advocating, aligning and advancing...3. delineate role for ot practitioners in case management for...
TRANSCRIPT
PRESIDENT’S CORNER MARY SHOTWELL, PHD, OT/L, FAOTA
GOTA NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015
. . .Advoca t ing , A l i gn ing and Advanc ing
Providing News, Education, and Networking to OTs. OTAs, and Students
PURPOSE
GOTA exists to serve as a resource for members, consumers, practitioners and policy makers related to the practice of occupational therapy in the State of Georgia.
MISSION
• Advocating for the heath of the public
• Aligning practitioners, consumers and other stakeholders
• Advancing the practice of occupational therapy
PUBLISHER Georgia Occupational Therapy Association Executive Office
Editor: Traci Swartz, OTD, OTR/L
Georgia Occupational Therapy Association 1260 Winchester Parkway, SE Suite 205Smyrna, GA 30080-6546 P | 770.435.5910 F | 770.433.2907
Email [email protected] Website www.gaota.com
Facebook: GOTA Facebook
Happy Occupational Therapy Month from Georgia Occupational Therapy Association. One of AOTA’s vision’s for 2017 was to be “widely recognized” and I knew last week when I saw Occupational Therapy being recognized as a Jeopardy Category, that we had “hit the big time”! But then I had a “rebound” sad moment when I realized that Jeopardy is based on Trivia. When discussing this with my brother, an avid Jeopardy fan, he stated that Jeopardy is not mere trivia, it’s “knowledge”, so I began to think, what am I doing on a daily basis to let people gain “knowledge” about occupational therapy? Obviously, I teach at a university, so my job requires that I educate students, but we all need to think about
how we are publicizing our profession and all that it has to offer. Are you sharing your knowledge of Occupational Therapy in your children’s schools, faith communities, or your neighborhood? Do local and statewide politicians know the many ways in which occupational therapy can serve people of all ages? What are we doing to promote our profession in our daily interactions with the public? Obviously many of us are holding events in our facilities or within our agencies, and this is a good start, but typically these people have some idea of what OT might be, but we need to think beyond our immediate surroundings. I challenge each of you to keep a notebook and record your interactions by telling at least one “stranger” about OT per month between now and next April. Who knows what a firestorm we might create? OT might not only be on Jeopardy, but on Shark Tank, American Idol, and even House of Cards (well maybe not that show….LOL).
In celebration of OT Month, thank “Other Therapists”, those OT’s that have gone before us to make our paths easier. Georgia has numerous OT’s who have paved our way since the start of our organization in 1978 including: Barbara E. Grant, Chris Bosonetto-Doane, Linda Stephens, Pat Pratt, Dave Clark, Nancy Prendergast, Saburi Imara, Ginny Allen, and Jan Martin, to name a few who were around in the “beginning” of our association. Please take a minute to recall and thank OT’s who have made a difference in your career and our profession at large. None of us walks alone, so during OT month, take time to also thank “Other Therapists”- OT’s, PT’s, SLP’s, TR’s and other professionals who make our job rewarding through collaboration. Occupational Therapy continues to be rated (along with many other health professions) as one of the “happiest” professions and many other professionals would love to have the job satisfaction we enjoy. Take this month to revel in this blessing to have a happy career that makes a difference in the everyday lives of our clients! Happy OT Month, Friends!
1 - President’s Corner
2 - AOTA RA
3 - AOTA Conference
4 - GOTA Conference
4 - Awards and Scholarship
5-8 - OT & OTA Program News
8 - Sensory-Social Camp
9 - Regional Meetings & Events
9 - CE Committee
10 - GOTA Executive Board
10 - Upcoming Meetings & Events
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE 2
The spring in person RA meeting will be addressing the following
four motions:
1. OT License Portability and Compacts: Issues important to
traveling OTs/OTAs, national disasters or emergencies requiring
temporary OT intervention and Telehealth. Currently, OTs and
OTAs need a license for each state they practice in. Other
disciplines including Nursing, PT, and Emergency Medical
Services and NBCOT are discussing importance of these issues.
Laws and regulations regarding licensing, including renewal
timing and required continuing education are different in each
state.
2. Request for Military Representative position on the RA: Currently not practical for Military OT/OTA to serve on RA due
to AOTA requirement for one year residency in state before
running for RA position and two year RA term since military
personnel frequently move every two to three years.
Department of Defense standards affect OT particularly in areas
of mental health and areas of developing research in
rehabilitation technologies.
3. Delineate role for OT Practitioners in Case Management for OT in primary care and Mental Health This would explore
gaps in OT practice in the area of case management, including
what steps are needed to position for practice in case
management. This motion may lead to creation of a position
paper on OT practitioners in case management.
4. Formal Statement on Assistive Technology and Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and OT’ Practitioners role in this area. OT practitioners are involved in physical and functional
evaluations, setting plan of care with identified therapeutic
goals, identifying expected outcomes, identifying person-to
technology feature match, considering home and community
environments, and preparing clinical justification and medical
documentation to facilitate reimbursement for clients. OTs and
OTAs offer a unique perspective to address and prevent body
structure and functional limitation and maintain or increase
clients’ activity and participation in society. OT practitioners
need to be proactive in asserting our unique role in this area.
Click here for more detailed information on these 4 motions.
Please read them and provide me with your feedback.
In addition there are several action items from the Bodies of the
Assembly. I am serving on Task Group 3 about the Case
Management issues. We are also looking at two action items from
the Commission on Education (COE)
Bodies of the Assembly 1. The Value of Occupational Therapy Assistant Education to the
Profession
2. The Importance of Interprofessional Education In Occupational
Therapy Curricula
We will also be discussing having a series of discussions about the
Board of Directors proposal to move the profession to a Doctoral-
Level Single Point of Entry for Occupational Therapists. No motion
to vote on yet but we will be providing RA feedback on this
important issue. The following are links to the Board Position
Statement and pros and cons, frequently asked questions and
meetings on this topic. Please take time to review this and provide
me with your feedback.
• AOTA BOD Issues Position Statement on Doctoral-Level Single
Point of Entry for Occupational Therapists (Announcement)
• Board of Director Position Statement on Entry-Level Degree for
the Occupational Therapist
• Summary of Driving Forces (Pros) and Restricting Forces (Cons) on
Move to Single Point of Entry for the Occupational Therapist at
the Doctoral Level in the United States
• FAQs: AOTA Board of Directors Position Statement on Doctoral-
Level Single Point of Entry for Occupational Therapists
• Meetings to Discuss the Board's Statement on Single Entry-Level
OTD Degree
Please provide me with any feedback you want me to take to AOTA
from Georgia by Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
Thank you,
Audrey Gargiullo, MS, OTR/L
Georgia Representative to RA
(770) 355-1253
NOTES FROM THE UPCOMING AOTA RA MEETING IN NASHVILLE AUDREY GARGIULLO, MS, OTR/L, GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE TO RA
Brenau University’s School of Occupational Therapy
invites you to attend our annual Alumni and Friends gathering.
Omni Nashville, Legends D Ballroom April 17th, 2015
7-9pm
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
AWARDS FOR 2015: The Nominations and Recognitions
Committee would like to remind everyone that the 4 Award categories: Barbara E. Grant Award of Merit, Outstanding Occupational Therapy Practitioner of the Year, Outstanding Occupational Therapy Student of the Year and the Service Commendation Award are kept posted on the GOTA website at www.gaota.com Nominations for these award categories will be accepted all year long. You do not need to wait until September to nominate a deserving person.
Click Here to submit a nomination for a deserving colleague!
LINDA STEPHENS SCHOLARSHIP
PURPOSE: The Linda Stephens Scholarship was established to provide assistance to students who are matriculating in an occupational therapy program and demonstrate a commitment to serving the profession of occupational therapy. The financial amount is variable depending upon the availability of funds, which will generally be ½ of the amount in the earmarked fund.
Students applying for the scholarship must meet the following requirements:
• Submit a scholarship application, which includes two completed references from a OT practitioner who is a GOTA member
• Be a current member of GOTA • Submit a brief essay regarding their lifelong plan for service
to the OT profession • Must not have been a previous recipient of the Linda
Stephens’ Scholarship
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS SUZANNE MASINO, OTR/L, NOMINATIONS & RECOGNITIONS CHAIR
GOTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & PROFESSIONAL MEETING
Please make a note to mark your calendar for the upcoming
2015 GOTA Annual Conference!
We are in the planning process and are working to provide you
with more dynamic workshops, hands on experience and new
topics and speakers.
Place: Brenau University Gainesville Campus/ Featherbone
Communiversity
Dates: September 18, 19, 20th.
Keynote Speaker: Aimee Copeland
Conference Theme: “OT’s – Catalysts for Change”
In response to your feedback we are going to provide more
short courses (2-3 hours). The topics and content we are working
on include:
• Assistive Technology
• Aging in Place
• Drivers Training
• Hands/ Modalities
• Mental Health
• Neurological/NDT
If you have experience in any of these areas of practice please
consider presenting at conference! It is a great way to share your
expertise with fellow clinicians.
If you are hesitant to speak in any sized group, do not hesitate!!
Look at this as an opportunity to have an open conversation
about something that you are already comfortable with!!
Please keep an eye on the GOTA Website as well as your inbox
for a call or papers and posters and volunteer opportunities.
A CALL FOR PAPERS IS NOW OPEN UNTIL MAY 11
Please submit your topics to: [email protected]
Charles Shadle, OTD, OTR/L received his Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy in Dec 2014 from University of St. Augustine. Charles is currently serving as an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at Brenau University in Gainesville. In addition to serving the university as a fieldwork coordinator, Charles coordinates the Brenau Center for Productive Living, which provides services to uninsured or underinsured clients. Prior to coming to Brenau, Charles worked in numerous capacities at Northeast Georgia Health Systems.Pictured: Left: Dr. Wendy Holmes, Fixes the Doctoral Hood for Dr. Charles Shadle. Right: Dr. Charles Shadle test out a newly donated Hoyer lift with Brittany Farmer, Fieldwork Data Manager
Dr. Susan Stallings Sahler and her colleague Rosie Obregon-Greco (from Chicago) taught a Brenau OT Specialty Practice Elective to Brenau OT students who worked side-by-side with clinicians from the Yucatan in a course entitled “Blending Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Treatment.” The course was attended by 20+ participants and clients came into the lab sessions in collaboration with our partners in the Yucatan, Mexico. In addition to this course, Brenau had 7 Level 2 FW students do an international fieldwork in the Yucatan (Merida) in outpatient pediatrics, acute care and psychiatric settings.
Dr. Irma Alvarado and Dr. Mary Shotwell accompanied 11 students on an annual elective course entitled “Global Health Perspectives” where the group travelled throughout the Yucatan Peninsula to study community health. The group explored health from a rural to urban continuum and explores health from many perspectives such as: healthcare access; physical environment; economics; communications and media; government and politics as well as education and their respective impact on health of a community and a population. Mexico is used as the “case study”, but students each do presentations on health and healthcare in countries throughout the world.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM NEWS
BRENAU UNIVERSITY OT PROGRAM
PAGE 5
BRENAU UNIVERSITY OT PROGRAM
PAGE 6
Brenau Hosts Annual Occupational Science Scholar Visit In February, the School of OT hosted Dr. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR (Past President of AOTA and Chairperson of the School of
Occupational Therapy at Washington University) for our Annual Occupational Science Scholar Talk. Dr. Baum visited with over
200 students and faculty to discuss research and then gave a public talk to students and clinicians in the local community on the
topic of “Evidence for Stroke Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy.”
Brenau University School of Occupational Therapy continues to Move and Shake the OT world in North
Georgia. As part of an Interprofessional Learning Activity, Brenau University hosted a Dementia Care
workshop delivered by Teepa Snow. Over 200 participants including occupational therapy students and
practitioners, gerontology students and faculty along with other professionals and caregivers in the
community.
“Caregivers need to learn how to deliver better quality care, and we also need to figure out how to
care for caregivers as well as people who are living with the disease,” she said, drawing from her 33
years of experience. She encouraged members of the audience to see life from the side of a
dementia patient as well as the side of a caregiver.
“Out of 10 people who are living with dementia, fifty percent of them will
have no awareness of their brain changes, and fifty percent of those
suffering from dementia will be the first to notice that they are having
issues,” she said. “The number-one fear for people over the age of 75 is
suffering dementia. Seeing as how death is only number 17, people are
more concerned with their quality of life than dying.”
Dr. Wendy Holmes, Brenau occupational therapy professor, said the goal of
the workshop was to get many people from the community involved in the
education process related to dementia.
“It really takes a community to care for people with dementia,” Holmes said.
“It takes caring and skilled individuals.”
The effect of dementia on people has been a part of Snow’s life from an early age. “When I was eight, my grandfather moved in,
and at the time no one knew he was developing dementia; we thought he was just getting eccentric and weird after my
grandma died,” she said. “My mom was not a very good caregiver, but I could get him to do things she couldn’t get him to do.
So I’ve always been fascinated by brains, how they work and how they don’t work, and how people behave or don’t behave.”
After her undergraduate career at Duke University, Snow attended the University of North Carolina and became the first
graduate of the School of Medicine’s OT program. She has an independent geriatric care practice, and has spoken at various
conferences and clinics nationwide and in Canada.
“How we handle and treat people with dementia matters in quality of life, and how they live their life,” Snow said. “We are
learning a lot about what we can do to make a difference that matters. We can’t fix or change the disease, but we can change
how people live with it.”
Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
PAGE 7
GEORGIA REGENTS UNIVERSITY OT PROGRAM SUBMITTED BY: SARAH RICHARDSON, OTS & PAMALYN KEARNEY, EDD, OTR/L, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Spring semester 2015 has been off to a busy start for the students at
Georgia Regents University. The faculty and first year students had a
send off to wish the second year students good luck as they began
their Level II fieldworks in early February. Students have been readily
involved in serving the community through volunteering with
Hippotherapy, the VA, and an Autism support group throughout the
past few months. Several students prepared and served dinner for
the families staying at the newly opened Ronald McDonald House in
Augusta. Georgia Regents University hosted a Heart Walk to
fundraise for the American Heart Association and raise awareness
about heart disease. Our students formed a team for the walk and
had a blast representing our program and GRU!
In March fifteen students from the Class of 2016, along with Dr. Sharon Swift,
Dr. Pam Kearney, and Catherine Clark, OTR/L (Class of 2014) traveled to
Mustard Seeds Communities in Jamaica for an international fieldwork
experience. All of the first year OT students attended the South Carolina
Assistive Technology Expo to learn about what new technologies are
available and to better understand how OT can incorporate these devices
into practice. It was an incredibly valuable and engaging experience!
We are very pleased to announce that Stephanie Johnson, MHS OTR/L has joined our faculty in the role of Academic
Coordinator for Fieldwork Education. Ms. Johnson comes to us from GR Health and continues to provide clinical services
in GR Health’s ALS and Movement Disorders Clinic as well as in the outpatient clinic. Ms. Johnson’s arrival allows Dr.
Sharon Swift to transition into her new role as Director of Student and Alumni Affairs while continuing to engage in
classroom teaching.
Dr. Michael Iwama has been busy representing GRU on an international level. In March he travelled to Australia where he
delivered the Keynote Address at the 2015 Joint International Congress of the Australia and New Zealand Association for
Health Professional Educators/Asian Medical Education Association in Sydney and taught classes and seminars for the
Australian Occupational Therapy Association and University of Newcastle. He is also scheduled to provide a workshop and
lecture to the Korean OT Association prior to his return to Georgia.
Nearly thirty students and most faculty members are planning to attend the Annual AOTA Conference in Nashville. If you
are an alumnus of the OT programs at MCG/GHSU/GRU, we hope you will join us at our Alumni Reception, to be held
from 7-9 pm on Friday, April 17th at the Omni Nashville Hotel, Music Row 3 room (2nd floor). We look forward to seeing
you there!
PAGE 8
AUGUSTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE OTA PROGRAM SUBMITTED BY: BARBARA BANNING, M.ED, OTR/L, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The OTA Program at Augusta Technical College has received re-accreditation from ACOTE and is looking forward to training many more quality occupational therapy assistants in the future! Many changes are scheduled for the program to improve its delivery of cost-effective, quality training to its students. As of August, 2015, it will institute a revised course schedule that has reduced its credit hours from 94 to 73 semester hours. This will save students an estimated $2100 excluding books! The program will also see an increased use of lab assistants and adjunctive faculty to continue to improve the quality of its program.
Upcoming dates: • Graduation is May 6 at the James Brown Auditorium with 18 OTA students scheduled to graduate. • Summer semester starts May 18 with 18 OTA students returning for their senior year. • Interviews for the new OTA cohort will be held in June. • Orientation for new OTA students will be on August 6
Our annual "Sensory-Social Camp" is, in essence, an intensive week of therapy for children who have sensory processing challenges. Our ratio is 8 to 10 children to 5 counselors. The focus is on increasing self-awareness for regulation, communication and social interaction. The Alert Program "How Does Your Engine Run?" is integrated into each day with repetitious opportunities for organizing sensory input. Parents are additionally involved to support carryover at home. Annemarie Messerschmidt, MSW is an integral member of this program and brings with her wonderful insights and suggestions for supporting social skills. Two sessions are held for ages 4 to 6 (June 15-19) and 7 to 9 (June 22-26). Each day is from 9 to noon. Skills learned can offer a bridge between 1 on 1 sessions and "like school" environments as well as to support children who are not receiving direct services. Participants need to have basic expressive and receptive language for exploring emotions and tips for success. Please call (404-378-5734) or email if you have any questions. It would be a pleasure to support your services with our summer program.
For more information, please contact: Christy Kennedy
christykennedyOT.com
SENSORY-SOCIAL CAMP CHRISTY KENNEDY OT
Date MeetingMay 12 Parkinson’s Alliance UpdateJuly 14 Back to Our Roots InterventionsSeptember 15 OTA Level II Collaborative Goals
November 10 The CareTool
GOTA East Region 2015 Calendar:
PAGE 9
Save the Date – North Region Meeting OT and Politics. Why Should I Care? Presented By: Nicole Walker MS OTR/L, Speaker When: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 6:30-8:00PM Where: Brenau University East Campus, School of OT 999 Chestnut St., Suite 70 Gainesville GA 30501-6963
Nicole Walker has over 14 years of both clinical and administrative experience. She is the owner of Walker Therapy Services in Gainesville, Georgia, an outpatient rehabilitative center and business manager of Saddle Buddies Therapy, a 501 c 3 specializing in equine assisted therapy. Nicole has served GOTA as Regulatory and Reimbursement Chair and currently PAC Chair. For over 8 years, she has served as one of two representative of GOTA on the Trialliance, a coalition of the physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy state associations. The Trialliance works together with lobbyists, legislators and the Department of Community Health and the Care Management Organizations with which it contracts to increase communication between the state and therapy providers, create legislation and advocate for our professions and our patients.
North Region hosted Kendyl Brock, OTR/L, CHT in a discussion of UE disorders and Interventions. Below: Andrew Jackson, OTS with Dr. Barb Schell and Stephanie Manning OTS practice Tendon Gliding exercises.
NORTH REGION M. IRMA ALVARADO, PHD, OTR/L
REGIONAL REPORTS & EVENTS
For more information on what’s happening in
your region, click here.
EAST REGION BARBARA BANNING, M.ED, OTR/L
The Continuing Education Prior Approval Committee is looking for one additional volunteer. This committee is
responsible for reviewing all continuing education courses submitted to the state licensing board for
occupational therapy practitioners. We review the course materials to make sure certain continuing education
criteria are met and provide recommendations (e.g., approve, approve with recommendations, etc.). The
materials for each course are mailed to you for your review, and although it certainly varies, you can receive
approximately 2-12 course packets to review each month. We ask that you complete your review as timely as
possible, but typically we have up to two weeks to provide feedback. If you have an interest in serving on this
committee, contact us at [email protected]. Please consider joining us!
OPEN POSITION: CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Barbara Banning, M.Ed., OTR/L presented at the March meeting on “Returning to Our Roots” with participants completing a take-home project and participating in a discussion on task analysis, documentation, and the use of crafts in the clinic. Laura Cordaro, OTR/L will be the next regional speaker on May 12, 2015. She will provide an update on the latest evidence in addressing the needs of clients with Parkinson’s disease (location to be announced).
Please offer congratulations to a former member of the region, Mariana D’Amico, as she is being awarded the FAOTA in Nashville! Dr. D’Amico, formerly of Georgia Regents University, is now residing in Florida.
PAGE 10
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
2015 AOTA Conference - April 16-19, 2015 - Nashville, TN GOTA East Region Meeting - May 12, 2015 - Augusta Technical College
GOTA North Region Meeting - May 19, 2015 - Brenau (Gainesville) GOTA Board Meeting - June 20, 2015 - Gainesville
GOTA East Region Meeting - July 14, 2015 - Augusta Technical College GOTA Board Meeting - August 15, 2015 - Conference Call
2015 GOTA Annual Conference & Professional Meeting - September 18-20, 2015 - Gainesville, GA GOTA Budget Meeting - November 19, 2015 - Virtual
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
2015 GOTA EXECUTIVE BOARD
President* Mary P. Shotwell, PhD, OTR
Vice President* & Bylaws Committee Chair M. Irma Alvarado, PhD, OTR/L
Treasurer* Paulette F. Bell, MA, OTR/L
Secretary* & Conference Co-Chair Kimberly Stoops, MS, OTR/L
AOTA RA Audrey Gargiullo, MS, OTR/L
Conference Co-Chair Annette Russell Farmer, OTR/L, C/NDT
Communications Erin Brennan, MS, OTR/L
Membership Chair Marco Coelho, MS, OTR/L, CPAM
Regulatory & Reimbursement Karen Bittick-Nelson, OTR/L
Regional Chair, Atlanta* Angela D. Matthiessen, OTR/L
Regional Chair, East* Barbara J. Banning, M.Ed., OTR/L
Regional Chair, Middle* Rebecca Humphreys, MS, OTR/L
Regional Chair, North* M. Irma Alvarado, PhD, OTR/L
Regional Chair, South* Tonya Curles, COTA/L
Newsletter Chair Traci Swartz, OTD, OTR/L
Nominations & Recognitions Chair Suzanne Masino, OTR/L
Continuing Education Approval Chair Smitty Eason, OTR/L
GOTA Listserv Helene Smith-Gabai, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR OT PAG Chair Nicole Walker, MS, OTR/L
Education Liaison Kathy Foley, PhD, OTR/L
OTA Liaison LaDonna Nash, COTA/L
* indicates a voting member
Georgia Occupational Therapy Association
1260 Winchester Pkwy SE
Suite 205
Smryna, GA 30080-6546
P: (770) 435-5910 F: (770) 433-2907
Stay Connected:
Submissions for the next Newsletter are
welcome and to be directed to Traci Swartz