Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Rachel Ashcraft, MS, OTR/L, TBRI Practitioner, received the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association’s (ALOTA) highest honor, the Elsie Holmes McKibbin Award, at its 2024 Annual Fall Conference in Gulf Shores, AL. ALOTA President Alyssa Ritenour, DrOT, OTR/L, nominated Ashcraft for the award, given annually to an occupational therapist who has significantly advanced the profession’s knowledge base.

Ashcraft, she said, has distinguished herself as a leader, ensuring ALOTA’s growth and financial stability as the organization’s president during the COVID-19 pandemic; as an advocate, particularly for vulnerable children; and as a nationally recognized expert in trauma-informed care.

Educating occupational therapists and others about trauma-informed care is a cornerstone of Ashcraft’s career. She established and directs UAB’s Multitiered Approach to Trauma Graduate Certificate program, and has lectured across the United States on trauma-informed care. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in this area, and coedited the book Trauma, Occupations, and Participation: Foundations and Population Considerations in Occupational Therapy, published in 2021 by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Dr. Ritenour also praised Ashcraft’s work for underserved communities, including her founding in 2016 of Foster the Future Alabama. This nonprofit promotes health and wellness among Alabama’s foster youth and provides opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in their communities. AOTA recognized Ashcraft’s efforts in 2018 with its Emerging and Innovative Practice Award, which she received for developing “trailblazing service access for vulnerable children.”

“Rachel’s excellent leadership skills and her dedication to serving underserved communities and the profession embodies the spirit of the McKibbin award,” Dr. Ritenour said.