Leadership and Advocacy Award

The Association will recognize one exceptional leader with a long-outstanding commitment to the profession. The recipient of this award:

1. Increases the awareness and value of physiotherapy to the public and/or health care community.
2. Inspires others to exceed their own expectations in practice and to contribute to the profession.
3. Acts as an ambassador for the profession going above and beyond in the areas of integrity, professionalism, advocacy, accountability and communication.
4. May be engaged in an area of health care that is new and emerging for the profession.
5. Has made outstanding efforts in advocating for the profession at the local and/or provincial level.

Nominations must include specific examples of how the nominee has promoted the physiotherapy profession in Ontario. For example: involvement in community groups, raising awareness through communication with local government or media, serving on department or local committees, remaining current with professional issues and translating this knowledge into practice and shared learning with others.

Criteria for the Leadership and Advocacy Award

• Must be a current member in good standing of OPA/CPA.
• Member physiotherapists must be eligible to be registered to practice in Ontario.
• Nominees for the Leadership and Advocacy award must have been active within the OPA/CPA for at least five (5) years (e.g. OPA committees, working groups, Board of Directors, District Executive projects, education projects etc.)
• Each nomination must be signed by five (5) nominators. One of the five nominators will serve as the primary nominator. All member nominators must be in good standing of the Association. One nominator (but not the primary nominator) can be a non-member. A non-member can be a non-physiotherapist, patient, non-health care professional colleague etc. Non-member nominators need to have an affiliation with the individual that is linked to the award they are receiving and additional rationale and explanation from the non-member nominator is required.
• The primary nominator and the additional nominators are to complete a form through the OPA website to confirm their support for the nomination. Member nominators may choose to submit a letter of support in addition to the primary nominator completing the required fields as part of the application process. Nominators can be individuals, District executives, and OPA Committee (other than the Awards Committee)
• If the nominee has received an OPA award in the past, nominations should highlight the work and activities of this member since receiving the last award.

Innovation and Advancement Award

The Association will recognize one member who has been a trailblazer within physiotherapy community; who advances the science of the profession through innovative approaches in clinical practice, research, technology and education. This individual is a leader and mentor in their field, exploring new practices while fostering new talent. Recipient of this award:

1. Is known as someone who ‘thinks outside the box’.
2. Is on the cutting edge of the profession while striving for excellence in practice, research andor education.
3. Actively seeks out or creates solutions, providing evidence and sharing knowledge.
4. Is a strategic thinker, risk taker, visionary, progressive, and dynamic.

Criteria for the Innovation and Advancement Award

• Must be a current member in good standing of OPA/CPA.
• Member physiotherapists must be eligible to be registered to practice in Ontario.
• Nominees for the  Innovation and Advancement award must have been active within the OPA/CPA for at least five (5) years (e.g. OPA committees, working groups, Board of Directors, District Executive projects, education projects etc.)
• Each nomination must be signed by five (5) nominators. One of the five nominators will serve as the primary nominator. All member nominators must be in good standing of the Association. One nominator (but not the primary nominator) can be a non-member. A non-member can be a non-physiotherapist, patient, non-health care professional colleagues etc. Non-member nominators need to have an affiliation with the individual that is linked to the award they are receiving and additional rationale and explanation from the non-member nominator is required.
• The primary nominator and the additional nominators are to complete a form through the OPA website to confirm their support for the nomination. Member nominators may choose to submit a letter of support in addition to the primary nominator completing the required fields as part of the application process. Nominators can be individuals, District executives, and OPA Committee (other than the Awards Committee)
• If the nominee has received an OPA award in the past, nominations should highlight the work and activities of this member since receiving the last award.

Outstanding Volunteer Award

This award is given to an individual in recognition of their significant contribution to the profession, in a volunteer capacity, at a national, provincial or district level. The purpose of the award is to recognize the endless efforts of our wonderful local volunteers who generously contributed their time, passion and energy to numerous professional association activities, always demonstrating a positive and enthusiastic professional spirit.

This award includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Participation on OPA Districts or Committees.
• Providing formal or informal leadership and acting as a resource for their community.
• Planning and organizing district or provincial events of an educational, political, or social nature.
• Promoting the physiotherapy profession and/or the Association.
• Attending/promoting local and provincial association events (e.g., focus group, special events).
• Attending the OPA Annual General Meeting as a voting delegate of their district.

Criteria for the Outstanding Volunteer Award

• Must be a current member in good standing of OPA/CPA.
• Member physiotherapists must be eligible to be registered to practice in Ontario.
• Nominees for the Outstanding Volunteer award must have been active within the OPA/CPA for at least five (5) years (e.g. OPA committees, working groups, Board of Directors, District Executive projects, education projects etc.)
• Each nomination must be signed by five (5) nominators. One of the five nominators will serve as the primary nominator. All member nominators must be in good standing of the Association. One nominator (but not the primary nominator) can be a non-member. A non-member can be a non-physiotherapist, patient, non-health care professional colleagues etc. Non-member nominators need to have an affiliation with the individual that is linked to the award they are receiving and additional rationale and explanation from the non-member nominator is required.
• The primary nominator and the additional nominators are to complete a form through the OPA website to confirm their support for the nomination. Member nominators may choose to submit a letter of support in addition to the primary nominator completing the required fields as part of the application process. Nominators can be individuals, District executives, and OPA Committee (other than the Awards Committee)
• If the nominee has received an OPA award in the past, nominations should highlight the work and activities of this member since receiving the last award.

Student/New Grad Leadership Award

The Student/New Grad Leadership Award recognizes the contribution of a member enrolled in an entry-level physiotherapy program or who is in their first year of practice (new grad) who stands out as an emerging leader amongst their peers through their involvement in association activities and promoting of the profession.

• The nominee has shown exceptional effort in promoting OPA and the profession at a provincial or local level (e.g. provincial committees, district activities, involvement with promotional activities, and involvement with the National Student Assembly).
• The nominee has shown dedication to promoting physiotherapy in the university and in the community, has inspired other students through their leadership and enthusiasm, and demonstrates qualities of a lifelong learner.

Criteria for the Student/New Grad Leadership Award

• Must be a current member in good standing of OPA/CPA.
• Nominees must have a minimum of one-year membership. They must have completed at least one year of their physiotherapy program or have graduated within one year.
• Each nomination must be signed by five (5) nominators. One of the five nominators will serve as the primary nominator. All member nominators must be in good standing of the Association. One nominator (but not the primary nominator) can be a non-member. A non-member can be a non-physiotherapist, patient, non-health care professional colleagues etc. Non-member nominators need to have an affiliation with the individual that is linked to the award they are receiving and additional rationale and explanation from the non-member nominator is required.
•  The primary nominator and the additional nominators will be asked to complete a form through the OPA website to confirm their support for the nomination.  Member nominators may choose to submit a letter of support in addition to the primary nominator completing the required fields as part of the application process. Nominators can be individuals, District executives, and OPA Committee (other than the Awards Committee).