Faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy have a wealth of experience in teaching, research, practice, and service and are routinely recognized for their contributions to the profession at the regional, national, and international level. The department includes several faculty who have received the professions highest honor, induction to the Roster of Fellows of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA). The list below highlights faculty awards and honors over the past five years.
Rawan AlHeresh, PhD, MSOT, OTR, recipient of the American Occupational Therapy Association International Service Award at the AOTA annual conference for her contributions to serving international communities.
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP - inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Association Roster of Fellows as Innovator in Interprofessional Advocacy, Education, and Practice.
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP - inducted as Distinguished Scholar and Fellow (FNAP) into the National Academies of Practice.
Regina F. Doherty, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP recipient of an American Occupational Therapy Association 2020 Service Commendation at the AOTA Annual Conference for her contributions to the Interprofessional Education Task Force.
Emily Z. Eddy, OTD, OT, MS, OTR, recipient of an American Occupational Therapy Association 2022 Service Commendation at the AOTA Annual Conference for her contributions to the Academic Education Special Interest Section (AESIS).
Kathleen Lyons, ScD, OTR/L, - inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Academy of Research.
Rawan Alheresh, MSOT, PhD – recipient of the 2021 MGH Institute of Health Professions New Investigator Award.
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP – recipient of the Linda Savino Award for Outstanding Political Activism Excellence Award, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy.
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP – recipient of an AOTA Service Commendation for contributions to the AOTPAC Board of Directors.
Regina F. Doherty, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP – recipient of the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Interprofessional Collaboration Award.
Kimberly Erler, PhD, OTR/L – recipient of the 2020 New Investigator Award, MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Kimberly Erler, PhD, OTR/L – recipient of a 2020 recipient of an American Occupational Therapy Association 2020 Service Commendation for her contributions to the Code of Ethics.
Kimberly Erler, PhD, OTR/L – recipient of the 2020 Herbert Hall Award for Outstanding Service to the Profession of Occupational Therapy, Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy.
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP – recipient of Emerging Leader Award, Boston University.
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP – recipient of an AOTA Service Commendation for role on AOTPAC Board of Directors
2019
Regina F. Doherty, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP recipient of the 2019 MGH Institute of Health Professions Award for Excellence in Advancing Interprofessional Education and Practice.
2018
Regina F. Doherty, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP recipient of the 2018 Catherine Trombly Award for Contribution to Occupational Therapy & Research at the Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference.
Regina F. Doherty, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP received an American Occupational Therapy Association 2018 Service Commendation for her contributions to the Future of Fieldwork Education Task Force.
Kimberly Erler, PhD, OTR/L received the 2018 Alumni Emerging Leader Award from Boston University’s College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College.
Midge (Annamaria) Hobbs, OTD, OTR/L – recipient of an American Occupational Therapy Association 2018 Service Commendation for her contributions to the Emerging Leaders Program.
2017
Susan E. Fasoli, ScD, OTR/L recipient of the 2017 Catherine Trombly Award for Contribution to Occupational Therapy Education and Research at the MOTA Annual Conference, Norwood, MA.
Each year at commencement and the Occupational Therapy Department Hooding Ceremony graduating students and department faculty are honored with departmental awards. The list below highlights award recipients for their contributions to our community of learners and scholars.
Students
Award for Student Excellence
This award honors a graduating occupational therapy student who distinguishes themselves through academic and professional excellence. First awarded 2017.
2023 – Alexandria Paige Powers (EL-OTD)
2022 – Sarah Ann Hillegass
2021 – Lindsay Jean Ferrieri
2020 – Matthew Stephen Boone
2019 – Lyndsay E. Brown
2018 – Kelsey Hardiman
2017 – Cora Lontz Finley
Award for Student Innovation
This award honors a student or team of students that has demonstrated excellence in the creation of new product, program, design and/or method of applying the principles and practice of occupational therapy. First awarded in 2018.
2023 – Taylor A. Matthews (EL-OTD)
2023 – Rachel Lynn Carpenter (PP-OTD)
2022 – Whitney McWherter Cranna
2021 – Eliza S. du Pont
2020 – Erin Nicole Jantzen
2019 – Baothy Huynh
2018 – Melanie Helene Concordia
Award for Student Leadership in Service
A learning outcome of the MGH OTD Programs is that students “Demonstrate active involvement in professional development, leadership, and advocacy within health care and the profession of occupational therapy”. This award honors an individual that has distinguished themselves as a leader in service to the occupational therapy profession at the school, local, state or national level during their time as a student at the MGH IHP. This outstanding commitment to service and advocacy has served to raise awareness regarding health and healthcare, and occupational therapy’s role in that care, across a variety of settings. First awarded in 2018.
2023 – Miranda Michele Mlincek (EL-OTD)
2023 – Ann Maire Henshaw (PP-OTD)
2022 – Gregory Erik Laudani (EL-OTD)
2022 – Gabriella Paola Vasquez (PP-OTD)
2021 – John Paul Bonadonna
2020 – Alisa B. Bjorkman
2019 – Marguerite Jean Conners
2018 – Stephanie Campbell
2018 – Alesia R. Ford
Emerging Scholar Award
This award honors a student or group of students that have distinguished themselves through significant participation in scholarly work during their time as occupational therapy students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions or within one year of graduation. This commitment to scholarship is demonstrated by exceptional performance in a scholarly pursuit. This may be demonstrated by substantial intellectual contributions to the science underpinning occupational therapy, occupational therapy education, or interprofessional education and/or a demonstrated commitment to scientific inquiry. First awarded in 2018.
2023 – Hanna B. Jacobs (EL-OTD)
2022 – Marina F. Petrilli (EL-OTD)
2022 – Johanna Elise Bardo (PP-OTD)
2021 – Nicole Chelsea Lam
2020 – Virginia Simmons Sullivan
2019 – Matthew R. Crowley
2018 – Erin Louise Foley
Faculty and Fieldwork Educators
Award for Faculty Excellence
This award honors an OT faculty who is dedicated to enhancing the experience of occupational therapy students. This individual demonstrates exceptional commitment to students through teaching, advising, and/or mentoring, supporting student endeavors both inside and outside of the classroom. First awarded in 2017.
2023 – Diane L. Smith
2022 – Susan Fasoli
2021 – Rawan AlHeresh
2020 – Diane L. Smith
2019 – Emily A. Zeman
2018 – Kim Schoessow
2017 – Diane L. Smith
Award for Excellence in Fieldwork Education
This award recognizes outstanding communication and teaching skills that foster applied learning and evidence-based decision making in occupational therapy students. The individual exemplifies the qualities and skills of an outstanding fieldwork educator by demonstrating excellence in the areas of professionalism, communication/interpersonal skills, clinical teaching, and clinical practice. Level I and level II fieldwork educators are eligible for this award. First awarded in 2017.
2023 – Lynn Krisko
2022 – Kelly Redwine-DePierre
2022 – Dominic Lloyd-Randolfi
2021 – Romeissa Selmane
2021 – Tara Mansour
2020 – Joanna Stumper
2019 – MaryAnn Biele
2018 – Ann Jampel
2017 – Karen B. Halfon
Award for Teaching Excellence
This award honors an IHP instructor (full time faculty, part time faculty, term lecturer, or lab instructor) who has taught a minimum of (2) semesters and is dedicated and committed to enhancing the educational experience of occupational therapy students. This individual consistently integrates learning activities / research mentorship that enable students to expand their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in occupation and evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and professional reasoning. First awarded in 2018.
2023 – Mary W. Hildebrand
2023 – Jessica Asiello
2022 – Pauline M. Fiorello
2021 – Midge Hobbs
2020 – Emily A. Eddy
2019 – Kimberly Erler
2018 – Mary W. Hildebrand
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
This award honors and celebrates an alum that has distinguished themselves through significant leadership, service to the profession and/or a community or population. Achievements may include participation in scholarly work after their time as occupational therapy students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. This commitment to excellence is demonstrated by exceptional performance in professional pursuits such as volunteer leadership, co-authoring a manuscript or disseminating the science underpinning occupational therapy, grant funding, quality improvement projects, program development and implementation, and contributions to occupational therapy education and practice.
2023 – No Award Given
2022 – Sophie Bellenis
Award for Excellence in Capstone Education
This award recognizes outstanding communication and mentoring skills that provide opportunities beyond the didactic and fieldwork curriculum for occupational therapy students in the areas of research, advocacy, leadership, program development/evaluation, community engagement/service and teaching/learning. The individual exemplifies the qualities and skills of an outstanding capstone educator by demonstrating excellence in the areas of professionalism, communication/interpersonal skills, leadership, and mentorship. ADE onsite (MGB system) and outside/community content experts are eligible for this award.
2023 – No Award Given
2022 – Gaurdia Banister