Sharon D. Novalis, PhD, OTR/L, is an associate  professor in the Occupational Therapy Programs at Chatham University. Dr. Novalis has over 30  years of experience in the field of occupational therapy. She has worked in practice and leadership capacities, both as an occupational therapy assistant and as an occupational therapist. Dr. Novalis has presented at state conferences and local professional association meetings on the topics of suicide awareness, suicide prevention, and the role of occupational therapy. She has several scholarly works, including a continuing education article, on the topic of the role of occupational therapy in suicide awareness and working with survivors, which was published by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Novalis is a member of the Chatham University Mental Health Task Force, which, in part, has been responsible for the provision of educational materials to faculty on the topic of suicide awareness and prevention. Dr. Novalis has been invited to present the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention material to several university psychology classes and has also co-presented on this topic to a university-wide audience. Dr. Novalis is an active volunteer member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She has been the co-chair for the Out of the Darkness Campus at Chatham University, establishing the first walk in 2017. Dr. Novalis is a co-advisor of the Chatham University American Foundation for Suicide Prevention student organization which was established in 2022.   She has served as facilitator of a process group at the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day in Pittsburgh, 2017 and as a guest presenter in 2018. She continues her participation as a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in support of community awareness events and educational endeavors.  Dr. Novalis is the recipient of the 2022 Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association Occupational Therapist Award of Recognition primarily due to her work related to the role of occupational therapy in suicide awareness/reduction.