Shirley Wells, UTRGV occupational therapy chair and professor, holds the Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 2024 from the American Occupational Therapy Association. The award was established in 2023 to honor Llorens, an occupational therapy pioneer. The purpose is to honor a member of AOTA who has utilized Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIJAB) principles to address the needs of marginalized, under-resourced, and/or underrepresented persons, groups, and populations, according to the AOTA website. Shown with Wells are College of Health Professions and Occupational Therapy faculty and staff: Gracie Jimenez (front row, from left), administrative assistant I; Dahlia Castillo, assistant professor; and Jennifer Ross, administrative assistant I. Middle row: Eva-Maria Anger, clinical assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator; Thelma Ochoa, clinical assistant professor; and Lou Rutigliano, assistant professor and doctoral capstone coordinator. Back row: Jack Ruelas, clinical associate professor; Wen-Pin Chang, assistant professor; John Luna, Department of Occupational Therapy program coordinator; and Roel Garcia, clinical assistant professor.
Aura Velasquez/THE RIDER
