OT News and Events
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NJOTA Upcoming Board & Community Meetings
Meet our 2023 Student Reps!
First-Year OTD Student
"I'm looking forward to expressing Kean student perspectives with AOTA! Together, we will stand as proficient leaders in our profession!"
Second-Year OTD Student
"I am excited to be the current NJOTA rep for Kean! As a New Jersey native holding this role is extremely important to me!"
NJOTA 2023 Motivate Conference Hosted at Kean University
On October 22, 2023, Kean University had the privilege of hosting the annual New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association's (NJOTA) annual motivate conference. On this day, students, alumni, and practitioners from around the state gathered to present and further their knowledge of the OT profession. We are proud of our OTD alumni, level II students, and faculty who shared some of their research during the presentation sessions. We were privileged to hear keynote speaker, Dr. Amanda Parezo, OTD, MS, OTR/L , resiliently share her journey of spinal cord injury recovery. Thank you to all those who attended and for the NJOTA board members who organized the event!
List of Kean presenters at NJOTA 2023 Conference
Faculty Presentations
- Dr. Laurie Knis Matthews- presented a 3 hour workshop entitled: Matthews Model of Clinical Reasoning: A systematic guide to occupation based evaluation and intervention. Co-presenters included:
- Adjunct faculty: Paige Garramone and Christine Bodzioch
- Student: Tamar Stern
- Kean University Alumni: Dr. Ashley Fuentes
- Dr. Zahava Friedman- presented with three of her students
- Dr. Victor Michael Camacho presented a
- 1 hour Conversations that Matter entitled: The Men of OT Speak Out
- 1 hour Conversations that Matter entitled: Enacting DEI Principles in OT Practice
- 1 hour short course entitled: Bias Incidents in OT: An Ethical Dilemma
- Poster entitled: Exploring Interoception with Adults: Occupational Therapy Practitioner Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practice Pattern
Students presentations
- Angela Sista, doctoral candidate department of occupational therapy Kean University, presented a 1 hour Conversation that Matter entitled: Advocacy in OT. Angela, is currently completing her doctoral residency focused on advocacy with NJOTA
- Rachel Lanzalotti, Terri Meilly, and Tamar Mor (Kean University Masters OT students) presented a group research poster titled Hear us Out: The Lived of Experiences of Non-White OT Students
- Dr. Jacquelyn Pierre, Kean University Alumni, presented a poster: Pierre, J., Friedman, Z., Ruzich, F. & Centi, D. (2023). Occupational Therapy’s Role Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities Through Post-Secondary Transitions: Educational Coaching Module
- Tamar Stern, current Kean University OT Masters student, presented a poster: Stern, T., Friedman, Z. & Romano, T. (2023). Feelings of Friendship: A Tier-1 Occupational Therapy Intervention to Promote Social Participation In a Mainstream Preschool Setting.
- Gina Tartza, current Kean University OT doctoral student, presented a poster: Tartza, G., Caceres, S., Kowalski, S., Loshiavo, J., Isaac, J. & Friedman, Z. (2023). Sensation Translation: Feasibility Pilot of a Knowledge Translation Program for Community-Center Affiliated Mothers. New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference in Hillside, NJ. Peer Reviewed Poster Presentation.
- Dr. Olivia Volpetti, Kean University Alumni, presented a poster on her doctoral residency:A World of Wellness.Group Program for Health Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention for Adults with I/DD.
- Dr. Sara Frommer, Kean University Alumni, presented a poster on her doctoral residency: Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Primary Care
- Dr. Geena Santomo, Kean University Alumni, presented a poster on her doctoral residency:Health (Management) is Wealth: an Occupational Therapy to Enhance Coping Post-Incarceration Through Yoga and Mindfulness
AOTA's 2023 Grassroots Advocacy Learning Intensive
From October 16-20, 2023, AOTA hosted a virtual Grassroots Advocacy Learning Intensive (GALI) that some of our students and faculty had the privilege of attending. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about state-wide advocacy efforts, grassroots actions, and steps to support their advocacy journey.
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
"AOTA is working closely with NBCOT®, state occupational therapy associations, and state regulatory boards to create an interstate licensure compact for the occupational therapy profession. The OT Compact will provide licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants with the opportunity to practice in states that join the compact without having to secure a new license in each state.
As of October 2023, compact privilege applications are not yet open. Over the next two years, the OT Compact Commission (OTCC) will be working to develop operational infrastructure, including the creation of a data system. The OTCC reports that privileges to practice are expected to be available in mid-2025. For more info, visit OTCompact.org"
Retrieved from American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023, October 2). 2023 Sees six new states enact occupational therapy licensure compact legislation.https://www.aota.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/2023/2023-sees-six-new-states-enact-occupational-therapy-licensure-compact-legislation
Kean OT Statement on AOTA Inspire Conference 2023
In light of recent events within the larger OT community, The Department of Occupational Therapy at Kean University would like to reaffirm our stance on systemic racism and oppression of historically marginalized members of our community. We denounce all racist statements made during an AOTA session and we stand as allies. In moments of overt and explicit racism, we intentionally choose to not stay silent and acknowledge that systematic racism continues to permeate through our institutions causing harm to our members. We stand in solidarity with members in our OT community that have been and continue to be harmed by words and actions. We commit to practice reflexivity for our own personal growth and seek to position ourselves as upstanders. The Department of Occupational Therapy at Kean University strives to truly create inclusive spaces in which our members feel embraced and a sense of belonging.
Best Health Care Job
U.S. News and World Report recently listed Occupational Therapist as the No. 10 Best Health Care Job and Occupational Therapy Assistant as the No. 12 on the Top Health Care Support Jobs list in 2021. Salary, unemployment rate, stress, growth opportunities, and work-life balance were considered to determine these rankings. Read the full list of best health care jobs and the job outlook for occupational therapy.
APA Apology
On October 29th, 2021, the American Psychological Association (APA) Council of Representatives issued a public statement “apologizing to people of color for APA’s role in promoting, perpetuating, and failing to challenge racism, racial discrimination, and human hierarchy in the U.S.” (American Psychological Association, 2021). The apology contains proposed resolutions as to how APA will acknowledge their roles in psychology of failing to challenge racism. The resolutions provide means of using psychological science to remedy harms in society.
American Psychological Association. (2021). Apology to people of color for APA's role in promoting, perpetuating, and failing to challenge racism, racial discrimination, and human hierarchy in U.S. American Psychological Association. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/about/policy/racism-apology
Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act Reintroduced in Congress
On May 18th, 2021, The Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act was reintroduced in the 117th Congress in both the House and the Senate. This bill would provide the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants and opportunities to accredited education programs to increase diversity in the professions of occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology. As of November 4th, The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health unanimously approved the legislation, which will then be sent to the full Committee for consideration. Next in the legislative process is full Energy & Commerce approval. This approval would be followed by consideration of the full House of Representatives. The last step would include the bill passing through the Senate before it is signed into law.
Advocacy Projects- Fall 2021
Increase diversity in the OT profession
To attempt to increase diversity within the field and knowledge of the occupational therapy profession, second-year students created and gave a presentation explaining occupational therapy (OT) to Kearny High School’s Medical Professions class. A literature review revealed a need for greater diversity within the profession. In 2019 the majority of OTs were white (84%) and female (91%) (AOTA, 2019). Additionally, high school and undergraduate students seem to be unaware of what occupational therapy is, and express little to no interest in it as a career (Collins & Carr, 2018). Kearny High School’s total minority enrollment is 66.1% students and 52% of students are male (U.S. News & World Report, 2019). The students' goal was to further explain occupational therapy to students and hopefully create an interest in the profession. Their presentation covered the definition of occupation and therapy, goals of occupational therapy, populations and settings OTs work with, and how one could become an OT.
Mailboxes at the Coalition of Elizabeth
Postal paradox occurs when an individual experiences homelessness and is in need of mailing access whether it's for a job or government documents in order to receive aid. However, if a mailing address is inaccessible then the person will continue to experience homelessness. Mayor Lora of Passaic, New Jersey implemented a mailbox program to provide aid to the homeless population in that area. Once the second-year students became aware of this program, they decided to expand this vision to other cities such as Elizabeth, New Jersey to reach a larger population. As occupational therapy students, they reached out to Sheila, a representative from the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, to propose the possibility of implementing a mailbox program at one of their shelters. A voice-over powerpoint presentation was created as an educational resource to provide Sheila with an explanation of the benefits of a mailbox program. It also includes the necessary information for Sheila to be able to contact the Mayor of Elizabeth, Mayor Bollwage, to start the process of installing a series of mailboxes to create a point of access for the homeless population in Elizabeth. Additionally, this powerpoint can also be sent to other shelters as an educational resource to assist other communities where homelessness is prevalent.
Advocacy Project- Mailboxes at the Coalition of Elizabeth
Paint and "Sip" at the Kean University Occupational Therapy Community Cares Clinic (KUOT-CCC)
Kean University graduate occupational therapy students, Monica Lucianna, Kaitlyn Boyce, Meghan Donnelly, and Nicole Reynolds led a free and inclusive paint and "sip" event for young teens ages 11-13 to facilitate social participation skills at Kean University Occupational Therapy Community Cares Clinic on December 15. Participants painted festive snowmen in time for the holiday season to express their creativity. They enjoyed pizza and refreshments while socializing with peers. Check out some photos from the event below.
Congratulations to Dr. Claire Mulry: Scholar, Mentor, Community Advocate and Educator
Dr. Claire Mulry has been chosen to receive the Roster of Fellows Award, which recognizes occupational therapist members of AOTA who through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/or guidance have made a significant contribution over time to the profession with a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the Association.
Additionally, Dr. Mulry received an $8000.00 grant from NJ AARP for her Thriving in Community Program position. This program allowed (Fieldwork 1) students under licensed occupational therapists' supervision to deliver 8 weeks of wellness programming in 7 affordable housing buildings for older adults in 5 New Jersey counties. The wellness programming included fall prevention education and fall screens, AARP’s Home Fit program in a group setting with supplemental individual apartment home assessments with safety and equipment recommendations, and 4 weeks of Let’s Go Community Mobility Programming. This programming targeted to each individual building’s residents' needs and desires. The supplemental wellness programming included exercise groups, healthy meal planning, chair yoga, health education/ activity bingo, computer education, pain management, hand strengthening, vision evaluations, and story-telling/writing classes.
Finally, you can find Dr. Mulry's quick tips on Melissa Clark's Aging Insights show!
ACOTE Accreditation
We are proud to announce that the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has awarded the Occupational Therapy Program at Kean University with a 10 year period of accreditation for meeting the standards of the Master's Degree Level Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist. The 10 year period of accreditation is the highest level of achievement possible to attain, ensuring the quality education this program provides for future entry level occupational therapists. Only 30% of programs earn this level of accreditation. Thank you to all who worked diligently throughout this process, thus making accreditation a success!
Click here for the ACOTE 2014 Official Findings report.
Correspondence should be directed to: ACOTE, c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. Their phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Website: www.acoteonline.org.
Kean University Occupational Therapy Community Cares Clinic
The Department of Occupational Therapy is proud to announce that the occupational therapy clinic has been operating since Fall 2014. This state of the art facility provides occupational therapy for individuals from the community. Clients are from across the lifespan with a variety of needs, including children and youth, rehabilitation and disability, mental health, productive aging, and health and wellness services. Moreover, occupational therapy students utilize the clinic to practice hands-on skills being taught in the classroom, to create splints, lead Community Partnership & Service programming with clients, and as a possible fieldwork placement. Kean University Occupational Therapy is the only program in the tri-state to have its very own onsite clinic. For more information on the Kean University Occupational Therapy Community Cares Clinic, please click here.