell General Hospital in Utah and at Wakeman Convalescent Hospital in Indiana. Additionally, she spent a sabbatical year lecturing and working at l'Ecole d'Ergotherapie, Hôpital des Enfants Malades in Paris, as well as at La Clinique de Recuperation Fonctionelle, Les Charmilles in Valenton, France.

The recipient of the prior year’s Marjorie Ball Award of Merit traditionally speaks at OTAC’s annual state conference the following year.


Agatha Jackson COTA Award of Excellence 
Nominations must be made by an OTAC member?  Yes
Nominee must be an OTAC member? No

Self-nomination allowed?  No
Multiple winners possible?  No

This award is specific to certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA) and was established to honor Agatha Jackson, a vital contributor to the OT profession in Colorado.  It recognizes a COTA for excellence in the areas of practice, education, and/or community service.  The recipient of the prior year’s Agatha Jackson Award of Excellence traditionally speaks at OTAC’s state conference the following year.


Dottie Davis Service Awards 
Nominations must be made by an OTAC member?  Yes (must currently serve or have served in the past on an OTAC committee/board)
Nominee must be an OTAC member? Yes (must currently serve on OTAC committee/board)

Self-nomination allowed?  No
Multiple winners possible? Yes

This OTAC staff-specific award was established in honor of Dottie Davis, a valuable and influential member of our occupational therapy (OT) community.  The Dottie Davis Service Award acknowledges individuals who have dedicated a significant amount of effort to developing and furthering the mission of the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTAC).  Nominations for this award can be made by individuals who are currently serving or have served in an official role within OTAC.  Similarly, the nominee must have served in a past or present official capacity within OTAC.

Recognition Awards 
Nominations must be made by an OTAC member?  Yes
Nominee must be an OTAC member?  No

Self-nomination allowed?  No
Multiple winners possible?  Yes

The Recognition Award acknowledges an individual or organization’s dedication to and support of the profession of occupational therapy (OT) in the state of Colorado.  The individual or organization does not need to be made up of medical professionals in order to be nominated for a Recognition Award.  Recognition Awards are an excellent way to recognize hard work done by non-OT colleagues to advance OT from a policy, educational, marketing, or practice perspective!

Past Recognition Awards have been given to:

2022Front Range Community College Disability Support Services team

2022 - Accessible Systems

2021 - Allie Fen

2021 - Carmen Aguirre

2021 - Susan Jones

2020 - State Representative Johnathan Singer

2018 - Mandy Chamberlin

2018 - Melissa Sixta

2018 - Jeni Finnigan

2018 - Dr. Barbara Hooper

2012 - Pueblo Community College faculty

OT-OTA Partnership Award

Nominee must be an OTAC member?  No

Nominations must be made by an OTAC member?  Yes
Self-nomination allowed?  No
Multiple winners possible?  No

This award recognizes an effective partnership between an occupational therapist (OT/OTR) and a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).  This partnership must advance the OT profession, exemplify teamwork, and promote quality client service.


ABOUT OTAC

OTAC is the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado. It is a non-profit organization that strives to increase the quality of care and level of professionalism to the practice of OT in Colorado.

Have a feedback or need more help?                                    Email: info@otacco.org

CONTACT

Email: info@otacco.org 



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