Last week, I represented ASHT at the 95th Annual Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). It was reported that more than 9,100 attendees converged on the Music City Center in Nashville, TN – the highest attendance to date, according to AOTA. Taking into account that there were about 1,100 exhibitors, there were 8,000 attendees, of which 40% were students. The future looks bright for the OT profession based on the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism I observed from the students and other attendees. About 10% of the students stopped by the ASHT booth to learn more about ASHT and hand therapy. If you do not want to do the math, there will be more than 300 newly licensed OTs looking for mentorship in hand therapy in the next year or two. Consider paying it forward to help educate and train the next generation of CHTs!
As you know, I am a PT and have attended about 25 conferences sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) during my 30-year career. Similar to APTA, this year’s AOTA conference had a few educational sessions and posters related to hand therapy. With the diversity of practice in OT and PT, there are so many areas of practice that need to be represented at an annual conference. No one should expect to find as much content related to hand therapy as you would find at the ASHT Annual Meeting (hint – hope to see you in Denver); however, the 95th AOTA Annual Conference was packed with educational sessions on leadership, professional values, health promotion and wellness, advocacy, using social media to promote practice and exploring the value of occupational therapy in line with the triple aim of healthcare reform – improving the patient experience, lowering costs and optimizing health of populations. About 85% of the ASHT membership holds an occupational therapy credential, so I think it is important that ASHT members stay connected to AOTA. I am confident that the volunteer leaders of AOTA are well informed and committed to OT professionals across all areas of practice, including hand therapy.
April is not only OT month, but it is also National Volunteer Month. It is a month to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the occupational therapy members of ASHT that were recognized at the AOTA Conference last week:
Joann Keller, OTD, OTR/L, CHT received the Lindy Boggs Award for her contributions to advocacy – promoting OT practice through legislative, regulatory and health policy efforts.
Mariann Moran, OTD, OTR/L, CHT received the Recognition of Achievement Award for her contributions to the occupational therapy practice in New Jersey, especially in hand therapy.
To learn more about these professional awards please visit the AOTA Awards Nomination page.
I would also like to congratulate our ASHT members who presented at the AOTA conference, especially past president, Jerry Coverdale, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, and Legislation & Reimbursement Division member, Sarah Wilson, MS, OTR/L, CHT, CLT for the valuable presentation on “How the Environment and Use of Occupation in the Hand Clinic Impacts Our Patient Population.” I came home with many practical tips to incorporate into my clinic practice.
Other ASHT members who presented or contributed to posters included:
Susan Emerson, MEd, OTR, CHT, CEES
Denise Finch, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Donna Breger Stanton, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, FAOTA
Deborah Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Dianna Lunsford, OTD, M.Ed., OTR/L, CHT
Peter Hershey, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Pamela Karp, OTR/L, CHT
Jenny Dorich, MBA, OTR/L, CHT
Phyllis Ross, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT
Dana Lingle, MHS, OTR/L, CHT
Mary Helen Ferris, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Patricia Siegel, OTD, CHT
Shrikant Chinchalker, M.Th.O, BSc.OT, OTR, CHT
Corey McGee, PhD(C), OTR/L, CHT
Sandy Wagoner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Robin Parish, MA, OTR/L, CHT
Cynthia Cooper, MFA, MA, OTR/L, CHT
Shawn C Roll, PhD, OTR/L, CWCE, RMSK
Erika Christine Petersen, MS, OTR/L
In addition to the contribution of these members, another 20 OT, CHTs contributed to the 95th AOTA Annual Conference as either a speaker or as a poster presenter. Thank you for sharing your expertise in hand therapy.
Last week, several ASHT members, mostly OTs, took their hand therapy practice global by working in Guatemala on a medical mission with the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation, including Secretary Treasurer-Elect, Kristin Valdes, OTD, OTR, CHT. The pictures and videos they have shared on social media show they are transforming lives and demonstrating the value of hand therapy.
Happy OT Month! As hand therapy professionals, we share our passion for hand therapy, but April is your month to shine. You have a few days left to contribute to the celebration! Enjoy!
Jane Fedorczyk, PT, PhD, CHT, ATC, and ASHT Executive Director Gene Terry, CAE, attended the AOTA President’s Tea, and engaged in conversation with the AOTA leadership and other international leaders in occupational therapy. Photo courtesy of AOTA