OPA SPECIAL AWARDS
Every year, OPA members recognize the contributions of their peers with OPA Special Awards. Awards are given out during OPA’s annual conference, InterACTION. During the pandemic, the Award Winners were honoured virtually.
Check out all the Award Winners from 2023 and before below.
2023 AWARD WINNERS
VENKADESAN RAJENDRAN – INNOVATION & ADVANCEMENT AWARD
The Innovation and Advancement Award recognizes a member who has been a trailblazer within physiotherapy and advances the science of the profession through innovating approaches in clinical practice, research, technology and education.
ANDY WANG – LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY AWARD
The Leadership and Advocacy Award recognizes a member who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the profession by increasing the awareness and value of physiotherapy to the public and/or health care community.
CONNOR MCQUEEN- 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.
PAULETTE GARDINER MILLAR- OPA SPECIAL AWARD – OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD
The OPA Board of Directors recognized the outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic of Paulette Gardiner Millar as President of OPA.
DORIANNE SAUVÉ – OPA SPECIAL AWARD – OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD
The OPA Board of Directors recognized the outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic of Paulette Gardiner Millar as President of OPA.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
Congratulations to OPA members for their years of commitment to the profession by maintaining a membership in the Association for 50 years.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 50 YEAR MEMBERS
In 2023, we recognized 3 members for achieving their 50-year membership milestones.
2022 AWARD WINNERS
JENNA SMITH-TURCHYN- INNOVATION & ADVANCEMENT AWARD
The Innovation and Advancement Award recognizes a member who has been a trailblazer within physiotherapy and advances the science of the profession through innovating approaches in clinical practice, research, technology and education.
SUSAN MACQUEEN – LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY AWARD
The Leadership and Advocacy Award recognizes a member who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the profession by increasing the awareness and value of physiotherapy to the public and/or health care community.
KAJAL NETO- 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.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
Congratulations to OPA members for their years of commitment to the profession by maintaining a membership in the Association for 50 and 60 years.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 50 & 60 YEAR MEMBERS
This year, we recognize 6 members for achieving their 50-year, and 1 member for achieving their 60-year membership milestones.
PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
2021 AWARD WINNERS
Jasdeep Dhir, Innovation & Advancement Award
Carol Moore, Leadership & Advocacy Award
Mackenzie Holden, Student/New Grad Leadership Award
University of Toronto, Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program, OPA Special Award
2019 AWARD WINNERS
Greg Spadoni, Innovation & Advancement Award
Derek Debassige, Leadership & Advocacy Award
Robert Cusinato, Outstanding Volunteer Award
Trudy Mason, OPA Special Board Award
2018 AWARD WINNERS
Karen Strike, Innovation & Advancement Award
Karen Brunton, Leadership & Advocacy Award
Liam Dessureault, Outstanding Volunteer Award
Greg Smith, Student Leadership Award
2017 AWARD WINNERS
Kara Patterson, Innovation & Advancement Award
Gloria Schmuck, Leadership & Advocacy Award
Jean Liu, Outstanding Volunteer Award
Mujeeb Duranai, Student Leadership Award
David White, PTA Leadership Award
2016 AWARD WINNERS
Kelly O’Brien, Innovation & Advancement Award
Caroline Gill, Leadership & Advocacy Award
Dave Wilkinson, Outstanding Volunteer Award
Chelsea Elvy, Student Leadership Award
The Awards Committee revised the awards program in 2016 to align with the Association’s priorities related to leadership development and innovation within the profession. Prior Award Descriptions:
Education
The OPA Education Award recognizes an individual with a history of educational excellence and commitment to professional development. The award acknowledges physiotherapists who are academic or clinical educators (teaching/supervising), and involved in development of innovative programs that influence education in physiotherapy.
Research
The OPA Research Award is given to an individual who demonstrates leadership in scholarly activities and who has made significant contributions to research within the profession as an investigator, an educator or a clinician.
Student
The OPA Student Award recognizes the contribution of a member who is enrolled in an entry-level physiotherapy program. The individual has demonstrated leadership in the student arena related to the vision of OPA. The individual has also been an active participant in activities of OPA.
Volunteer
The OPA Volunteer Award is given to an individual in recognition of their significant contribution to the profession, in a voluntary capacity, at a national, provincial or district level. This person would be someone who has generously contributed their time and effort to numerous professional activities demonstrating a positive and enthusiastic professional spirit.
Professional Contribution – Internal
The OPA Professional Contribution – Internal Award recognizes a member physiotherapist who demonstrates strong leadership and who goes above and beyond in the areas of integrity, professionalism, innovation, advocacy, accountability and communication. They may be described as someone who inspires others to be a better physiotherapist and contribute to the profession.
Professional Contribution – External
The OPA Professional Contribution – External Award recognizes a member physiotherapist who acts as an ambassador for the profession through community and/or health related commitments external to the profession. Such endeavors do not require them to be physiotherapists but affords opportunities to increase public awareness of the profession and advance OPA’s mission and strategic directions.
2015 AWARD WINNERS
Carolyn Vandyken, Education
Nadine Graham, Research
Sarah Luxon, Student
Hospital Advisory Committee, Professional Contribution – Internal
Ottawa Physio Race Committee, OPA Special Award from the OPA Board of Directors
2014 AWARD WINNERS
Dr. Pat Miller, Research
Abdullah Imam, Student
Basia Gorczyca,Volunteer
Oren Cheifetz, Professional Contribution – External
2013 AWARD WINNERS
Laurie Wishart, Education
Monica Maly, Research
Ali Hassan, Student
Erin Morgan-Donnelly, Volunteer
Maria Lung, Professional Contribution – Internal
Jo-Anne Howe, Professional Contribution – External
2012 AWARD WINNERS
Judy King, Education
Vince DePaul, Research
Tiffaney Marlow, Student
James Foley, Professional Contribution – Internal
Sue Ferguson, Professional Contribution – External
2011 AWARD WINNERS
Kris Riseling, Education
Cathy Anderson, Research
Jay Shaw, Student
Kristine Houde, Volunteer
Chantal Lauzon, Professional Contribution – Internal
Julie Rice, Professional Contribution – External
2010 AWARD WINNERS
Brenda Mori, Education
Nancy Salbach, Research
Kathleen Norman, Volunteer
Kim Wolny, Professional Contribution – Internal
Michel Landry, Professional Contribution – External
2009 AWARD WINNERS
Robyn Davies, Education
Deborah Kennedy, Research
Ana Delic, Student
Diane Follwell, Volunteer
Mary Solomon, Professional Contribution – Internal
Doug Freer, Professional Contribution – External
2008 AWARD WINNERS
Diana Hopkins-Rosseel, Education
Anita Gross, Research
Annette Bailey, Volunteer
Caroline Gill, Professional Contribution – Internal
2007 AWARD WINNERS
Leslie Bisbee, Education
Alain Mayhew, Research
Grace Liu-Chan, Volunteer
Susan Putney, Professional Contribution – Internal
Michelle Strong, Professional Contribution – External
2006 AWARD WINNERS
Kay Yardley, Education
Dr. Maria Huijbregts, Research
Audrey Mohr, Volunteer
Jennifer Cummings, Professional Contribution – Internal
Helen Johnson, Professional Contribution – External
2005 AWARD WINNERS
Elaine Foster-Seargeant, Education
Dr. Cherly Cott, Research
Judy Cline, Professional Contribution – Internal
Doreen Sharpe, Professional Contribution – External
2004 AWARD WINNERS
Judy Fox, Education
Dave Wilkinson, Professional Contribution – Internal
2003 AWARD WINNERS
Bahram Jam, Education
Linda Adamnson, Professional Contribution – Internal
2002 AWARD WINNERS
Lynne Sinclair, Education
Bev Lafoley, Professional Contribution – Internal
2001 AWARD WINNERS
Mahrukh Billimoria, Education
Stephanie Nixon, Professional Contribution – Internal
2000 AWARD WINNERS
John Johnson, Professional Contribution – Internal
Barbara Paull, Professional Contribution – External
1999 AWARD WINNERS
Dr. Joans McComas, Research
Bonnie McInnes, Professional Contribution – Internal
Dorothy Borovich, Professional Contribution – External
1998 AWARD WINNERS
Professor Paul Stratford, Education
Ken Higgs, Professional Contribution – Internal
Maureen Dwight, Professional Contribution – External
1997 AWARD WINNERS
Katherine Obright, Education
Elspeth Finch, Professional Contribution – Internal
Mary Solomon, Professional Contribution – External
1996 AWARD WINNERS
Helene Larin, Education
Jean Crowe, Research
Diana Hopkins-Rosseel, Professional Contribution – Internal
Karen Lee, Professional Contribution – External
1995 AWARD WINNERS
Diane Gasner, Education
Ethen Naussbaum, Research
Heather Brien, Professional Contribution – Internal
Christine Griffin, Professional Contribution – External
1994 AWARD WINNERS
Bert Chesworth, Education
Beverley Padfield, Education
Patricia Ellis, Professional Contribution – Internal
Shari Sampson, Professional Contribution – External
1993 AWARD WINNERS
Elspeth Finch, Education
Julie Anne Sanford, Research
Marel Fielding, Professional Contribution – Internal
Cheryl Lee Mogensen, Professional Contribution – External
1992 AWARD WINNERS
Judith Chapman, Education
Renee Williams, Research
Norma Bird, Professional Contribution – Internal
Patricia Ellis, Professional Contribution – External
1991 AWARD WINNERS
Patricia Solomon, Education
Judith Heuff, Professional Contribution – Internal
Gary Lapenskie, Professional Contribution – External
1990 AWARD WINNERS
Sally Morgan, Education
Dr. Edith Herman, Research
Professor Paul Stratford, Research
Janice Miller, Professional Contribution – External
Karen Tribble, Professional Contribution – Internal
1989 AWARD WINNERS
Antoine Helewa, Research
Trishan Kelso, Professional Contribution – Internal
1988 AWARD WINNERS
Gertrude Mensch, Education
Jennifer Nymark, Research
Subhash Dighe, Professional Contribution – External
Karen Fryday-Field, Professional Contribution – Internal
1987 AWARD WINNERS
Wendy Aspinall, Education
Laura Lunn, Professional Contribution – Internal
1985 AWARD WINNERS
Helen Saarinen, Education
Len Cunningham, Research
Catherine McCallum, Research
1983 AWARD WINNERS
Carolyn (Kelly) Gowland, Research
Mary Sauriol, Professional Contribution – Internal
