December 2007
Centennial Vision Journal Entry
Penny Moyers, EdD, OTR/L, BCMH, FAOTA
Where have the last 2 months gone? November and October were such busy months in traveling and meeting with members!
I met with the faculty and students at Indiana University and learned about their plans to contribute to the development of research in the profession, which is an important aspect of our Centennial Vision.
Dr. Moyers and Students from Indiana University's OT Class of 2009
I attended the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Board meeting in Washington, DC, in November. We had an in-depth discussion regarding ways to address the potential faculty shortage and also worked with a consultant to enhance meeting effectiveness. I learned significant strategies that I can translate to the AOTA Board of Directors’ meetings as we begin to implement our self-evaluation plan and assess the AOTA Board’s progress in facilitating the Centennial Vision.
It is so exciting the way the group called Occupational Therapy Organizational Partners (OTOP) is working together. This was further evidenced through the OTOP meeting held in early December, where NBCOT, AOTF, and AOTA discussed and developed plans to address many topics of mutual interest.
For instance, we talked about how NBCOT plans to prepare faculty and program directors in their understanding of the new simulation examination content of the NBCOT examination. We received information from NBCOT regarding their latest Practice Analysis, which helps to form the blueprint for their examination updates. We addressed the potential faculty and practitioner shortage and will be scheduling a follow-up phone call for more work on this issue. We also discussed evidence-based practice and how OTOP can work jointly on issues related to the development and use of evidence in practice, an opportunity that links research, education and practice.
AOTA and AOTF described their upcoming second Mentoring Circle© leadership development program to start in January—this time with program directors. AOTA then announced the leadership program designed for state association presidents, also to be held in January. Both of these programs address the leadership capacity issues that are a part of our Centennial Vision.
Executive Director Fred Somers and Chief Professional Affairs Officer Maureen Peterson held another Town Hall Meeting to spread the message of the Centennial Vision. They traveled to Seton Hall University in New Jersey where they met with faculty, had a lively discussion with students, and then held the meeting. Faculty and students as well as a group of local practitioners attended.
Maureen also delivered the keynote address at the Virginia OT Association conference; Chief Public Affairs Officer Christina Metzler delivered an address at the Missouri State OT Association conference; and AOTA Board Director Sue Young delivered the keynote at the Tennessee OT Association conference. All of the addresses related to the Centennial Vision. We are out there keeping this message alive!
Unfortunately I was not able to attend the first AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave, but I was well represented by Fred Somers, and AOTA Vice President Florence Clark, as well as all the wonderful staff of AOTA, who worked so diligently to implement this conclave. More than 560 students attended this milestone event; I have heard from many students about their enthusiasm for the opportunity and how honored they were to have AOTA host an event targeted just for students.
Fred Somers, Mary Warren, and I represented AOTA at a meeting that included representatives from the American Optometric Association (AOA), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER). We met in conjunction with industry representatives from Optilect and Intel to discuss how all these organizations and industry could together better serve the growing population of older adults with low vision issues.
This meeting was an indication of our focus on the Centennial Vision practice area of productive aging and our efforts to ensure that there are enough professionals available and trained to provide services to this growing population. This was just the beginning of our collaboration with these organizations. We will keep the membership informed of further developments.
Well, things are quieter now as the holiday season is approaching, so I am able to take a breather from traveling. I still have many conference phone calls with various ad hoc groups and staff to attend to, as we continue the work needed to make our Vision come alive. Until next year…
