The Award of Merit is the highest honor given by the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association; it recognizes OT’s who have made outstanding contributions to occupational therapy scholarship and practice. This year, Lauren Carter-Smith was the deserving recipient. She was nominated by a co-worker, who said, “Enough cannot be said about what Lauren does for the OT community! She inspires all around her to do more, be more and be the best OT’s. She leads the American Occupational Therapy clinical instructor certification course in Virginia, and is a long term supporter of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association (VOTA), serving in several leadership roles. She has been a lecturer and lab instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University, and presented at VOTA conferences. She manages students, and embodies how a clinical instructor should mentor their students, especially those struggling in fieldwork. And she passionate about community service, and serves as Co-Director the Brain Injury Association of Virginia’s Camp Bruce McCoy.” BIAV has know Lauren since she was a OT student at James Madison University. She signed on to work at Camp Bruce McCoy 20 years ago, and has never left. Through marriage, the birth of two children, and changing jobs, she has been absolutely committed to Camp and has figured out ways to make it work for her, her family and her career. We could not be prouder or more grateful to her, nor can we think of anyone more deserving for this honor. Congratulations Lauren!