We are excited to announce that Associate Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor Jeff Boniface has received the 2025 CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award!
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – British Columbia confers this award to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession of Occupational Therapy throughout their career. This award speaks to Jeff’s commitment, dedication and passion for the field of OT. Jeff has guided the educational journeys of countless OT students through his role as a Fieldwork Coordinator, and has had a long standing commitment to classroom instruction and developing our OT curriculum. As a co-founder of the Occupational Therapy Climate Action Network (OT-CAN), Jeff envisions a global OT community that works together in taking meaningful action in tackling climate change. We recently interviewed Jeff to learn more about his passion for education and the field of OT.
You have been practicing OT for almost three decades now. How did your journey as an OT begin? What first drew you to the profession?
My journey into occupational therapy began at McMaster University, where I was pursuing a Bachelor of Physical Education Honours degree. I had always been drawn to sports and outdoor activities, so naturally, I thought physiotherapy would be a logical next step. I was also interested in teaching and had a particular interest in adapted physical education. It was through conversations with peers in my program that I first heard about occupational therapy. Intrigued, I began to volunteer and shadow OTs in different practice settings. I was especially drawn to the practical, applied, and functional ways OTs supported clients in achieving their rehabilitation goals.
I’ll never forget my first OT class, where Dr. Sue Baptiste—one of many mentors I’ve been fortunate to learn from—stood alongside a physiotherapy faculty member and explained the difference between the professions. “If someone has an impairment limiting arm movement,” she said, “a physiotherapist will help them regain that movement. An occupational therapist will put a drink in their hand and make it functional.” It was at that moment I knew I had chosen the right path.
In part, this award recognizes your impact on education. What has one of your most rewarding experiences as a fieldwork coordinator been?
I’ve had the privilege of supporting countless students through their occupational therapy education journeys, and fieldwork has always held a special place in my heart—it’s where the rubber truly hits the road. My teaching philosophy is rooted in equity, justice, inclusion, diversity, participatory learning, curiosity, humility, and joy. These values have guided me across professional and personal domains, and they come to life most vividly during fieldwork.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been witnessing students grow—not just in their clinical skills, but in their critical reflexivity, cultural humility, and awareness of their social and environmental responsibilities. I’ve had the opportunity to support students locally, nationally, and internationally. One student’s reflection from an international placement particularly stands out to me:
“Moments like these remind me how powerful meaningful occupation can be. It was truly special to see the way it brought people together, lifted spirits, and created joy… I’m truly thankful for this unforgettable experience (Lauren Saletsky, 2025).”
That kind of reflection reinforces what we do—and why this work matters so deeply.
You also have a long history of classroom instruction with the Department. How have your classroom instruction and your clinical practice played off of each other?
My clinical and teaching experiences are in constant dialogue with each other. One of the most pivotal decisions in my career was returning to school after two decades of clinical practice to pursue a Master of Science in Rehabilitation at UBC. That experience not only reinforced my commitment to lifelong learning but also reignited my passion for education.
My early exposure to adapted physical education highlighted the importance of inclusion and belonging, which I’ve carried into my work as an OT and educator. My teaching philosophy—which emphasizes evidence-informed practice, critical pedagogy, and the joy of learning—has evolved with each student cohort and every teaching moment. Being a father, coach, and mentor has also shaped how I approach education: with humility, a willingness to grow, and the drive to inspire others to follow their own passions.
As Nelson Mandela said, “One of the most difficult things is not to change society — but to change yourself.” That quote continues to challenge and guide me in designing meaningful learning experiences.
Some people may be unaware that you are the co-founder of The Climate Action Network. What is the Network’s mission, and how would you characterize its implications for OT?
The Occupational Therapy Climate Action Network (OT-CAN), co-founded by my life partner Giovanna Boniface and me, was launched on Earth Day 2023. Along with Nicola Schaan, Joy Du, and other members, our mission is to inspire and accelerate climate action across the global OT community. We are a grassroots network of occupational therapists, assistants, and allies working to support change at individual, organizational, community, and systemic levels.
We envision a global OT community empowered to take meaningful climate action—through decarbonization, mitigation, adaptation, and building resilience. Climate change is an occupational justice issue. It shapes where and how people live, work, and engage in their daily lives. As OTs, we have a responsibility to address these challenges and to promote sustainability, equity, and community resilience in our practices. OT-CAN is about enabling knowledge sharing, fostering allyship, and connecting people who are ready to act now.
Finally, although this award recognizes your innovation in practice, we do not want to ask you to brag. What are some of the biggest innovations or changes that you have seen in OT practice more broadly since you first started practicing?
One of the most profound and necessary shifts I’ve seen is the profession’s growing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and to recognizing and addressing OT’s colonial history. There has been a collective movement to disrupt oppressive systems, honour traditional knowledge, and foster collaborative, inclusive practices that value many voices and perspectives.
It has been an honour to collaborate with others in challenging the status quo and advocating for collective transformation. The willingness to unlearn and relearn, and to question how we do things and why, is at the heart of innovative OT practice. Learning from global practices and community-led approaches continues to inform and inspire the way I view the profession—and the future it holds.
Photo Credits: Headshot photo courtesy of Jeff Boniface