MOTA Awards and Scholarships

Missouri Occupational Therapy AssociationMOTA Scholarships

Congratulations to this year's winners!

The winner of the 2008 Susan Sheckley Barnes scholarship was Sara Mosher from St. Louis University.

The winner of the 2008 MOTA scholarship was Laura Beach from Ozark Technical College. 

The Susan Scheckley Barnes Scholarship: Susan Sheckley Barnes graduated from the St. Louis School of Occupational Therapy, currently the Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy, in 1928 and was one of  the pioneers in the early years of our profession.  She combined kindness  and grace with a remarkable ability to organize and
motivate people.  The Susan Sheckley Barnes scholarship is given to an entry level Occupational Therapy student who best demonstrates  the characteristics that Susan embraced:  generosity, altruism, creativity,  leadership, resourcefulness and optimism.

The MOTA Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to an Occupational Therapy Assistant student for exceptional academic ability, leadership skills, participation in volunteer activities and financial need.

Applications for the 2009 scholarship will be sent out in September 2009.  Applicants for either scholarship must be a member of the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association.  The students must be currently enrolled in an accredited Occupational Therapy program. The scholarship winners will be recognized at the Fall MOTA Conference.  Both Scholarships are available to entry-level students.  OTD students are not considered entry-level and are encouraged to apply for scholarships awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, AOTF.

If you have questions about either scholarship, please contact the Scholarship Co-Chairs , please contact Mary Fran Daniel, OTR/L at mfrdjd@swbell.net or Carol Ponciroli, OTR at cpotrl@aol.net.


Nomination News

The Nominations Committee is investigating online voting for future elections.  If you would like to offer input to this new process, please forward your suggestions to acunningham@maryville.edu .

Award of Merit

This is the highest honor given to the OT or OTA who actively promotes OT in a variety of areas and has affected the work of many through clinical practice, teaching, management or research.

Outstanding Clinician

This award recognizes the therapist who is a “master clinician”, provides exceptional service, and is respected for their skill and clinical reasoning and goes above and beyond the call of duty.

OTA Award of Excellence

This award honors an OTA who serves as a mentor for others with strong clinical skills and has developed exceptional relationships with other therapists, clients, staff, and family members.

Outstanding Administrator/Supervisor/ Educator

This award recognizes the administrator, supervisor, or educator who promotes professionalism, quality care, and development of the profession and serves as a positive role model for staff and/ or students.

OTA / OT Partnership Award

This award recognizes an OTA and OT who through their collaboration of occupational therapy exemplify the professional partnership.  The evidence of the OTA/ OT partnership will show contributions in practice/ research or education through shared expertise.

Outstanding Service to the Organization or Profession

This award recognizes exceptional OT practitioners who volunteer time, energy and skills to the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association and the community.  They are dedicated to serving the members and the community by promoting the mission of MOTA.

Ashlyn Cunningham, MA, OTR/L

Nominations Chairperson