For Jennifer Klein, receiving the Lorna Reimer Legacy Award in 2024 was both a meaningful recognition of her leadership style and an encouragement to continue building connection and collaboration through her work in occupational therapy. A graduate of McMaster University’s occupational therapy program in 1997, Jennifer has spent her career supporting healthcare teams, quality improvement initiatives, and client-centred care across rehabilitation settings.
Today, Jennifer works as a Healthcare Improvement Specialist at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, where she collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on quality improvement, program evaluation, knowledge translation, and clinical research initiatives.
The impact of the COTF Lorna Reimer Legacy Award
Receiving the scholarship was especially meaningful because it reflected the values Jennifer prioritizes most in her work and leadership approach.
“Being awarded a leadership scholarship was especially exciting because it highlighted what I value most: building genuine relationships, creating trust, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, and making sure that the work we do together is both meaningful and enjoyable.”
For Jennifer, the recognition reinforced the importance of leading with authenticity, connection, and compassion.
“It was really special to know that this approach resonated with others. It’s encouraged me to keep leading with my heart, spending the time to create connections, and (of course) have fun along the way.”
Current focus in occupational therapy
Jennifer’s current work focuses on supporting healthcare teams and advancing improvement initiatives across the hospital system. She describes her role as varied and collaborative, with opportunities to contribute across many areas of care and research.
Advice for future COTF scholarship applicants
Jennifer encourages future occupational therapy students and professionals to apply for COTF scholarships and take advantage of the opportunities they provide.
“I would strongly encourage future students to apply for COTF scholarships. These awards are more than financial support—they are recognition of hard work and the potential to make a difference in occupational therapy.”
She also notes that scholarships can open doors to future opportunities and recognition throughout a professional journey, saying that in her experience, one award often leads to another.
What motivates her work in occupational therapy
For Jennifer, one of the most rewarding aspects of occupational therapy is the creativity, variety, and client-centered nature of the profession.
“What I love most about being an occupational therapist is the incredible variety and creativity the role brings. No two days are the same, and I get to work in such a wide range of settings and situations.”
She especially values helping people work toward goals that are personally meaningful to them.
“I especially love how client-centred it is—everything we do is grounded in what matters most to the person in front of us. Helping people reach their goals in ways that are meaningful to them is both inspiring and energizing.”
Jennifer also enjoys the creative problem-solving that occupational therapists bring to their work every day. As she says, “That’s where the real fun begins!”
Life beyond work
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors and seeking new adventures through travel and hiking. Whether exploring international destinations or spending time in Edmonton’s river valley, nature plays an important role in helping her recharge and stay connected. She enjoys biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and swimming, and is currently preparing for a four-month hiking trip through Chile and Argentina with her partner, with a focus on exploring the Patagonia region.