Honors and Awards

Fellow International Ergonomics Association 2022

Outstanding Mentor Award – 2020

American Occupational Therapy Association

Catherine Anne Trombly Award for contribution to Occupational  Therapy Education and Research – 2019

Massachusetts Association for  Occupational Therapy

Special Recognition  Alumni Award – 2019

Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College

Leadership Award – 2019

Occupational Therapy Association of Morocco

Service Commendation – 2018

American Occupational Therapy Association

Certificate of Appreciation – 2018

World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Fellow  – 2016

Human Factors & Ergonomics Society

Vocational Service Leadership Award  – 2016

Rotary International

Service Commendation – 2016

American Occupational Therapy Association, Ad Hoc Distinct Value Subgroup Health & Wellness

Honorary Scarlett Key – 2012

Boston University

Faculty-in-Residence Award – 2012
Boston University Office of Residence Life

Alumni Award  – 2012
Boston University Department of OT

Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award – 2011
“The Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award is an academic honor established as a memorial to Eleanor Clarke Slagle, one of the outstanding pioneers in the profession of occupational therapy. The purpose is to honor a member of AOTA who has creatively contributed to the development of the body of knowledge of the profession through research, education and clinical practice”. Karen received the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award in recognition of her contributions in Innovative Advocacy Linking Practice, Education and Research. She gave her lecture at the 2012 American Occupational Therapy Association’s conference in Indianapolis.

Award of Merit-2009
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)

Twiness Award-2009

Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College Alumni Board

AOTA Service Commendation – 2008
American Occupational Therapy Association

Keeper of the Flame Award – 2007
National Women’s Hall of Fame

Yu Wing Distinguished Scholar – 2006
Awarded by the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Excellence in Advising – 2006 & 2007
Boston University Student Activities

The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship – 2005
Grant awarded in the binational program of educational exchanges between the United States and Iceland.

Herbert J. Hall Award – 2004
Awarded by the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy in recognition of professional contribution to occupational therapy.

Certificate of Appreciation – 2003
Salem State College

Award of Merit – 2003
Awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in recognition of extraordinary leadership in marketing, ergonomics, work, and management.

Board of Directors Award – 2003
Awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association in recognition of extraordinary service and outstanding advocacy in advancing the interests of occupational therapy among various publics.

Letter of Appreciation – 2002
Awarded by New England Occupational Therapy Education Council as a significant contributor to the occupational therapy clinical education process.

Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters – 2001
Awarded by Bay Path College Longmeadow, Massachusetts for exemplary leadership skills.

Doctor of Science (honorary degree) – 2000
Awarded by the University of Indianapolis in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of occupational therapy and for the development and promotion of the field to multiple external audiences.

Special Award, Department of Occupational Therapy – 2000
Awarded by the faculty of the New York Institute of Technology for an outstanding professional role model.

Certificate of Appreciation for Dedicated Service – 1998
Awarded by the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy.

Recognition of Achievement Award – 1997
Awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association for distinguished national and international leadership in work-related practice.

Golden Key National Honor Society – 1996
Honorary member

Service Award, AOTA  –  1993, 1994, 1997, & 2001

Certificate of Appreciation, – 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 & 2005
Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy

Fellow, American Occupational Therapy Association – 1988
Awarded this recognition for outstanding contributions to the profession.