The mission of the International OCD Foundation — to ensure that no one affected by OCD or related disorders suffers alone — requires the collaboration and dedication of countless individuals and professionals around the world. Each year, the IOCDF is honored to recognize a few of these contributors who have gone above and beyond to inspire hope, build community, and move us closer to a world where everyone has access to effective support and care.
These awards will be presented at the 31st Annual OCD Conference, sponsored by OCD Institute Texas, on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
2026 Career Achievement Award Winner: Sabine Wilhelm, PhD
Highlighting the significant and notable contributions of a professional in the field of OCD and related disorders.
Sabine Wilhelm, PhD, is the Donovan-Chien Family Endowed Professor at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Psychology at Mass General Brigham. She directs both the Center for OCD and Related Disorders and the Center for Digital Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Wilhelm’s work leverages AI and technology to improve mental health care globally, focusing on developing personalized, scalable digital treatments. She has authored 375 publications and nine books. She has received major awards, including the NAMI Scientific Research Award and the Peter Ranney Innovation Award from the World Medical Innovation Forum. Dr. Wilhelm is the outgoing Chair of the IOCDF Scientific & Clinical Advisory Council after serving since 2023, and she has served on numerous committees to support the Foundation’s work to advance research and resources for OCD and related disorders.
2026 Patricia Perkins Service Award Winner: Aureen Wagner, PhD
Honors any professional or IOCDF member who has stood out as a long-time (10+ years) and active contributor to the IOCDF in multiple ways. This award is named after Patricia Perkins, IOCDF co-founder, past president of the Board of Directors, and previous executive director.
Winner Bio: Aureen Pinto Wagner, PhD, has been involved with the International OCD Foundation since 1992 and a frequent presenter at its conferences and programs for families, clinicians, and youth. She serves on the IOCDF’s Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board and has been faculty with the Behavior Therapy Training Institute since 2001.
Dedicated to expanding access to evidence-based OCD treatment, Dr. Wagner provides clinician training, workshops, and consultation nationwide. She is the author of the professional treatment manual Treatment of OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Professional’s Kit and several award-winning books for families, including “Up and Down the Worry Hill: A Children’s Book about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and its Treatment,” “What to do when your Child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strategies and Solutions” and “Worried No More: Help and Hope for Anxious Children.”
At The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Wagner provides in-person and telehealth treatment for children, adolescents, and adults with OCD, anxiety, and related conditions, along with parenting support for families.
2026 Hero Award Winner: Stephen Smith
Recognizes any individual that has stood out as a particularly effective advocate for OCD and related disorders or who helped raise awareness of these disorders.
Stephen Smith is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NOCD, the world’s largest OCD-specialty treatment provider for both adults and children. After emerging from a personal struggle with undiagnosed OCD and experiencing the success of Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) therapy first-hand, Stephen made it his mission to transform the behavioral health treatment system for people with OCD and related conditions. Under his leadership, NOCD has done that. NOCD drives OCD awareness campaigns that reach millions of people each year, cares for hundreds of thousands of people with OCD, and is contracted to serve more than 140 million commercial lives nationally.
2026 Youth Hero Award Winner: Gabriella Lee
Recognizes any youth (under 18) that has stood out as a particularly effective advocate for OCD and related disorders or who helped raise awareness of these disorders. This award is presented by UNSTUCK: an OCD kids movie.
Gabriella Chaeyoon Lee is a junior at Great Oak High School in California who is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, particularly surrounding OCD. Inspired by her personal connection to OCD through her mother’s diagnosis, she actively works to reduce stigma and support others through her school club and independent initiatives. She is passionate about creating safe and inclusive spaces where individuals feel understood and supported. She hopes to continue her advocacy and contribute to meaningful change in mental health communities.
2026 Illumination Award Winner: Tiffany Jenkins
Honors media personalities who have represented OCD or related disorders in a respectful, accurate, and appropriate way, or who have challenged stereotypes and helped to fight stigma around mental health issues.
Tiffany Jenkins is a comedian, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host with a combined social media following of over 9 million and more than one billion video views worldwide.
While widely recognized for her relatable and candid comedy, Tiffany is deeply committed to raising awareness around mental health and addiction. Drawing from her own lived experience in recovery, she travels across the United States speaking at high schools, correctional facilities, treatment centers, and conferences, where she delivers impactful, honest conversations that resonate with diverse audiences.
Above all, Tiffany is a devoted mother, bringing authenticity, resilience, and humor into both her work and her everyday life.
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