May 4, 2025 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 1 Constitution Wharf
MGH Institute of Health Professions
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Department of Occupational Therapy
DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
CLASS OF 2025 AWARDS & CELEBRATION DAY
May 4, 2025
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
1CW Conference Center
WELCOME REMARKS
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP
Associate Professor, Interim Chair &
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director
Entry-Level OTD CLASS OF 2025 STUDENT ADDRESS
Kathleen McColgan, OT/s
Post-Professional OTD CLASS OF 2025 STUDENT ADDRESS
Courtney Swanson, OT, MS, OTR
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Announced by
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP
Associate Professor, Interim Chair &
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director and
Emily Z. Eddy, OT, OTD, MS, OTR
Assistant Professor & Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director
CLOSING REMARKS
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP
Associate Professor, Interim Chair &
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director
CLASS PHOTOS AND WELL WISHES
DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Shreya B. Bhatt
Brenna L. Bigenwald
Danielle Nicole Burnetta
Camille Carnevale
Caitlin Faye Clarizia
Jillian Marie DeAlmeida
Sadie J. Duff
Natalie Lynn Dye
Emma Marie Fried
Hannah Gaumer
Megan Thi Thien George
Ashlyn D. Harris
Christiana B. Jussome
Nehda Khadjenoori
Sarah R. Kunkel
Alice Ye Rim Lee
Elizabeth Simone Litt
Kathleen Luz McColgan
Joanna Lorraine McDonough
Katherine Margaret Moore
Sophie A. Nash
Erin O'Brien
Jaclyn Okun
Grace Elizabeth Oliveira
Bhumi D. Patel
Hongyu Qian
Evelyn Miriam Roberts
Elizabeth A. Scharer
Mallory Lauren Spring
Lindsey Margaret Stevenson
Kristtyan Tran
Tiffany Tsang
Jean Vazquez
Alison W. Xi
Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Leah Y. Ahn
Amy Elizabeth Donabedian
Casey Hynes
Andrea L. McCabe
Casey L. Rabideau
Courtney Marie Swanson
Award
STUDENT AWARDS
Award for Student Excellence
This award honors a graduating occupational therapy student who distinguishes themselves through academic and professional excellence.
Award for Student Innovation
This award honors a student or team of students that has demonstrated excellence in the creation of a new product, program, design and/or method of applying the principles and practice of occupational therapy.
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 who 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.
Emerging Scholar Award
This award honors a student or group of students who have distinguished themselves through significant participation in scholarly work during their time as occupational therapy students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. 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.
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. This awardee(s) demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of the MGH Institute of Health Professions through professional excellence.
Outstanding Teaching Award
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.
Faculty Award for Excellence
This award honors an occupational therapy faculty member who is dedicated to enhancing the experience of OT students. This individual demonstrates exceptional commitment through innovative teaching, thoughtful advising, and impactful mentoring, fostering both academic and professional growth. They go beyond the classroom to support and inspire students, creating a learning environment that promotes excellence, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Their dedication to student success, professional development, and the advancement of occupational therapy education exemplifies the highest standards of faculty excellence.
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 and support staff are eligible for this award.
Recognition of Service
We honor the students who served or worked in leadership positions across the OT department, clubs, and/or the MGH Institute during their academic tenure. These individuals prioritized the ethos of occupational therapy, representing the student voice, and embodying the mission of the Institute.
We thank you!
