Tracy Jirikowic, PhD, OTR/L FAOTA, has received the Kathryn M. Yorkston, PhD Award for Excellence in Student/Trainee Mentorship. This award is presented annually to a faculty member in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to mentoring students and trainees. This award recognizes mentors who invest significant time and effort in guiding, advising, and supporting their mentees, contributing to their academic and professional growth. Dr. Jirikowic exemplifies the spirit of this award. She is a professor and director of the Division of Occupational Therapy, co-director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine program, and associate chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Dr. Jirikowic is an integral and trusted team member who shows commitment to inclusive teaching and creates an impact with outstanding contributions to the department, including mentoring and supporting students.
“This was an unexpected surprise, and I am honored to be selected for the award. I want to express gratitude for the wonderful mentors that I have had during my career and for the passion, dedication, and excellence that our students bring to our work and our programs,” says Dr. Jirikowic.
Dr. Jirikowic is an extraordinary educator who dedicates countless hours and endless energy to teaching, guiding, advising, and paving the way for students and trainees with diverse learning styles and abilities. She applies thoughtful and innovative strategies to interact with faculty, students, and trainees. Thus, Dr. Jirikowic simultaneously fostered an environment of inclusion, curiosity, and mutual respect within the system.
“Tracy's key strengths are her awareness and sensitivity to the needs of her students. I have witnessed her navigate some tough situations and dynamics with students. She is extremely mindful of respecting and accommodating students' perspectives and positions while juggling the programs' needs, standards, and requirements. She is very astute at providing guidance and support in a manner that is respectful to all interested parties,” says Carolyn Baylor, PhD, CCC-SLP, who is co-director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program alongside Dr. Jirikowic, as well as the Vice Chair for Academic Programs in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Dr. Jirikowic has shown sustained dedication to mentoring over a long period and has taken on extra duties or responsibilities, particularly at a time of considerable need to help at a particularly pivotal moment either in the department or in a mentee’s trajectory.
“Tracy has been a guiding presence throughout my academic journey. She was part of the mentoring team during my first student research assistant position, a member of my dissertation committee, and now serves as a mentor in my mentorship of PhD students and a senior research collaborator. Tracy has always been a patient, gentle, steady, consistent mentor. She supports me in various ways, thoughtfully adjusting to my needs, capacities, and evolving roles. I always feel safe sharing my uncertainties and struggles with her, knowing I can move forward without ever feeling pressured,” Lin-Ya Hsu, current faculty and former mentee.
Several of her mentees commented on how she not only thoughtfully and expertly mentored them through their graduate studies but also continued to guide in their faculty roles.
“I am so grateful for Tracy’s steadfast support, encouragement, and guidance both during my PhD and now in my faculty role. Knowing she is there whenever I need professional advice or enter unchartered territory is huge and has given me the confidence to try new things and push myself out of my comfort zone. I am so appreciative of her wisdom, kindness, generosity, and ongoing contribution to my professional growth. Thank you, Tracy!,” Careline Umeda, former PhD student.
Dr. Jirikowic has shown excellence in mentoring through advancing innovations in education and mentorship while embodying the interprofessional mission of rehabilitation, demonstrating efforts to mentor across disciplines for the benefit of students, the department, and the field of rehabilitation. This award was presented at the 2025 Justus F. Lehmann Symposium on May 9, 2025.
About the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Mentoring Awards
Mentorship of students, trainees, and faculty is the foundation of academic medicine. Mentors are people who invest time, energy, and resources in the next generation of rehabilitation professionals and faculty. Mentors not only foster the professional development and success of individual mentees but also contribute to the overall strength and advancement of rehabilitation medicine. A Mentoring Awards Program was launched in 2023 to recognize excellence in mentorship in the UW Medicine Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Each year, three awards are presented to faculty members:
- Kathryn M. Yorkston Award for Excellence in Student / Trainee Mentorship
- Joseph M. Czerniecki, MD, Award for Excellence in Clinician-Scientist Mentorship
- Teresa L. Massagli, MD, Award for Excellence in Mentorship of Clinicians
The awards are presented each year at the annual Justus F. Lehmann Symposium.