Awards & Recognition

NARA IMPACT AWARD

The purpose of the NARA Impact Award is to recognize the talents of NARA members whose business demonstrates excellence in the creation of a program or product that has demonstrated a positive financial and/or clinical impact in their rehab business. Ideas, change, passion and trends are elements that drive innovation. The results can be in renewal, change, and/or reinvention that aids in further growth of/in the rehabilitation industry.

Selection Criteria

The Impact Award is based upon two broad criteria – the results of the innovation and the process by which it occurred.  The winner of the Impact Award must be a NARA member in good standing and the innovation itself must:

• Exemplify a new dimension of performance
• Have made a positive, demonstrable difference in the organization's business, e.g., financial, clinical, staffing, employee or customer satisfaction
• Be easily replicated or adapted for other rehab businesses

Applications are due late Summer each year. This award will be presented at the NARA Fall Conference. Those submitting applications do not need to be present; however, we do encourage you to attend and participate in the Impact Award session by presenting your application to attendees.
 

Past Impact Award Winners

2025: HealthPro Heritage: Activity + Wellness in Long Term Care

2022: Alinea Engage & Consonus Healthcare

2019: Encore Rehabilitation: Student Clinical Affiliation Program

2018: First Choice PT: Checkmate Compliance Solution

2017:  Mountain Land - Running Program

2016: PT Northwest - Data Driven Coaching Model

2015:  Access Rehab Centers - Home Based Outcomes Program

George G. Olsen Award

The purpose of this award is to show appreciation of the Expertise, Dedication and Leadership given by an individual within the National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies for Advocating and Advancing the Rehabilitation Therapy Industry. This award is in honor of George G. Olsen, ESQ who acted as NARA’s lobbyist and general counsel since its inception in 1978. Part winners include:

• 2025: Beth Payne, Independence Rehab
• 2024: Linda Riccio, Transitional Care Management
• 2023: Sabrena McCarley, Transitional Care Management
• 2022: Christie Covington, National Association of Rehab Providers & Agencies
• 2019: Mark McDavid, Seagrove Rehab Partners
• 2018: Kelly Cooney, Therapy Specialists
• 2017: Jerry Goldstein, Lake Centre for Rehab
• 2016: Access Rehab Centers
• 2015: Denise Norman, Transitional Care Management
• 2014: Nancy Beckley, Beckley & Associates
• 2013: Stephen Hunter, Intermountain Health
• 2012: Mary Wagner, Erickson Senior Living
• 2011: Sue Harris, Therapy Specialists
• 2010: Kennedy Hawkins, PT Northwest
• 2009: Mark Anderson, Mountain Land Rehab
• 2008: Ted Botens, Rehab Management