AOTA Annual Conference Blog

Until next year..

I hope you all enjoyed your time here in St. Louis.  Every year, conference seems to go by faster and faster.  Once you come to conference, your perspective of our profession will be changed forever.  I hope you left with that feeling.  Don't lose the motivation and inspiration that you gained for OT from conference throughout the year.  As I am sure you are now aware, a lot of work is on our horizon as we work toward the Centennial Vision.  I challenge all of us students, as well as practitioners and educators, to ask ourselves how we can help AOTA and the profession achieve the Centennial Vision.  Ten years will pass before we know it.  It is hard to believe that it has been 3 years since the Visioning process started.

As I side note, since I did not have an opportunity to blog during conference, I wanted to share with you my favorite session at conference-A panel presentation on the work of Gail Fidler.  I consider Gail a mentor to me through her words and her work even though I never met her.  Her perspective on OT is timeless and I encourage all students to read her work.  If there is an issue today in OT, I am sure she addressed at some point in her career.  This is a valuable lesson I have learned from AOTA and the profession...whenever things seem complicated and insurmountable, take a step back and learn from our past leaders.  Our history keeps all things in perspective. 

Best wishes to all and I look forward to seeing you next year in Long Beach.

Sincerely, Tim Wolf

Thank You St. Louis

I would just like to thank all of those involved in making this year's conference happen.  It was a great expreince filled with education, networking, and so much more.  Getting the chance to put faces with so many of the people I have communicated with was invaluable.  The knowledge and information I gained from the conference has already been applied to my practice.  I only wish I could have made it to more sessions.  I recommend that everyone who hasn't attended one become a first-timer like myself.  It was worth it.

Nathan

Inspired and Energized

Wow, what a great 2007 AOTA conference!  I want to first thank you all for reading our blogs, being a first time blogger it was a work in progress!  I appreciate the opportunity as well as the feedback!  I look forward to blogging again soon!

I set a goal for myself this conference to bring back something that each member of my team could benefit from and would enjoy.  Well, my cup ran over with ideas!  I brought back to my team the energy and pride I felt over the past few days.  The energy was running through me and had me inspired to maintain a high level of this energy.  The energy seems like such a simple description of what I got out of the conference, but it applies to everyone and everything I think.  The energy to increase my leadership activities, the energy to learn about EBP, the energy to sit down and study and grasp a research article, the energy to share my skills and passion with students.  So, while I was sitting in the airport waiting to fly back to Boston,  I put forth the challenge to my team and my peer's teams to come up with one word that describes them as a team. My goal was to share my word and then to get us all thinking about the wonderful skills we have and then to give each other a pat on the back.   My word of course was energy.  This challenge has been a hit so far!  Only 3 days into the work week and folks have shared their words, some of them included:  compassion, dedication, fun, flexible, patient and the list goes on!  What word describes your experience at conference?  And what word describes your team as practitioners?  I challenge you all, OTAs and OTs to come up with a word that describes your experience and a word that describes your team of clinician's.  And then share that word! 

My other goal at this conference was to meet two practitioners I have looked up to for some time now; Kathy Eberhardt and Kristi Voelkerding.  Success, I met them and shared with them.  Thank you both for a great leadership seminar, I have added to my to-do list new leadership adventures.  For the other OTAs who were there, let's share ideas and brainstorm right through conference 2008!  You can reach me at mxtilton@rehabcare.com  I look forward to hearing from you and moving forward!

Thank you AOTA volunteers, employees, members and presenters for an ENERGETIC conference!  I look forward to the next one!  Take Care, Melissa Tilton

Farewell from St. Louis

As a member of the Local Conference Committee I want to thank all the people who made this conference such a success. This conference was successful because of the all the hard work and effort made by the presenters, the energy and desire to learn demonstrated by the attendees and the dedication and courteousness demonstrated by all the volunteers and national office staff. After this experience I now know what it takes to make a conference like this successful. The answer is simply the volunteers. I was so impressed by the efforts demonstrated by so many therapists and students at this conference.

I encourage each of you to consider volunteering at the next AOTA conference you attend. I also want to share with all of you how much I enjoyed meeting so many of you. My primary job was answering questions at the Information Booth located at the front doors of the conference center. This job allowed me more than others to interact with a large number of you that attended this conference. I as finish this last posting I have to tell you that I am still very tired but very satisfied at having been part of a very successful national conference. I hope to see you all next year in Long Beach.

Bob Cunningham

Brainstorming about Aging!

This year’s conference ended for me with a high energy passionate presentation by Danielle Butin and Dr. Patricia Miller. This year's GSIS session was titled: Innovative models for building self-management and health promotion programs for older adults.

The session began by engaging the audience in a brainstorming session: What are the concerns of the well-elderly? Many topics all to familiar to those of working with this population were identified: grandparenting, aging in place, community accessibility, socialization and fear of social isolation, fear of being a burden on the family, being productive after retirement making a contribution to our community, managing in a culture of technology, caring for aging children with disabilities, fear of falling, and how to stay healthy. These are all issues we hear about in our daily interactions with our clients!

The session then highlighted several creative non-traditional community-based programs being designed by and facilitated by occupational therapist, students, and faculty. The session identified some of the inspired and powerful aspects of our profession that help older adults find quality and meaning in older adulthood when they are struggling with the concerns of aging!

I hope that everyone who attended the conference has a safe trip home! I hope to see you in Long Beach next year!

Natalie Leland Wiatrowski

Highlights from Day Three

The AOTA Annual Business today provided an opportunity for members to hear the current status of the association. New officiers were sworn in including Penny Moyers as the association's new president. We learned there are approximately 37K members in AOTA, heard about the progress the association is making in the area of advocacy and toward building awareness of occupational therapy. President Moyers indicated that she wants to grow the membership number to 60K during her tenure as AOTA President. We also learned that there were 5,000 people who attended Conference! Reports were provided from various officers and a motion was made from the floor to examine the accessibility of the AOTA building, products and services.

All occupational therapists who practice in mental health should be thrilled with our new AOTA President. She identified areas of her platform during her Presidential address specifically highlighting mental health. Hurrah! AOTA also provided an educational session today regarding mental health policy and the report and recommendations from AOTA Ad Hoc committee on mental health practice and the status of qualified mental health providers in each state.

This evening I enjoyed some Italian food, delicious! My students cannot wait for conference next year! So tomorrow is the last day, which is a good thing because I have to teach at 3 pm tomorrow afternoon! We say our good byes this evening and start planning for next year in Long Beach.

I've enjoyed blogging for you and thank you to Lisa Mahaffey and Audrey Rothstein for providing me this opportunity. Christine

As the conference continues

Having just left the Annual Business Meeting, I have now learned that the statement on Health and Wellness was adopted by the RA. I was able to briefly touch base with Marge Scaffa, one of the authors of the statement, in the conference center between sessions. Also, I was able to hear about the progress of the document from the RA task groups form NY Rep Gloria Lucker. As an AOTA member, it is important to me that the Association has begun to more closely align itself with Community Health and Public Health initiatives. Having also attended the Slagle Lecture given this year by Dr. Jim Hinojosa of New York, I am mindful of his message that we need to embrace changes in public policy as they happen. So, while the terrific leadership of the RA and collaborative work through COP has generated process in the form of the statement, I am also mindful of the message in the future we may need to streamline process to be more in the forefront of leadership and inclusion of Occupational Therapy in policy as it changes and before implementation has already occurred.

At this moment in time, I am sitting in the member service area, the AOTA booth in the center of the exhibit hall, pausing before I meet and greet friends for the last time this year, and depart from the great city of St Louis. I would be remiss, if I did not mention the wide variety of both printed materials, books and products I have seen while in the exhibits. At this conference, in particular, I have heard many therapists speak about caring for themselves and the need to 'live in the moment', to pause and reflect throughout our daily lives. We are an aging workforce with an average age over forty. We are also becoming members of the older workforce. It is strategic that we apply the principals we use to help others to support and sustain ourselves.

So, signing off from the conference, I will say 'see ya again next year' and I hope that some of you who may be reading hilights from home will have an opportunity to come to Long Beach in 2008.

Ann Burkhardt

A Day at Conference

Yesterday was a great day.  Between the farewell address, the workshop, short course and round table discussions I couldn't have asked for a better experience at the conference.  I was particullaly impressed with Matthew Dodson and Tim Wolf's presentations at the Work Programs Annual Program.  They are blending neuropsychology and OT assessments to create excellent tools.  They a prime examples of the OTD at its best. Nathan

Innovation!

Today at the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture, Dr. Jim Hinojosa talked about occupational therapists being innovative. Dr. Hinojosa's lecture gave us all something to think critically about. I'm sure some didn't agree with his remarks, and others did....regardless he challenged us to reflect on where we are as professionals, where our profession is and what is needed to best serve our clients. So ends day two of the conference. As I sit here with my mental health colleagues and new friends, Michael, Lisa, and a new member, Rhonda (Brian took the night off) we are having a lively discussion about theory, frame of reference and assessments utilized in mental health. For more information, post your questions on the MHSIS listserve and Lisa will answer soon, once she gets home. I can't wait for the Presidential inaugration tomorrow of Dr. Penny Moyers....She's originally from Iowa! Christine Urish

It's catching ON!

Several years ago, saying the term "occupation-based treatment" was met with either a hush or a roll of the eye....now it is catching ON!  Especially in the world of hand therapy!  I am impressed by the sessions that I have attended that have this perspective as either the focus of the discussion or have integrated the concepts as part of the "best practice approach." From treating the hand, to the elbow, OT's really seem to be starting to understand that we cannot subdivide the body, the mind and the spirit.  To be an OT--you need to be an OT!

Another great talk that focused on a topic that needs a lot more attention in our therapuetic community was the PD-SIS workshop on "Addressing the IADl of Sexuality".  A very interesting presentation that caused me to begin thinking about how little this topic is discussed both in the clinic and with our students.  The presentation was also powerful for me because it was presented by a team that included OT's and an OTA.  Seeing such mutual respect and collaboration was exciting and speaks to the many strides that are being made in OT with regards to professional understanding!

Well, tommorow is a big day, I will be presenting twice in the afternoon.                                                                                                                   By Monday the conference will come to an end and we will be heading home....   :-(

This is most likely my last post....I would like to thank all of our readers for tuning in for the past few weeks to see and hear what we had to say!  Enjoy the rest of your time in St. Louis and safe travels home!!!!!

See you in Long Beach!

Debbie Amini

"You Really Touched My Heart"

I was with Opening Ceremony keynote speaker Michael Weisskopf last night as he signed hundreds of copies of his book in Marketplace. The line stretched far into the aisle, and it took him almost 2 hours to complete the signing. Most in line thanked him for his powerful speech, his ability to really articulate the power of OT, and for truly inspiring them in the work they do. Many shared stories of patients whose injuries were all-to-similar to Weisskopf's. As a staff member who is not an OT, it was a humbling to see how meaningful Weisskopf's presentation was for attendees and to witness a connection that I don't often enough get to see in person.

Today, I joined several colleagues for a presentation on how to publish. In one of our breakout discussions, some exciting ideas emerged about new possibilities created by the accessibility of the Internet. I'm especially interested in the potential of helping members use their own video cameras to help promote awareness of occupational therapy. 

So, the hall is closing, and it's time to straighten up Marketplace for tomorrow. Whew, it will be good to sit down.

Audrey

keeping the energy going!

Wow, another great morning in St. Louis!  And the weather, beats the cold rain we were having in Boston before I left home.  Have you been to the marketplace yet?  I was very impressed with the varieties of resources at my fingertips, making the right choice while walking in circles was the most difficult task of the day.  Having the chance to look through and read a book, resource or CD was a plus that you can't always have when shopping from home.  And the chance to meet the author's is also a plus!  But what I am most in touch with today is my desire to do more, learn more and volunteer more.  I feel energized to do something, and do it better than before.  In talking with my peer and friend I am with, we both feel this strong pull to improve our team and ourselves through knowledge.  We want to keep this OT pride going not just while here.  So know the challenge is finding a way to channel that energy and drive and keep it alive!  we made a commitment to one anther to stay on top.  What are strategies you all are thinking about and talking about in regards to keeping the passion going and building on your experiences here?  I look forward to hearing about your ideas and thoughts.  Now I am heading to the OTA Leadership forum, which I am completely excited about!  Enjoy the rest of the day and check out the marketplace!  Melissa Tilton

High Energy for OT!

The energy is high and the excitement of the annual conference was strong at the opening ceremonies last night! Conference attendees were maintaining the tradition of cheering and dancing in the aisles of the convention hall as well as a few tears as we acknowledge the passing of some of the leaders in our field in the past year and the tragic event at Virginia Tech this past week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those in the Virginia Tech community!

Even though opening ceremonies were last night, the excitement was present here in St. Louis long before the opening ceremonies! The conference institutes began Thursday with lots of interest. I was able to attend the institute on building an academic career with a research training award. There were participants from all over the country with a wide range of experience to share and learn from! It was exciting to see the future of our professions research developing in the room! We learned about the importance of mentorship and value of grant funding to foster the research base for the future of our profession!

As participants we expressed questions about identifying mentors, when and if to do a post-doc, and other opportunities for growth as researchers while trying to maintain a balance between our lives as occupational therapists and personal responsibilities.

I have been able to attend some great sessions while here at the conference, including a presentation by Pam Toto on the Occupational therapy in home assessment program: meeting the needs of older adults. The room was packed with individuals interested in the older adult population and how we as occupational therapist can foster and develop community based services, a great area for Occupational therapists to shine!

As an individual in a graduate policy program in gerontology I have enjoyed attending the policy presentations. The session on Home Health Policy and Practice with Tim Nanof, Karen Vance, Carol Siebert, and Lisa Fagan was a great session. The session emphasized our need as practitioners and researchers to advocate for our profession! Policy at the National, state, local, and organizational level impacts how and what we do as practitioners.

So far the conference has been a great experience and the weather has been fabulous! It has been a great escape from the cold weather of New England.  We had a great morning for the SIS fun run walk along the Mississippi river and the gateway arch! A great way to get the body moving before a day of great sessions!

Have a good day!

Natalie Leland Wiatrowski

Presence

Greetings from St Louis! Sunny and 70 degrees....

On Thursday, the preconference institutes were a happening...I had a brief opportunity to visit the Institute on Complementary Therapies, Occupational Therapy and Evidence Based Practice with Guy McCormack, Judy Parker, Meryl Picard and Frank Stein. The attendees came from through the US and represented diverse practice and practice venues.

Several common themes were expressed by attendees concerning what they were hoping to gain from the session. One common theme was that attendees were seeking 'care for the caregiver' skills. As we, Occupational Therapists, age in our own practice of our profession, we are learning to reflect inward about our own occupational balance and well being. Some of the practice venues where we work are more demanding in terms of our time and work intensity than they once were. It was expressed that having tools to help oneself remain balanced can be a terrific asset.

Some attendees were self-described 'newbies' and seeing to learn more about a diversity of practice opportunities. Several participants mentioned they were seeking information they could apply to current programming in their workplaces that could be used to improve client experience and satisfaction with OT services. Finally, several participants were seasoned participants, each representing diverse prior experience and a mixed skill set for some CAMmodalities-from Chi Gong to Tai Chi, to Yoga, to energy therapies. Some of those present expressed they were managing their own painful and life conditions and had been helped by modalities they had consumed in the past and continue to utilize.

The energy was wonderful in the room. I wish I could've stayed for the entire institute. I did ask attendees to write in about their experiences and to add some photos, if possible...so stay tuned!

From lovely sunny St Louis in spring!

Ann Burkhardt

First day of conference

Good Morning!  wasn't Friday at the conference great!  I couldn't be more happy with the choices for CEUs I had; the great poster presentations I viewed and discussed and the energizing opening ceremony filled with laughter, pride and leadership!  I am looking forward to the OTA leadership forum today, an opportunity to make connections and make new goals for myself.  And the expo last night, everyone had something for anything!  I look forward to seeing more peers and friends today and and sharing stories about your AOTA experiences!  Have a great day today!  Melissa Tilton

Day One at AOTA Conference

I've just finished attending the first day of the 87th annual AOTA conference. President Baum acknowledged many different groups within the association prior to the keynote address. Did you know that the Representative Assembly and ASAP are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. She identified that this event rekindles our passion annually for our profession and I couldn't agree more. I have to tell you about the keynote address. I had previously written about the book Blood Brothers by Michael Weisskopf. Tonight was an amazing keynote address. It was wonderful to see "Captain Katie" introduce Michael Weisskopf and she shared a video she had created to tell her story about occupational therapy. Weisskopf calls Captain Katie the Princess of Pragamatism.....I think this is a title that would most likely be appropriate (but Prince for males on our profession) for all OT professionals. Weisskopf discussed his challenges in engaging in daily activities and how occupational therapy was there to assist him in dealing with these daily challenges. I've mentioned my favorite keynote in the past was Gene Siskell in Chicago many years ago, but now he's in good company with Weisskopf.

There are an AMAZING amount of students this year at conference. In one session I attended on Photovoice this morning it was filled with 50% of students. How wonderful to have people so excited and eager to learn more and soon enter our profession! So as I sit here in the hotel lobby, I'm joined by my fellow mental health practitioners, colleagues, and friends.....Lisa Mahaffey, Brian Holmquist, Cindy Hahn and Mike Fredrickson. We are having a great time discussing an upcoming MHSIS quarterly column, look forward to it. We are also discussing the MHSIS educational session today on supportive education. I very much enjoyed attending this session and found myself sitting in this session thinking about all the individuals within my university setting I could collaborate with to make this a reality at my university.

Lastly, we are having a lively discussion about the paper presented by Moya Kinnealey and Kristie Koenig on the relationship between sensory processing, social supports and quality of life in adults with sensory processing disorders.  Brian feels that it is difficult to tease out the sensory aspects from anxiety, can't people with anxiety disorders benefit from OT without

Frank Pascarelli just joined us and is sharing about his experiences about recently breaking his foot, he's recovered now but isn't going to run in the SIS fun run tomorrow, but Lisa Mahaffey is :O). See the lobby is where you need to hang out when you come to conference because there are all kinds of informal networking opportunities outside of all the educational sessions.  Well it is 12:03 am and President Baum's farewell address will be early tomorrow. I'll give an update tomorrow or Sunday! Stay tuned! HAPPY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH and start saving  your money so you can attend the 88th AOTA conference in Long Beach, CA next year and join us in the lobby. Christine

The FUN is starting!!

Hi Everyone!

I arrived in St. Louis on Tuesday night in order to be here for the OTA program director's meeting on Wednesday and Thursday...let me tell you what I have done so far.

The cab ride in was fun...four of us shared a minivan cab that totalled about $48.00 for the four of us.  Not too bad when you split it up four ways...In the cab on the way to the Renaissance Grand in downtown, I saw the ARCH!  WOW it is huge! you can see it from miles away.  I snapped a couple of pics with my camera phone and quickly sent them to my children so they would believe I am really here (not just running away to avoid homework duty <<smile>>---which I am, but that is a different bolg).

On Wednesday I attended our PD meeting which was, as always, a great way to network and visit with far-away collegues.  The highlight of my day was the exhibit set up by AOTA Press that highlighted some of the most recent releases....for the first time I saw Chapter 10 of Ina Ashers 3rd addition OT assessments book....what a glorious chapter---dedicated to motor assessments--a real joy to read--- (wonder who wrote chapter 10??---you will need to go to the Marketplace and check it out).

Today (Thursday) the PD meeting concluded at 11:30 --leaving me with some free time-- I think it will be the only free time while I am in St. Louis...   I was able to hook up with a few friends to take a walk to the ARCH...Yes, I saw it!! I went INTO it and rode the train to the top....Fun fun fun. The Arch is a pleasant 15 minute walk from the convention center (it was a tiny bit on the chilly side today, but may warm up by the weekend).  You enter the Arch complex from an underground passage near one of the legs--homeland security needs to check your bag, but that was not a problem.  Once inside, you can buy a ticket to the top for $10.00 and then wait until the next avaialble train heads out.  The ride is fun, reminded me of Disney World; we were lined up at doorways while watching a short film. The "pod" is a lttle bit small, so hopefully you will like the people you are riding with.  If you are claustrophobic, you might want to close your eyes.  After about 4 minutes of what feels like being on a ferris wheel, you reach the top where you continue up a few stairs to make your way to the observation room...there you can lean over to look out windows--giving you the sense of flying or floating above St. Louis. Today was a bright and sunny day--the view was beautiful. 

While in the observation room, we ran into some OT students from Mississippi University who were practically giddy about this being their very first AOTA conference. (See their picture at left).  I love to see future OT's who are so excited about their chosen profession!  Keep it up girls!!!!

On the way back the hotel, we stopped for lunch and had....yes we did.....Toasted Ravioli!!!!  It was yummy....all the food so far has been yummy!

Well, that is all for now, I need to get ready for the SIS Networking reception...hope to see you there!

Have fun!!!

Debbie Amini

The Latest Styles in St. Louis!

I'm writing from the exhibit hall in St. Louis where hundreds of booths are being set up all around me. To the untrained eye, it looks pretty chaotic, but in fact there's real choreography behind all that happens in the hours leading up to the opening of the hall on Friday evening. Thousands of boxes have been shipped in with contents that will provide attendees with an opportunity to see the latest products and speak with corporate partners who serve OT. Skids are being moved into place and shelving units assembled. It's noisy and hectic and always exciting to see everything coming together. There are more than 350 exhibitors here and much to do to be ready in just 24 hours!

I spent the morning working with other staff to set up Marketplace and the Member Resource Center. We're all looking forward to greeting attendees and showing our many new titles. We anticipate that our biggest hits will be the new Occupational Therapy Assessment Tools: An Annotated Index, 3rd Edition and Clinical Supervision in Occupational Therapy: A Guide for Fieldwork and Practice Clinical. (I love the smell of books hot off the press.)

So, about those latest styles: (Left to right) Jacqueline Webel (Wash U.), Danielle Shuttleworth (U of Pittsburgh), Kim Dickinson (Wash U.), Holly Hendryx (Colorado State U.), Gretchen Ward (Columbia U.) model the winning t-shirts that their institutions are selling at Conference. The designs were selected from those entered in a contest back on campus. Each student serves on the Assembly of Student Delegates.

The fun is just beginning! Audrey

See You in St. Louis

I’ll be heading out bright and early Friday morning for my whirlwind weekend in St. Louis. The National Weather Service is predicting highs in the low 70s Friday and near 80 degrees on Saturday, so looks like short sleeves and maybe a sweater for the Convention Center are in order.

By the way, I want to invite you to stop by the Member Resource Center during Conference. In addition to information on member benefits and AOTA initiatives, you’ll find AOTA staff and leaders ready to chat and answer questions. Depending on when you drop by you might run into: Laura Collins or Molly Strzelecki from OT Practice; Reed Franklin, Dan Jones, or Tim Nanof from Federal Affairs; Public Affairs Chief Christina Metzler; Tara Alexander, Judy Thomas, or Sharmila Sandhu from Reimbursement and Regulatory Policy; or any of our illustrious staff OTs (that list is very long, so you’ll just have to stop by and see them!). Oh, and I’ll be there, too. So please stop by and introduce yourselves.

And don’t forget, the MRC also houses the Cybercafe, so you can check your e-mail while you’re there, too.

--Andrea

Leadership Forums

Are you an OTA looking for ways to become more involved on a local, state or national level?  Are you wanting to talk to OTAs who are involved currently, have been involved or wish to be involved in leadership opportunities?  If so, then mark your schedule for Saturday, April 21st  from 1:30 to 3:00,  Kristi Voelkerding and Kathryn Melin Eberhardt will be hosting  an OTA leadership forum.  Both of these practitioners are on my "who to meet in St. Louis" list as they both exemplify leadership to me; and they, through their work, action and ability to reach out to the masses, have made it clear the need and power for OTA leadership.  I am looking forward to meeting them and seeing you there to share ideas of what we are doing in leadership roles in our towns, states and nationally, and then to develop goals of how to build upon those roles and encourage other OTAs to begin their path of leadership.  Are you planning to be there and increase our involvement?  See you there!  Melissa Tilton