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