Pictured left to right: Halley Read, Ph.D., and Katie O’Day, former association president of OTA.
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Halley Read, Ph.D., capstone coordinator of the Occupational Therapy program at Western Oregon University, was the recipient of the Grace Black Award of Honor at the 2024 Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon’s Annual Conference. This award is the highest recognition for an occupational therapist practitioner in Oregon.
The Grace Black Award of Honor is named after Grace Black, a foundational figure in OT practice and the OT Association of Oregon (OTAO). Black served on the committee that drafted the OTAO’s original constitution in 1946 and established the occupational therapy department at what is now called Oregon Health Sciences University.
“It was a profound honor to receive the highest honor for an OT practitioner in the state of Oregon,” shared Read. I stand on the shoulders of giants, and take that privilege and the accompanying responsibilities seriously. To be honored in this way, by my community of OT here in Oregon, is a moment I won’t forget.”
A fellow member of the OT Association of Oregon who nominated Read shared, “When picturing a practitioner who is truly serving our Oregon community, Halley is the first name I thought of. She is the definition of service, mentorship, and spreading the reach of OT far and wide. She has served as a dedicated member of both OTAO and AOTA, most recently as the current chair for OTAO’s Conference Committee. Under her leadership, I am confident this year’s conference will be excellent!”
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About the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is located in the Center for Graduate Studies in downtown Salem, which provides a collaborative space for graduate students to study, meet with peers, and work on group projects. This dedicated facility is designed to foster community and support academic success.
About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
