Muriel Driver Memorial Lectureship Award
This lectureship was established as a memorial to Muriel Driver in honour of her many significant contributions to the profession of occupational therapy, from the time of her graduation from the University of Toronto in 1941 until her death in 1972. A brief résumé will give some idea of Muriel’s full and varied career, which began in 1941 when she became a home service therapist at the Toronto Curative workshop.
In 1943 Muriel enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, serving first as sole therapist at the Hamilton Military Hospital. This was followed by an overseas posting to the 22nd Canadian General Hospital in the United Kingdom as charge occupational therapist. Returning to Canada, she served at the Montreal Military Hospital as assistant to the charge therapist.
Following discharge from the Army in 1946, Muriel organized the first occupational therapy department at Runnymede Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Toronto, and in 1948 she became supervisor of the occupational therapy department at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. During her years at this hospital, Muriel attended the Warm Springs Foundation in Georgia and was awarded the post-graduate certificate in neuro-muscular disorders.
In 1954 Muriel returned to Warm Springs as Director of Occupational Therapy and Instructor in the Post-Graduate School. Muriel accepted the challenge of organizing and directing the special Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) course in occupational therapy at Kingston in 1959 and served as Director of the School throughout its existence. When Queen’s University established the occupational therapy educational program in 1967, Muriel was appointed Senior Lecturer, and at the time of her death in 1972 she was Assistant Professor and Senior Teacher in the Occupational Therapy Programme, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario.
Muriel gave many years of service to the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, as a member of various committees, as chairman of several including the Education Committee, and as an elected member of the Board of Directors. As the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, she represented Canada on its Council and during part of her term served as Chairman of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Publications Committee.
In addition to these contributions, she was the author of numerous articles published in the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy and in the journals of other health-related professions. Her enthusiasm for the advancement of occupational therapy and the stimulation which she provided were sources of inspiration of students, therapists and personal friends.
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists will honour a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession through research, education and the practice of occupational therapy by presenting the individual with the Muriel Driver Memorial Lectureship Award.
Read the Collection of Muriel Driver Memorial Lectures – Sage Website
Submit a nomination
Award nomination deadline is December 1st.Award Recipients
2020 Award Recipient
Louise Demers
Louise Demers is recognized for her outstanding contributions to the profession of occupational therapy through her leadership at the Université de Montréal and in the AGE-WELL project (Aging gracefully across Environments using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement and Long Life), teaching, research, and influence on OT clinical practice. Her contributions are numerous, diverse and reflect her ongoing engagement to advance the profession and quality of life for individuals.
Past Recipients
Susan Forwell 2018 |
Deborah Laliberte Rudman 2019 |
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Lili Liu 2017 |
Karen Whalley Hammell 2016 |
Isabelle Gélinas 2015 |
Bonnie Kirsh 2014 |
Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz |
Marcia Finlayson 2012 |
Juliette (Archie) Cooper 2011 |
Lori Letts 2010 |
Annette Majnemer 2009 |
Nicol Korner-Bitensky 2008 |
Terry Krupa 2007 |
Mary Egan 2006 |
Jan Miller Polgar 2005 |
Johanne Desrosiers 2004 |
Catherine Backman 2003 |
Judith Friedland 2002 |
Rachel Thibeault 2001 |
Virginia Fearing 2000 |
Mary Ann McColl 1999 |
Muriel Westmorland 1998 |
Marie Gage 1996 |
Huguette Picard 1993 |
Elizabeth Townsend 1992 |
Helene Polatajko 1991 |
Mary Law 1990 |
Anne Carswell-Opzoomer 1989 |
Margaret Tompson 1988 |
Sue Baptiste 1987 |
Joanne Stan 1986 |
Thelma Gill Sumsion 1985 |
Sharon Brintnell 1984 |
Barbara Saunders 1983 |
Andrée Forget 1982 |
Mary Judd 1981 |
Isobel Robinson 1980 |
Elizabeth B. Bell 1979 |
Gail Gilewich 1978 |
Barbara J. O’Shea 1976 |
Margaret Hood 1975 |
Joy (Huston) Bassett 1974 |