AHPA Extraordinary Service Award

This award recognizes the contributions an AHPA member has made in advancing the mission, vision, and goals of our organization.

Eligibility:
Only AHPA members are eligible

Governing Committee: 
AHPA membership and nominations committee chairs
Chaired by the AHPA president

Application:
Nominations put forward by the governing committee
Recipient chosen by the AHPA President

Presentation:
This award is given out at the CRA Annual Scientific meeting

Award:
$500.00

 

2026 Extraordinary Service Award Winner

Mary Ellen Marcon

Prior to her retirement, Mary Ellen had a remarkable clinical career as an ACPAC-trained Physiotherapist with Arthritis Society Canada, with 37 years of dedicated service to people living with arthritis in Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and surrounding communities. She was recognized with the AHPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. But what has been additionally inspiring is the chapter that followed her retirement.

Over the past four years, Mary Ellen has served as Treasurer for AHPA, and in doing so, has become a cornerstone of our organization. She holds the longest consecutive tenure on our current Board, and her steady leadership, reliability, and unwavering commitment have been invaluable.

Mary Ellen has guided our finances with exceptional care and integrity, working seamlessly with our bookkeeper and accountant, and ensuring that AHPA remains strong and sustainable. 

She has also contributed meaningfully across so many of our priority areas—supporting education initiatives like our pre-course and webinars, and contributing to important work such as our Perception of Value project and strategic planning.

Much of what Mary Ellen does happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere. Her work helps ensure that AHPA continues to thrive, grow, and stay true to our mission and vision.  She has truly come into her own as a leader at the Board table, and we are all better for it.

This award reflects Mary Ellen’s extraordinary service, professionalism, and deep commitment to AHPA. It is with extreme gratitude that we celebrate Mary Ellen Marcon as the recipient of the 2026 AHPA Extraordinary Service Award.

View Past Award Winners