Elizabeth J. Yerxa, EdD, LHD (Hon), ScD (Hon), DMED (Hon), OTR, FAOTA, is highly regarded for her contributions to the philosophical base and values of occupational therapy, for her research on life satisfaction of people living with severe disabilities and the nature and management of time, and for her work initiating and advocating occupational science research. It was through her scholarly leadership that the University of Southern California initiated a doctoral program to support the study of occupational science. Yerxa was awarded the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Award in 1966, was named an AOTA Fellow in 1973, and received the AOTA Award of Merit, the highest award from the association, in 1987. Read an article by Yerxa about health and the human spirit.