HomeTNOTA Hall of Fame Awards

TNOTA Hall of Fame Awards

Introducing the 2026 TNOTA Hall of Fame Awards

Welcome to the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA) Awards! As we chart the course for the future of occupational therapy in our state, we are thrilled to launch this program to honor the outstanding individuals who make our profession extraordinary.

This inaugural year marks a historic milestone for TNOTA. We are calling on our community – practitioners, educators, students, and advocates – to help us identify the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who exemplify the spirit of OT.

By nominating a colleague, you are not only recognizing their hard work but also setting the standard for excellence for generations of Tennessee OT practitioners to come. Self-nominations are being accepted (for 2 of the 3 awards this year) as well as peer nominations.

Please review the award criteria below, submit your nomination, and share your rationale for why your nominee deserves to be part of our very first class of honorees.

Thank you!

This year’s Awards
Below you will find all 3 of the TNOTA Awards for 2026. Each award is presented in its own section and includes:

  • The full award description and selection criteria
  • Eligibility requirements
  • A nomination form

How to Nominate

  • Click on an award below
  • Review the criteria
  • Click the button that says “Click HERE to Access Nominations Form” to be taken to a nomination form

Important Deadlines

  • All nominations must be submitted by July 31, 2026.

Questions? Please contact admin@tnota.org

To visit the TNOTA Hall of Fame - CLICK HERE
Purpose/Objective

Recognizes a member who actively supports, mentors, and elevates others while advancing their own career. This is less about titles and more about how someone moves through the profession – collaboratively over competitively, particularly in a way that supports the mission of TNOTA.

Key Criteria
  • Demonstrates consistent mentorship (formal or informal)
  • Actively creates opportunities in leadership for students, new grads, or peers
  • Promotes inclusivity, belonging, and professional growth
  • Facilitates the mission of TNOTA
Eligibility Parameters - Nominations are open to all licensed OT practitioners.
  • Must be a TNOTA member
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience recommended
  • Cannot be self-nominated
Evidence / Nomination Materials

Nomination centered on narrative examples of mentorship impact across the following criteria

Demonstration of consistent mentorship (formal or informal) – one point earned for each achievement listed below (maximum points available: 12):

  • Served as a fieldwork educator for an OT/OTA student – one point for each student, up to 3
  • Facilitated recruitment of another person into the profession of OT – one point for each example, up to 3 examples
  • Participated as a mentor in the TNOTA Mentorship Program – one point for each cycle in which the person participated, up to 3 points
  • Demonstrated other examples of formal or informal mentorship – one point for each example, up to 3 examples

Creating opportunities for students, new grads, or peers (maximum points available: 12):

  • Helped to recruit an OT/OTA student, new grad, or peer as a member and/or volunteer of TNOTA – one point for each example, up to 3 examples
  • Allowed a student or early career OT practitioner to observe in a clinical setting – one point for each example, up to 3 examples
  • Facilitated professional growth in an OT/OTA student or early career OT practitioner by co-presenting or co-publishing – one point for each example, up to 3 examples
  • Promoted a sense of belonging within the profession and TNOTA by inviting an OT/OTA student or early career OT practitioner to attend conference or another professionally-related event or activity – one point for each example, up to 3 examples
Click HERE to Access Nominations Form

*TNOTA staff will check on the membership status of each nominee and, if a nominee is not a member, will invite them to join/renew so they can be considered for the award. The person making the nomination does not have to verify membership in TNOTA.

Purpose / Objective

Recognizes a seasoned OT practitioner whose sustained contributions have had a lasting impact on the profession, community, and/or TNOTA.

Key Criteria
  • Longstanding leadership and service (clinical, academic, and/or organizational)
  • Measurable or widely recognized impact on the profession and/or TNOTA
  • Contributions to advancing OT practice, advocacy/policy, or education
Eligibility Parameters - Nominations are open to all licensed OT practitioners
  • Typically 15+ years in the profession
  • Licensed OT or OTA
  • Significant connection to TNOTA (leadership and/or other type of service)
Evidence / Nomination Materials

Nomination with summary of career contributions; self-nomination is allowed for this award + Resume/CV

Demonstration of longstanding leadership & service (maximum points available: 12):

  • Served on the TNOTA Board (1 point per year, up to 3)
  • Served on a TNOTA committee or as part of district leadership within TNOTA (1 point per year served in that role, up to 3)
  • Held leadership positions in employer organizations, professional associations other than TNOTA, and/or community organizations (1 point per role, up to 3)
  • Served as a fieldwork educator, Capstone subject matter expert, mentor, or academic instructor over multiple years (1 point per student supervised/taught, up to 3)

Measurable or widely recognized contributions to OT practice, advocacy/policy, or education (maximum points available: 12):

  • Developed or implemented a new program, initiative, service, community partnership, or practice model (1 point per example, up to 3)
  • Contributed to legislative, regulatory, reimbursement, or advocacy efforts benefiting OT (1 point per example, up to 3)
  • Authored publications, educational materials, or professional resources (1 point per example, up to 3)
  • Provided continuing education, guest lectures, or other professional education activities (1 point per example, up to 3)
Click HERE to Access Nominations Form

*TNOTA staff will check on the membership status of each nominee and, if a nominee is not a member, will invite them to join/renew so they can be considered for the award. The person making the nomination does not have to verify membership in TNOTA.

Purpose / Objective

Honors an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) who demonstrates excellence in practice, leadership, and contribution to the occupational therapy profession, particularly in a way that supports the mission of TNOTA

Key Criteria
  • Evidence of exemplary clinical practice and client-centered care
  • Strong collaboration with OTs and interdisciplinary teams
  • Contributions to program development, education, or advocacy
  • Serves as a role model within the OT community through volunteer work with TNOTA
Eligibility Parameters - Nominations are open to all licensed OT practitioners
  • Must be a licensed OTA and TNOTA member
  • Recommended 5+ years of practice
Evidence / Nomination Materials

Nomination with examples demonstrating impact; self-nomination is allowed for this award + Resume/CV

Excellence in practice and client-centered care, in a way that centers on collaboration with OTs and interdisciplinary team members (maximum points available: 12):

  • Demonstrated innovative or exemplary clinical interventions resulting in positive client outcomes (1 point per example, up to 2)
  • Developed resources, protocols, or processes that improved service delivery (1 point per example, up to 3)
  • Participated in interdisciplinary teams to improve client outcomes (up to 2 examples)
  • Assisted in training, onboarding, or mentoring staff, students, or colleagues (up to 2 examples)
  • Collaborated with OTs on program development, quality improvement, research, or education projects (up to 3 examples)

Contributions to education, leadership, advocacy, or program development (maximum points available: 12):

  • Served in a volunteer leadership role within TNOTA (1 point per role or per year in a single role, up to 3)
  • Presented educational content, inservices, workshops, or conference sessions (1 point per example, up to 3)
  • Led or contributed significantly to the development of programs, services, committees, or initiatives (up to 3 examples)
  • Participated in TNOTA advocacy, membership, mentorship, or outreach initiatives and/or recruited members, volunteers, or conference participants to TNOTA (up to 3 points)
Click HERE to Access Nominations Form

*TNOTA staff will check on the membership status of each nominee and, if a nominee is not a member, will invite them to join/renew so they can be considered for the award. The person making the nomination does not have to verify membership in TNOTA.

THANK YOU for helping TNOTA recognize excellence in occupational therapy in our state!

Join TNOTA