Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
On the first day of Expo....
On the first day of AOTA conference expo, my true exhibitors gave to me:
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Famous people galore...
Hi all! I'm blogging from the AOTA Expo Hall! I technically have lots to write about, but the Expo closes in 15 minutes AND my hotel charges too much for internet, BOO. Anyway, the highlights of today included meeting, in no particular order....my professor Rosemary (update: Rosemary was sad she didn't get any OMG's...I said it was because I see her daily, but for her sake....OMG x 10, 0000), CLAUDIA ALLEN!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG, Chris BLUHM (Chief Operating Officer of AOTA)!!! OMG OMG OMG!!! Linda Roccio of Gerontology Listserv Fame!! OMG OMG!!! Emily Harlow (AOTA rocker), Frank Gainer (AOTA rocker), and other people I can't remember right now. Still hunting down ol' Penny for her autograph. I did get Claudia Allen's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today has been great. It's been wonderful seeing all the energy of OTs all condensed into one place. The opening ceremony was especially great. Everybody gave great talks and I have to say, watching a ton of OTs getting jiggy in the aisles was pretty awesome as well. Warren McDonald was a wonderful speaker and very inspiring. And the Expo...AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGG. Amazing. I got to play with neat toys and try out the NeuroCom Balance System (Apparently I have vestibular issues), meet lots of wonderful people, get lots of random cool pens and such, and well, I could go on and on. And I will, ad nauseam, when I finally have access to Internet for more than like, three seconds. FUN DAY!!!
Karen Dobyns
UTHSC Memphis, MOT Student II
otstudents.blogspot.com
karen.dobyns@gmail.com
Policy at Conference!
Well, here we are at yet another conference and annual meeting! AOTA's Policy Staff has already been hard at work even though the conference officially begins today!
Many of AOTA's governance groups meet at conference and many of them want policy updates and information. On Tuesday, the Executive Director, Fred Somers, reported on the significant accomplishments of AOTA in federal, state, and regulatory issues. He highlighted the change in the Medicare requirement for wheelchair assessments--AOTA won a change advocating that OTs are well trained to do wheelchair evaluations without extra certification. He mentioned the 6-month extension of the cap exception process but also emphasized the need for advocacy to extend that by July 1. He praised state advocacy that led to OTA licensure in Virginia and progress in other states.
Also on Tuesday, Tim Nanof of Federal Affairs and Chuck Willmarth of State and Reimbursement Policy presented to the Association of Affiliated State Presidents on the need for advocacy and other activities to return occupational therapy to mental health. On Wednesday, Tim and Chuck were joined at ASAP by Ralph Kohl, also of State Policy, to present the presidents with an update on issues like the athletic trainers pursuit of recognition, the new home health bill to improve OTs status in home health, and other issues. The state presidents were eager to meet with these staff and ask their questions to empower them when they return home.
In the Representative Assembly, each Task Group had a length discussion about health care reform to provide feedback to policy staff that can inform AOTA's work on Capitol Hill and state capitals.
Everywhere staff goes, people have questions, comments and also give staff a lot of "thank you's" for their advocacy for OT. It is a reward for all our hard work for YOU!
There is never a dull moment! Also, we had a surprise public relations event. The cartoon "Agnes" published a cartoon referencing the AOTA conference! Check it out:
www. arcamax.com/agnes
Christina Metzler
Chief Public Affairs Officer/AOTA
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What time is it?
I've finally arrived to Long Beach, CA! The weather is gorgeous here with bright blue skies and bright sun...but even with the nice weather, I'm finding that my jet lag has taken over and I'm struggling to stay awake and become accustomed to the time change.
I was able to register for the conference and upon my entrance ran into a former classmate and Wendy Coster (the director of the OT and Rehab Counseling program at Boston University (BU) and speaker for this year's Slagle lecture)! I was so surprised and happy to see both of them and share a little bit about my internship experiences thus far. I'm looking forward to hearing Wendy speak and catching up with more alumni, classmates, and professors from BU during conference.
I'm also looking forward to attending sessions, meeting my supervisor as well as others who are participating in the conference.
After registering and learning how to "scan" people in for events that I'll be helping out with, I took a stroll down Pine Ave. with my three roommates (all currently MSOT-2 students at BU) to grab something to eat. Along our way we ran into Ellen Cohn, one of my former professors, who directed us toward Pine Ave. There are many places to eat around here and the convention center is only a 10 minute walk from our hotel.
I'm so excited for opening day! I'll try to keep all of you posted on my experience here, but for now I'm going to catch up on some rest!
Maddie, OTS
MSOT student, Boston University
pd.aota@gmail.com
mfmaglio@bu.edu
Here We Come!
So, I'm all packed and ready to fly out....I hope. :) I have clothes for whatever the weather throws at me, homework for the plane rides, resumes and business cards, and an extra suitcase to fill up with Expo items.
We couldn't get our flight changed so we will arrive in Long Beach later tonight. I'm a little disappointed but it will all work out just fine. I'm going to have to text some of my family a picture once I get there since they were lucky enough to get 6 inches of snow last week. lol.
I'm really excited for what's to come during this conference. The speakers, sessions and information get me very excited about my future. It feels a lot like that 'summer camp high' you get from meeting new friends and learning and experience new things. When you can't wait to go home and tell everyone about it. Does anyone else relate to that?
~Kara Speidel~
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
~Mahatma Gandhi~
Monday, April 7, 2008
"There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California." ~Edward Abbey
Hi!
I'm Maddie, an occupational therapy student at Boston University. I'm currently entering my final internship (at AOTA) and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to experience my first AOTA conference as part of my internship!
I moved to the Washington D.C. area from Boston, MA last Thursday, after completing my previous internships. I must admit that I do miss working as an intern-- learning about OT, treating patients, and sharing thoughts with my supervisors and other staff. Yet, I realize that the AOTA conference will be quite an experience in and of itself, and both the conference and my final internship will undoubtedly enhance my interest in OT and confidence as a future practitioner.
As I prepare for my trip, I appreciate the fact that I will have a chance to reminisce with some classmates, friends, and professors, as well as a chance to meet students, faculty, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and others who contribute to and work within the OT field.
I look forward to meeting those of you who will be attending conference and hearing from others via this blog.
I invite those of you who explore this blog to join me and my fellow bloggers on our journey to the 88th Annual AOTA Conference by viewing our comments through this blog! Please feel free to comment and ask questions.
Cheers!
Maddie, OTS
MSOT student, Boston University
pd.aota@gmail.com
mfmaglio@bu.edu
