AWARD OF MERIT | The Virginia Occupational Therapy Association proudly honors Dr. Amy Russell Yun with the 2025 OT Award of Merit, its highest distinction recognizing exceptional contributions to the profession. Dr. Russell Yun exemplifies excellence in education, scholarship, leadership, and community engagement. An active member of both VOTA and AOTA, she advances the profession through ongoing scholarship, presentations, and committee service, including her role on the VOTA Scope of Practice Committee. As an Assistant Professor in James Madison University’s MOT Program, Dr. Russell Yun integrates evidence-based, innovative approaches in teaching and practice, with clinical expertise in mental health and pediatrics. Her community collaborations and research in mindfulness, self-compassion, and co-occupations reflect her commitment to wellness and inclusion. A past recipient of JMU’s Distinguished Woman of the Year – Faculty Award, Dr. Russell Yun is celebrated for her mentorship, compassion, and visionary leadership in occupational therapy. |
 AWARD OF MERIT Kathryn Skibek, OTD, OTR/L | The Virginia Occupational Therapy Association proudly honors Dr. Kathryn Skibek with the 2025OT Award of Merit, recognizing her extraordinary leadership, mentorship, and lifelong dedication to advancing the profession. With more than four decades of service, Dr. Skibek has shaped generations of practitioners through her work as Program Director and Professor in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Northern Virginia Community College. A long-standing member of VOTA and AOTA, she has presented extensively at state and national conferences, sharing innovative approaches to fieldwork education, supervision, and interprofessional collaboration. She was appointed by the Governor to the Virginia Board of Medicine’s Occupational Therapy Advisory Board for two separate terms and has recently been appointed to the OT Compact liaison rules committee. Dr. Skibek has been a steadfast advocate for professional excellence. Her leadership, mentorship, and passion for the field embody the very spirit of occupational therapy and leave a lasting legacy within the profession. |
