Shana Yolanda Laird was a remarkable occupational therapist whose dedication and compassion touched countless lives within the home health community. On February 10, 2025, Shana went for her usual walk to the Sawgrass Mills Mall in the city of Sunrise. While crossing the street, she was hit by a motorist and succumbed to her injuries a few hours later at the hospital. Her tragic passing has been felt deeply by all who knew her and benefitted from her work. Shana was not only a skilled professional who excelled in her field, but also a kind and caring individual who went above and beyond to improve the quality of life for her patients. Her empathy and tireless commitment served as an inspiration to her colleagues and patients alike, making a profound difference in our community.

In honor of Shana's outstanding contributions and to preserve her legacy of excellence, we propose the creation of an occupational therapy scholarship award in her name. This award would recognize and celebrate occupational therapists or students who exhibit the same level of exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication that Shana exemplified throughout her career. It will serve as a reminder of the lives she changed and inspire future therapists to uphold the standards she set.

Establishing the Shana Y. Laird Occupational Therapy Home Health Award not only commemorates Shana's life and achievements but also underscores the vital importance of this field in enhancing patient care and facilitating better health outcomes. This initiative will support professional excellence and innovation among occupational therapists, fueling passion within this community and encouraging others to follow in Shana's footsteps. It will also encourage prospective students to choose occupational therapy as a profession.

We call upon the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and all other relevant professional bodies and associations within the field of occupational therapy to support this initiative and help us honor Shana Laird's memory appropriately. By acknowledging her contributions through an award, we ensure that her impact continues to be felt by future generations of therapists and patients.

Please join us in supporting this cause by signing this petition to create the Shana Laird Occupational Therapy Home Health Award. Your signature can help turn this vision into a reality and ensure that Shana's legacy endures in the field she loved so dearly.