ILOTA Awards

Please review the information below for a complete list of the 14 awards. Two awards noted below with an asterisk (*) are open to non-members of ILOTA. All other nominees must be ILOTA members at the time of their nomination. Previous award recipients are listed at this link. 

The 2025 awards nomination window will open in mid-May. All nominations must be submitted by the deadline of August 31, 2025. A comprehensive PDF summary chart that lists the description/purpose, eligibility, and criteria for each award is available here. It should be reviewed prior to submission of the nomination to make sure the nominee fulfills eligibility criteria. Use the link below to access the nomination form and upload the nomination statement as well as the nominee’s resumé or curriculum vita.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. On behalf of the ILOTA Awards Committee, thank you for participating in the awards process!

Nomination Form

This award recognizes an occupational therapist who has made significant contributions which advance occupational therapy in Illinois and positively impact the ILOTA.

This award recognizes an occupational therapy assistant who has made significant contributions which advance occupational therapy in Illinois and positively impact the ILOTA.

This award recognizes exemplary collaborative intraprofessional partnerships between OTAs/OTs that promote the advancement of the occupational therapy profession in Illinois; and promotes the collaborative model of practitioners (OTA/OT).

This award recognizes an occupational therapy student who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in academic or clinical performance and exceptional ability to promote occupational therapy through their activities; and provides an incentive for occupational therapy students to contribute to the profession at the student level of professional preparation.

This award recognizes an occupational therapy assistant student who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in academic or clinical performance and exceptional ability to promote occupational therapy through their activities; and provides an incentive for occupational therapy assistant students to contribute to the profession at the student level of professional preparation.

This award recognizes efforts which demonstrate significant contributions to ILOTA by an occupational therapy practitioner in the first five years of their career.

This award recognizes an occupational therapy practitioner (clinician, supervisor, educator, or researcher) who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship of one or more students, colleagues, or employees in a sustained partnership in practice, academic, or research contexts, wherein mutual respect, guidance, and knowledge are shared.

This award recognizes an occupational therapy practitioner or a group of practitioners whose efforts improve the provision of occupational therapy services in Illinois.

This award recognizes promotion of occupational therapy practice, payment for occupational therapy, or disability rights in the political arena.

This award recognizes members of the ILOTA or non-members who are not occupational therapy practitioners or students, who have made outstanding contributions toward increasing the public’s awareness or understanding of the value of occupational therapy; and who has expanded awareness of the profession to potential future occupational therapy practitioners.

This award recognizes an individual, group or organization that demonstrates support and advocacy for the advancement of occupational therapy in the State of Illinois.

This award recognizes individuals on the ILOTA Board who have made outstanding contributions toward facilitating board business and advancing the practice of occupational therapy in the State of Illinois.

Honors members of the ILOTA who have shaped the course of occupational therapy in the state by making a comprehensive and sustained contribution to the growth and development of occupational therapy in Illinois.

Recognizes long-term members of ILOTA who have performed distinguished service in the field of occupational therapy and with the ILOTA board; this award is granted by the ILOTA Executive Board and the recipient is granted an honorary lifetime membership in ILOTA.

Nomination Form