2026 VOTA Award Winners
Lillian Jackson, JMU | Lillian Jackson is a graduate student in the Occupational Therapy program at James Madison University, driven by a commitment to expanding access to care in rural communities. Raised in Union, West Virginia, she witnessed firsthand the healthcare gaps facing underserved populations and is dedicated to bringing occupational therapy services to rural southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia after graduation. Her coursework reflects a grounded, evidence-based approach, and her undergraduate research examined sensory-based interventions for children with autism. Lillian currently serves on the JMU Student Occupational Therapy Association executive board as merchandise chair and volunteers with Dance for PD, a program using dance therapy to support individuals with Parkinson's disease, as well as Adagio House and the Canteen Program, which serve people with disabilities. During her Level I fieldwork at Our Community Place, she co-organized a toiletry drive for individuals experiencing homelessness and independently facilitated group therapy sessions under supervision. A former collegiate track and field athlete, Lillian brings the same discipline and team-oriented mindset to her advocacy for equitable, community-centered care. |
OT GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD
OTA GraduateSTUDENT AWARD Grace Conner, Tidewater Community College | Grace Conner is a student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Tidewater Community College, drawn to the field after shadowing hours at a pediatric outpatient clinic and a long-term care facility convinced her she'd found the right path. As TCC OTA's inaugural Student Ambassador, she serves as a liaison between prospective students and the program, representing occupational therapy at recruitment events, information sessions, and community outreach efforts throughout the region. Grace is active in service beyond the classroom, having volunteered with the Community Outreach Coalition to package meals for local food banks, participated in the Virginia Beach Walk MS event, and contributed to the VOTA Children and Youth Conference. Outside of school, her years of experience in the restaurant industry have sharpened the teamwork, patience, and communication skills she brings to patient care. Looking ahead, Grace plans to pursue an OTA-to-OT bridge program to continue growing as a practitioner. |
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BARBARA HOWARD WINNER Kalleigh West, Old Dominion University | Kalleigh West is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy student at Old Dominion University with a deep commitment to service, advocacy, and inclusive care. Her path to OT was shaped by experience advocating for her sister, who has a disability, and by her own diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes during her undergraduate studies, which deepened her belief in compassionate, person-centered healthcare. Before OT, she earned degrees in recreational therapy and adapted physical education, working with children with disabilities, individuals with chronic conditions, and veterans with spinal cord injuries. At ODU, Kalleigh co-founded the university's Student Occupational Therapy Association and its chapter of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity, and now serves as SOTA President. She volunteers as a camp counselor and coordinator for the CHKD Diabetes Camp and the Lions Club, mentoring children navigating Type 1 Diabetes, and has supported Special Olympics athletes for six years. Looking ahead, Kalleigh plans to specialize in neonatal and early childhood practice, with a focus on helping families transition from NICU to community-based care in the Hampton Roads region. |
