The AOTF Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardo recognizes and supports investigators who have contributed to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy.

The 2020 recipient, Elizabeth A. Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, Associate Professor Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, College of Public Health, Temple University discusses her journey and work enhancing community participation for transitional youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and serious mental illness.

Learn more about AOTF Awards and Grants.

The Gerry Balasta Occupational Therapy Scholarship will provide financial aid to an occupational therapy student enrolled in an OT degree program in New York. This scholarship honors the memory of Gerry who sadly passed away from COVID-19 in April.

Gerry Balasta, OTR/L, was a remarkable early intervention pediatric OT, entrepreneur, film maker and husband who sadly passed away from COVID-19 in April 2020. For over 20 years he worked in New York at a private pediatric practice with specialization on sensory and motor integration and Adult Neuro-Ortho. He recently sold a pediatric entity in New York to his partners, so that he could embark on another clinic with his wife Lea. Longtime NYC OT and PT, Iris Kimberg, a private practice consultant who knew Gerry for 20 years, brought this sad news to our attention and has been a leader in creating this meaningful tribute. 

Gerry was also a passionate film maker, founding Inspire Change Films in 2007, and combined his OT background with his film making to enhance his connection to people and their stories. In 2010 he created, directed and produced "The Mountain Thief" which told the story of the people of Patayas, one of the Philippines largest dumpsite towns. Gerry masterfully told the story of the people of the town who live off the mountains of trash in dumpsite towns but manage to retain their dignity and thankfulness for life. The film had a hugely successful film festival run, won the Special Jury Prize at the San Francisco International Asian-American Film Festival, The Prix Du Public at CCIFF, France and the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award in Washington DC. 

Gerry's life was dedicated to helping people by connecting to people. Now we seek to honor his legacy by creating a scholarship that will help the next class of occupational therapists as they work towards their degrees. With both demand for OT services and the costs of OT education rising, we need to help those who are preparing for a career in service to others. 

Please make a gift to support Gerry's scholarship. Your generosity will enable us to make the first scholarship award in the spring of 2021.  Thank you. 

Kristie Patten Koenig, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, New York University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Vice Chair AOTF Board of Trustees, coordinated with NYU Steidhardt OT students who were eager to support OT's on the COVID-19 frontlines. This new NYU COVID “OuTreach” Team started by gathering feedback from New York City’s hospitals to find out how to best offer support. Their first initiative raised over $4,000 via social media for lunches supplied to OT's at Bellevue Hospital in Manhatten. They also collaborated with students and faculty throughout the NYU OT department to create and send Thank You videos and digital cards. Their collaboration between the hospital and NYU OT also led to donated tablets to help Bellevue patients feel more connected to their families. To show their appreciation, Bellevue’s OTs created a virtual session for the students to share their valuable and unique experiences working with COVID-19 patients. Read more

In addition, Dr. Koenig is a PI of a team at the NYU ASD Nest Support Project that put together resources for families and educators working with students in the NYCDOE’s ASD Nest Program in the transition to remote learning.

We're proud of our 2020 Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) graduates! Please keep in touch as you contribute to the advancement of the field of occupational therapy.

Although your graduation celebrations may not be quite as you envisioned, we have some PTE gear to help make it special:

• PTE pin bearing the logo of Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society
• Honor cord

Best Wishes!

AOTF