Durham College (DC) Health Sciences professor Dr. Teresa Avvampato has been recognized by the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) with the 2025 OSOT Innovation and Impact Award, celebrating her leadership in advancing collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) across Canada.

This provincial award honours innovation in occupational therapy practice that demonstrates a positive impact on the profession, its practice, or the delivery of health-care services in Ontario. Dr. Avvampato was recognized for leading Canada’s first study in more than 20 years examining how OTs and OTAs learn to collaborate in their education and practice.

By engaging educators, students and practitioners across Ontario, her research team identified new opportunities to strengthen this essential partnership through accessible, evidence-informed resources and shared learning experiences. The project underscores that when OTs and OTAs collaborate effectively, Canadians benefit from more accessible, affordable and high-quality rehabilitation services.

“This award is a celebration of collaboration, where many have demonstrated the power of coming together to create change that none of us could achieve alone,” said Dr. Avvampato. “This work represents a collective commitment to making rehabilitation in Canada more accessible, equitable and impactful. My hope is that it continues to inspire partnerships that elevate our profession and the people we serve.”

“Dr. Avvampato’s achievement reflects the deep connection between professional expertise and education that defines DC,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice-President, Academic. “Her leadership and research advance her professional field while enriching our students’ classroom experience. When faculty bring their real-world insights into teaching, they help shape the next generation of skilled, compassionate health-care professionals who make a lasting difference in their communities.”

Dr. Avvampato’s research focuses on collaboration and education among health professionals in the health-care sector. She has shared her work provincially, nationally and internationally, including through her OT Conversations that Matter podcast and a recent webinar series on intraprofessional practice. A registered occupational therapist, she has practiced in the Durham Region since 2005, supporting clients in pediatrics, mental health, and private practice.