OOTA Past 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

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

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

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

OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS ( - 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)

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

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

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

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

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

Outstanding Fieldwork Site

2022

2024 The Ohio State University Outpatient, Anna Tipton   

Excellence in Fieldwork Education

2022

2023 Marita Hensley COTA/L and Theresa Borrieci BA, COTA/L
2024 Jessica Kennedy and Sean Smith