Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2019 | Page 20

FEATURE AWARDS 2019 Meet 2019’s champions of occupational therapy The award winners at the RCOT’s annual Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards Over the next eight pages, we speak with the worthy winners of RCOT’s Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards 20 20 OTnews October 2019 award winners and grant recipients T he judges always have their work cut out in selecting the winners of RCOT’s annual Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards, but 2019 has proven a tougher year than most. It’s therefore no surprise that there are 20 award winners this year, including a record five fellowships, the highest award bestowed by RCOT. 100 invited guests from across the UK gathered on Tuesday 17 September at the Shard in London to celebrate the winners. The awards honour the lifelong contributions of the profession’s leading lights and the dedicated members who are pioneering new ways to bring occupational therapy to the public. Research awards and grants are also given, providing financial support to those at every level to advance their work. Together, the 20 winners represent a snapshot of some of the profession’s most exciting work in 2019. Julia Scott, RCOT chief executive, said: ‘It is wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our award winners – whether just starting on their occupational therapy journey, or those already very senior and experienced in their career – they are all fantastic ambassadors for the profession.’