Professor Named to American Occupational Therapy Association’s Roster of Fellows

Leslie Bennett, OTD, OTR/L, associate professor and academic fieldwork coordinator for the graduate Occupational Therapy programs at Russell Sage College, has been named to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Roster of Fellows. 

The award recognizes Bennett’s contributions as an ethical leader shaping future occupational therapy practitioners. She will be formally honored at the association’s annual Inspire Conference, to be held in Philadelphia in April 2025.

Bennett teaches neuroscience and mental health courses and supervises fieldwork for students pursuing an occupational therapy master’s or occupational therapy doctorate at Russell Sage College. She frequently speaks and writes about medical ethics and productivity standards in clinical practice. She is the current chair of AOTA’s Ethics Commission, a role focused on educating and empowering association members to negotiate ethical conflicts. 

“Being named to the Roster of Fellows by the American Occupational Therapy Association is an incredible honor that reflects not just my commitment to advancing our profession, but also the collective efforts of those I’ve had the privilege to work with,” said Bennett. “Leading the Ethics Commission has deepened my dedication to fostering integrity and ethical practice, while my work in higher education has allowed me to inspire and support the next generation of occupational therapy professionals. This recognition affirms the importance of these roles and motivates me to continue contributing to the growth and excellence of our field.”