2024 OT Celebration Day Program - 5-9-24

MGH Institute of Health Professions

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Department of Occupational Therapy

DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

CLASS OF 2024 AWARDS & CELEBRATION DAY

May 9, 2024

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

1CW Conference Center

WELCOME REMARKS

Regina F. Doherty, OT, OTD, OTR, FAOTA, FNAP Professor and Chair

Entry-Level OTD CLASS OF 2024 STUDENT ADDRESS

Helina Samson, BA, OT/s

Post-Professional OTD CLASS OF 2024 STUDENT ADDRESS

Melissa Williams, OTR/L, PP-OTD candidate

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Announced by

Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP

Associate Professor & Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director and

Emily Z. Eddy, OT, OTD, MS, OTR

Assistant Professor & Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director

CLOSING REMARKS

Regina F. Doherty, OT, OTD, OTR, FAOTA, FNAP Professor and Chair

CLASS PHOTOS AND WELL WISHES

DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Arianna Gayla Bayangos

Laura Joanne Benson

Anna M. Blythe

Claire Joy Brehm

Madison A. Brodeur

Yajaira Fabricia Castillo

Michaela A. Cavanagh

Elena Mary Cheek

Meghan Elise Clancy

Zachary Gordon DeLaney

Michelle Marie Doucette

Halie M. Fenske

Varsha J. Geer

Sydney Zeann Georgiou

Jenna A. Goldman-Macfail

Lindsay Morgan Hart

Jane Lok Ching Lam

Alexandria Rose Lembo

Dafna Lewis

Kayla N. Livingston

Camila Maria Llanes

Ashley Camille Long

Ryley Lynn McCarron

Kelly A. Moran

Caroline Kia Napoli

Margrete Riley Newman

Alexandra Sloan Podell

Helina Samson

Jessica Danielle Seto

Monica Kim Tran

Neha Vallabhaneni

Nicole R. Wexler

Natasha V. Winter

Jillian E. Yamartino

Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Nicole E. Bickhart

Abigail Lucile Griffin

Amy K. Harper

Melissa Mae Williams

Award Descriptions

STUDENT AWARDS

Award for Student Excellence

This award honors a graduating occupational therapy student who distinguishes themselves through academic and professional excellence.

Award for Student Innovation

This award honors a student or team of students that has demonstrated excellence in the creation of new product, program, design and/or method of applying the principles and practice of occupational therapy.

Award for Student Leadership in Service

A learning outcome of the MGH OTD Programs is that students “Demonstrate active involvement in professional development, leadership, and advocacy within health care and the profession of occupational therapy”. This award honors an individual that has distinguished themselves as a leader in service to the occupational therapy profession at the school, local, state or national level during their time as a student at the MGH IHP. This outstanding commitment to service and advocacy has served to raise awareness regarding health and healthcare, and occupational therapy’s role in that care, across a variety of settings.

Emerging Scholar Award

This award honors a student or group of students that have distinguished themselves through significant participation in scholarly work during their time as occupational therapy students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions or within one year of graduation. This commitment to scholarship is demonstrated by exceptional performance in a scholarly pursuit. This may be demonstrated by substantial intellectual contributions to the science underpinning occupational therapy, occupational therapy education, or interprofessional education and/or a demonstrated commitment to scientific inquiry.

Alumni Professional Achievement Award

This award honors and celebrates an alum that has distinguished themselves through significant leadership, service to the profession and/or a community or population. Achievements may include participation in scholarly work after their time as occupational therapy students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. This commitment to excellence is demonstrated by exceptional performance in professional pursuits such as volunteer leadership, co-authoring a manuscript or disseminating the science underpinning occupational therapy, grant funding, quality improvement projects, program development and implementation, and contributions to occupational therapy education and practice.

FACULTY AWARDS

Outstanding Teaching Award

This award honors an IHP instructor (full time faculty, part time faculty, term lecturer, or lab instructor) who has taught a minimum of (2) semesters and is dedicated and committed to enhancing the educational experience of occupational therapy students. This individual consistently integrates learning activities / research mentorship that enable students to expand their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in occupation and evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and professional reasoning.

Faculty Award for Excellence

This award honors an OT faculty who is dedicated to enhancing the experience of occupational therapy students. This individual demonstrates exceptional commitment to students through teaching, advising, and/or mentoring, supporting student endeavors both inside and outside of the classroom.

Award for Excellence in Fieldwork Education

This award recognizes outstanding communication and teaching skills that foster applied learning and evidence-based decision making in occupational therapy students. The individual exemplifies the qualities and skills of an outstanding fieldwork educator by demonstrating excellence in the areas of professionalism, communication/interpersonal skills, clinical teaching, and clinical practice.