[YUKON, OK, December 7, 2021] When sisters share a love of occupational therapy, service and leadership, awards are bound to follow. 

Oklahoma Pediatric Therapy Center (OPTC), a leader in outpatient pediatric therapy services, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Employee Star Awards. This annual award ceremony is held to recognize OPTC team members that have gone above and beyond in their role at OPTC. 

Among the ten award winners are Hinton natives Candy McLeister, OTR/L and Cady Craddick, OTR/L. McLeister is the recipient of the 2021 MVP award and  Craddick is the recipient of the 2021 Gold Star Occupational Therapy Department Award.

McLeister helps lead the organization as the Chief Operating Officer. She graduated from Hinton High school in 2006 and moved on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Sciences from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Candy has certification in Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears and sensory feeding.

Craddick is the Occupational Therapy Manager for the company’s newest location in El Reno, OK. Craddick was a member of the very first Pre-K class in Hinton and graduated from Hinton High School in 2013. She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2017 and completed her Master of Occupational Therapy from OUHSC college of Allied Health in 2020.

McCliester and Craddick are the daughters of Hinton residents Scott and Marsha Craddick, and granddaughters of Jimmy and Millie Craddick, and Marshall and Betty Ingram. 

Award recipients include OPTC treating therapists, administrative team members and support staff.  Each recipient is nominated by OPTC CEO’s Deanna Williams and Amanda Housh, Directors and fellow team members. 

“Our staff members are the heartbeat of this organization. They all have very unique gifts and talents,” said Deanna Williams, CEO/Co-founder. “We believe our job as owners of the company is to empower our team to fulfill their God-given callings to serve others.”

The ten award recipients were recognized and are listed below:

2021 MVP: Candy McLeister

2021 New Hire of the Year: Rita McCollum

2021 Co-Worker of the Year- Yukon Behavioral Therapy Center:

Angela Schmidt

2021 Co-Worker of the Year- North OKC Therapy Center:

Catherine Brownen, DPT

2021 Co-Worker of the Year- Yukon Speech, PT & OT Center:

CyCy Woods

2021 Gold Star Administration Department Award:

Angela Schmidt

2021 Gold Star Occupational Therapy Department Award:

Cady Craddick, OTR/L

2021 Gold Star Speech Therapy Department Award:

Gina Garriot, CCC-SLP

2021 Gold Star Physical Therapy Department Award:

Abby Harris, DPT

2021 Gold Star Behavioral Therapy Department Award:
Alexa Richardson, BCBA

Each winner received a plaque of achievement and recognition on the company website. More information about OPTC can be found at optcCARES.com and their Facebook and Instagram pages.