Dr. Beth Cardell Receives 2026 UOTA Eunice Chen Mentorship Award
At a Glance
- Beth Cardell, PhD, received the 2026 UOTA Eunice Chen Mentorship Award.
- Cardell was recognized for exceptional mentorship, leadership, and statewide impact on occupational therapy practice and education.
- Her work at the University of Utah focuses on adult rehabilitation, functional cognition, interprofessional education, and student success.
Beth Cardell, PhD, lecturer, researcher, clinician, and program director with the Department of Occupational & Recreational Therapies, has received the 2026 UOTA Eunice Chen Mentorship Award. The award recognizes an occupational therapy professional who has demonstrated excellence in mentorship related to the profession of occupational therapy in Utah.
Cardell was honored for providing extensive mentorship and staff education on functional cognitive impairments, intervention strategies, and documentation best practices. Her leadership has elevated clinical knowledge and practice standards across occupational therapy teams, and her client-centered, evidence-based mentorship has helped shape hundreds of OT practitioners throughout Utah. She was also recognized for her professionalism, long-term dedication to the profession, and commitment to advancing occupational therapy statewide.
Colleagues described Cardell as a phenomenal teacher, mentor, and program director whose leadership supported a flawless program accreditation review. She received numerous nominations from practitioners across Utah, reflecting the broad impact of her mentorship and leadership throughout the profession.
Cardell has worked as an occupational therapist for more than 30 years. Her teaching at the University of Utah focuses on assessment and treatment of adult populations, interprofessional education, functional cognition, and student success. The focus of her clinical practice has primarily been the treatment of adults with neurological injuries, with much of her career centered in community-based practice. She has a particular interest in acquired brain injury and the effects chronic disabilities can have on participation and health. Cardell currently treats clients with high-functioning cognitive deficits at the Life Skills Clinic.
