2026 NVOTA Awards

2026 NVOTA Awards: Call for Nominations!

Help us recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of occupational therapy practitioners and students in Nevada!

The Nevada Occupational Therapy Association (NVOTA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 NVOTA Awards. These awards honor individuals who demonstrate excellence, leadership, innovation, and dedication to the field of occupational therapy. This is your chance to spotlight the outstanding occupational therapy practitioners, educators, advocates, and students who make a difference in our profession every day.
How to Nominate
Review the award descriptions below to find the best fit for your nominee. Then select the button to complete the nomination form. Please submit a separate form for each nomination, and note that nominations are not anonymous.
The NVOTA Awards honor occupational therapy practitioners, educators, advocates, and students who show excellence, leadership, innovation, and dedication to our profession. Nominate someone who inspires you by completing the form below. Please submit a separate form for each nomination, and note that nominations are not anonymous.
Nominations close November 20.
Award ceremony will occur at the NVOTA Holiday Party on December 16th (Location TBD).
Fieldwork Educator of the Year

Who: For a fieldwork educator who has accomplished taking on at least one student in either 2024, 2025, or 2026.

Criteria: Fieldwork educators who have shown the ability to collaborate with the student, creativity and innovation in how to educate the student to help them learn, impact on the student, and inclusion of that student to the work environment.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? No
● Nominations must be made by a student or former student that is a NVOTA member? Yes
● Self-nomination allowed? No
● Multiple winners possible? Yes

Who: For a NVOTA student member who has accomplished more than a typical student while in an OT/OTA program. A financial award will be awarded.

Criteria: Students who are an example to other students of how important and beneficial it is to go above and beyond normal responsibilities of a student in the areas of grades, volunteer work, gaining professional experience (including participation in a professional association (NVOTA), and leadership skills.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? Yes
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? Yes
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? Yes

(One winner will be selected from each academic program in Nevada.)

Who: For an occupational therapy practitioner who has contributed to the field of occupational therapy through evidence-based research, publications, professional awards, or funded research.

Criteria: Practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional publication, evidence of disciplinary impact, and leadership in the field of occupational therapy.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? Yes
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? No

Who: For exceptional leadership by a practitioner in management, administration, and/or mentoring endeavors.

Criteria: Leaders demonstrate excellence in leading people towards positive outcomes which improve patient care, education, DEIJAB, and other significant outcomes. They have the ability to inspire and motivate those around them; display strong team building skills and values teamwork; inspire innovation and creativity; show passion for the profession of occupational therapy; and cultivate others to become leaders within the profession.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? Yes
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? Yes

Who: For exceptional development of a thriving business in Nevada.

Criteria: Entrepreneurs create a business/company which displays a track record of milestones and achievements of success; a vision/mission of growth and evolution of the profession of occupational therapy; and social/community responsibility for the population to which it serves.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? No
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? No
● Multiple winners possible? Yes

Who: For the creation of a new, awe-inspiring approach to occupational therapy.

Criteria: Practitioners who created a new, innovative and/or emerging occupational therapy practice which serves the growing needs of clients in health care; showing non-traditional occupational therapy practices for underserved populations; utilizing new or awe-inspiring approaches to achieve/increase consumer outcomes; creates an emerging niche to increase the professions relevancy and response to changes within the profession and health care overall.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? No
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? No

Who: For an extraordinary occupational therapist who is most deserving of NVOTA’s highest honor. NVOTA’s Mission: We are dedicated to supporting the occupational therapy community; our mission is to champion the distinct value of occupational therapy by supporting its practitioners, students, and community partners. We facilitate engagement by offering accessible resources, educational and networking opportunities, mentorship and advocacy.

Criteria: Practitioners who have made outstanding contributions in alignment with NVOTA’s mission and values; provided meaningful and much needed aid to communities within Nevada; supported and added value to the occupational therapy profession.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? Yes
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? No

Who: For an extraordinary occupational therapy assistant who is most deserving of NVOTA’s highest honor. NVOTA’s Mission: We are dedicated to supporting the occupational therapy community; our mission is to champion the distinct value of occupational therapy by supporting its practitioners, students, and community partners. We facilitate engagement by offering accessible resources, educational and networking opportunities, mentorship and advocacy.

Criteria: Practitioners who have made outstanding contributions in alignment with NVOTA’s mission and values; provided meaningful and much-needed aid to communities within Nevada; supported and added value to the occupational therapy profession

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? Yes
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? No

Who: For practitioners and students who advocate for the profession and practice of occupational
therapy at local, state, or federal levels.

Criteria: Practitioners and students who have demonstrated advocacy for occupational therapy at any level in the state of Nevada. Advocates for the needs within the field of occupational therapy to support clients and practitioners. The impact of advocacy is demonstrated in the community through honorable recognition and action. NVOTA’s mission and values are reflected through themeans of advocacy.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? No
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? Yes
● Multiple winners possible? Yes

Who: For practitioners, students and/or organizations that promote and engage in collaborative work to advance improved quality healthcare and quality of life for individuals in Nevada.

Criteria: Practitioners, students or organizations who have demonstrated active collaborative support through engagement in projects with occupational therapy practitioners and NVOTA. Possible recipients should have demonstrated support and action across at least two (or more) disciplines. The recipient should have demonstrated communication skills as this represents a multidisciplinary effort. The impact of the collaboration should also be demonstrated in the community through honorable recognition and action. NVOTA’s mission and values are reflected through the means of the collaboration.

Requirements:
● Nominee must be a NVOTA member? No
● Nominations must be made by a NVOTA member? No
● Self-nomination allowed? No
● Multiple winners possible? Yes

Submit Award Nomination Here