2016 Myra McDaniel scholarship winner

AOTF Scholarship Selection Committee has selected Jessica Leer for the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) Endowed Scholarship honoringMyra McDaniel. The scholarship amount awarded for 2016 was $500.

“I am currently a third year student in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Florida A&M, embarking on my Level II Fieldwork in Colorado. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and a Child Psychology minor. I began my undergraduate career in sports performance and completed three invaluable internships. While I enjoyed my internship experiences, I learned that I yearned for a career path that focuses on the individual, recognizing and fostering the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Through my relationship with my grandmother, my own personal experience, and from numerous clinical volunteer positions, I have come to realize the critical importance of personal validation, which is at the core of the profession of occupational therapy. An occupational therapist provided me the personal validation and support I needed to return to meaningful occupation after a severely debilitating TBI. My mission is to improve my future clients'​ occupational autonomy and quality of life based on their personal perspective, rather than a clinically defined quality of life. I am particularly interested in occupational therapy care for youth, military veterans, TBI, mental health, and various underserved populations. I yearn to be an integral part of an individual’s journey towards holistic health and well-being. I have a passion to generate research, advocate for the profession of occupational therapy, and help change insurance coverage policies to ensure individuals receive the occupational therapy care they need and deserve to sustain a meaningful life. “

 Below is the application essay from Ms. Leer.

We are in the midst of rapid changes within the health industry. Most notable for the OT profession are changes involving OT interventions, with health reform being the catalyst.

Mental health interventions will dramatically increase as occupational therapy returns to its roots. In doing so, occupational therapists will play a major role in the destigmatization of mental illness. Intervention services will climb for our returning military men and women, many of who face PTSD. Services will also climb for our at-risk youth and geriatric populations, many of whom struggle with anxiety and/or depression.

OT interventions will become increasingly more preventative in nature. Significant initiatives include: concussion, obesity, suicide, fall, heart disease, and stroke prevention, as well as health coaching and workplace wellness and safety programs. Health promotion and education will be crucial intervention tools that occupational therapists will draw upon.

In response to societal concern regarding medication side effects, OT interventions will become even more holistic. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, Reiki healing, meditation and mindfulness will become more prevalent.

Delivery systems of care will become more mobile and technology based. Home- centered care and house call services will become commonplace, as will telehealth practices. This shift will especially benefit our geriatric population. OT interventions will focus on preserving independence and increasing the quality of life through the aging process.

The global factors of research, policy issues, and technology will continue to significantly influence the practice of occupational therapy. A primary example of that is concussion care.

Concussion research is widespread, brought to critical attention by the NFL Lawsuit. Research findings have led to policy measures such as mandated testing prior to return to play. It has also led to greater societal awareness, influencing prevention measures and increasing the likelihood of rehabilitation. A promising prevention effort rooted in technology is a specialized ‘smart’ helmet fitted with impact detecting sensors. Ideally, these helmets will be managed and hopefully lead to more OT referrals for TBI care.

There are many powerful actions available to me, as an occupational therapy practitioner, to effect the advancement of the knowledge base of the profession, while influencing the rapidly evolving world of health intervention. Key initiatives include: active membership in professional OT related organizations, attendance at professional conferences and legislative sessions relevant to OT, and participation in

OT related educational and research opportunities. Other significant contributing actions include professional journal reading to stay abreast of current OT information and trends, collegial networking and dialogue, and involvement in volunteer service opportunities.

My typical weekend includes a volunteer service event. Participation within the community is both personally and professionally enriching. Volunteer service strengthens established relationships of trust and fosters new connections. It aids development of a greater understanding of and empathy toward individuals with various conditions. Most importantly, visibility within the community serves to publically advocate the importance of the profession of occupational therapy.

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” – Albert Einstein

 

 

 
 


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