It was a milestone month for Kellie Sawyer, OTD, OTR/L, the associate program director and assistant professor of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), as she recently celebrated a historic graduation alongside a student-voted teaching award.
In June 2026, Sawyer became the first occupational therapist to graduate from the GW SMHS Master Teacher Leadership Development program. To cap off this achievement, she was also awarded the 2026 GW Outstanding Educator Golden Apple Award, an honor bestowed directly by her students for her mentorship and support.
The Master Teacher Leadership Development program is designed to sharpen teaching skills, cultivate educational leadership, and foster advanced scholarship. Sawyer’s cohort consisted of 13 elite healthcare professionals, including doctors of emergency medicine and orthopaedic surgery.
Senior Associate Dean for Education, Lorenzo Norris, MD, commended the graduates for their commitment and impact as leaders. “Finding the time to dedicate yourself to mastering your craft is significant and important… Graduates of this program emerge as definitive leaders in education, uniquely equipped to guide and inspire learners during pivotal moments,” said Norris.
Driven by a desire to elevate her OTD courses, Sawyer–who also serves on the department’s Equity Committee–focused her program scholarship on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her key contributions included:
- Primary Study: Developed and implemented a mixed-methods research project titled “Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Academic Learning for Occupational Therapy (IDEAL-OT) Program.”
- Collaborative Curriculum Design: Co-facilitated a learning activity on Equity, Diversity, and Social Accountability, which focused on the necessary components of developing inclusive and culturally responsive curricula.
“When I think about my career legacy, impact is the word that comes to mind,” said Sawyer. “Applying to this program was about positioning myself to have that impact... I appreciate all the course instructors who have affirmed me as I embrace the identity of an educator, scholar, and a leader.”
Sawyer also expressed deep gratitude to OTD program director Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA, department chair Ellen Costello, PT, PhD, her professional colleagues, her partner, and her students–whom she fondly refers to as "the squad," for their flexibility and support throughout her studies.
Sawyer's unique perspective and dedication left a lasting impression on both her faculty and peers.
“Meticulously prepared and quietly impactful, Kellie is a remarkably thoughtful, considerate, and receptive educator,” said Debra Herrmann, DHSc, MPH, PA-C, director of the Master Teacher Leadership Development program. “When Kellie speaks, her evocative additions consistently move discussions forward in meaningful ways... She has a warm demeanor and stands as a wonderful advocate for patients and learners whose needs are not always apparent at first glance.”
“Dr. Kells always goes the extra mile to ensure that students and staff are growing to their full potential. She is very attentive and determined to help the program and each student grow,” shared one OTD student.
For Sawyer, the 2026 Golden Apple Award is a reflection of a shared bond and a bright future. “Receiving this award demonstrated to me the respect my students have for my contributions to their development," Sawyer reflected. "And this award represents a first step in my ability to have a lasting impact on the students I will serve for many years to come.”
Sawyer’s research study “Exploring Implicit Bias in Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Study of Practitioner Awareness and Strategies for Change,” completed alongside Patrick Corr, EdD, was recently published in December 2025.
