Public Announcements

2026 NMOTA Membership Awards

Aug. 22, 2026

Gerri Duran Lifetime Achievement Award: Honoring a Lifelong Champion of Occupational Therapy - Sarah Porte, MOT OTR/L 

This year, we are proud to recognize an outstanding occupational therapy leader whose decades of service, advocacy, and dedication have left a lasting impact on the profession and the people of New Mexico. Through member nominations and a review by a two-member panel, Sarah Porte is the 2026 recipient of the NMOTA Gerri Duran Lifetime Achievement Award. This award results in a lifetime membership to the association and is granted periodically. 

A member of NMOTA since 2002, Sarah has devoted more than two decades to advancing occupational therapy through leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and service. Her commitment to NMOTA is reflected in an impressive record of volunteer leadership. 

NMOTA Service: 

  • President (2010–2014)

  • President-Elect (2009)

  • Vice President (2008–2010)

  • Secretary (2006–2008)

  • Chair, Policies and Procedures Ad Hoc Committee (2014–2016)

  • Newsletter Committee Chairperson (2005–2007)

  • Webmaster (2005–2006)

  • University of New Mexico Student Representative (2002–2004)

Through these roles, Sarah helped guide the association's growth, strengthen its operations, and support the advancement of occupational therapy practitioners across the state.

NM Statewide Service: 

In addition to her service within NMOTA, Sarah has played a vital role in protecting and advancing the profession through regulatory leadership. Since 2020, she has served on the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy and currently serves as Chair of the Board, helping ensure high standards of practice and public protection throughout New Mexico.

Fieldwork Education: 

Education and mentorship have also been central to Sarah’s professional career. For more than 20 years, she has served as a fieldwork educator for both occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students from across the Southwest. Although she does not keep a formal count of the students she has supervised, her influence has touched countless future practitioners who have benefited from her guidance, expertise, and commitment to excellence.

Clinical/Business Impact:

Among her many accomplishments, Sarah is a graduate of New Mexico Partners in Policymaking (2018), a nationally recognized leadership and advocacy program. She is also an Advanced-Level DIRFloortime® Certified Professional, bringing specialized expertise to her work with clients and families. Sarah has consistently promoted best practices and demonstrated the transformative value of occupational therapy. Sarah says that one of the achievements that brings her pride is letting the brilliance of occupational therapy shine in her own private practice, Therapy Solutions of New Mexico, LLC. Sara’s efforts have improved the lives of the individuals, families, and communities she serves.

Sarah’s contributions reflect the very best of our profession: service, leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to others. We are honored to celebrate her many contributions and the lasting legacy she continues to build for occupational therapy in New Mexico.

NMOTA Gail Stockman Award for Meritorious Service: Awarded to Karen Mestas-Harris, MOT, OTR/L, CEAS II

Karen Mestas-Harris has been nominated by two colleagues for the NMOTA Gail Stockman Award for Meritorious Service in 2026. Karen was the first OTP to take on the role of Practice Areas Chair, which she held from 2021 to 2023. Karen used her chair position to hold listening sessions across the state from OTPs in various practice settings. During her service on the NMOTA board, Karen co-chaired a committee to welcome AOTA president Alyson Stover with a multi-college event for OT and OTA students in 2024. Karen was the NM representative to the NBCOT for many years and has supported a positive relationship between the NBCOT and NMOTA. In addition to her formal service, Karen supports NMOTA conference and other events with grace and cheer to help activities for OTPs go smoothly. Karen's work in ergonomic practice was recognized in a 2021 AOTA Member spotlight. 

The awardee of the Gail Stockman Award for Meritorious Service receives a 1-year NMOTA membership.