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.

2022: Sarah Hillegass

2021: Lindsay Ferrieri

2020: Matthew 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.

2022: Whitney McWherter Cranna

2021: Eliza 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.

2022: Gregory Laudani (EL-OTD), Gabriella Vasquez (PP-OTD)

2021: John Paul Bonnadonna

2020: Alisa B. Bjorkman

2019: Marguerite Jean Conners

2018: Stephanie Campbell and 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.

2022: Marina Petrilli (EL-OTD), Johanna Bardo (PP-OTD)

2021: Nikki 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.

2022: Susan E. 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.

2022: Dominic Lloyd-Randolfi & Kelly Redwine-DePierre

2021: Tara Mansour & Romeissa Selmane

2020: Joanna Stumper

2019: MaryAnn Biele

2018: Ann R. 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.

2022: Pauline M. Fiorello

2021: Midge Hobbs

2020: Emily Eddy

2019: Kimberly Erler

2018: Mary 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.

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.

2022: Gaurdia Banister