Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: September 24, 2021
• Invested on: February 22, 2024

Helene Polatajko, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario

Helene Polatajko has revolutionized rehabilitation worldwide. Professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, this pre-eminent occupational therapist and researcher has advanced the curriculum on a national and global scale. She notably developed the CO-OP Approach, an innovative, cognitive-based method initially developed for children with coordination difficulties that enables people with neurological disorders to solve their performance problems and achieve their goals. Editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy for over a decade, she is an internationally sought-after speaker and a dedicated mentor to practitioners in the field.