By: Luis Arabit
The Occupational Therapy (OT) department has much to rejoice in 2022. At the recently concluded Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) 2022 Conference held in Santa Clara on Oct 27-30, SJSU OT faculty and students bagged honors and awards from the OTAC and the California Foundation for Occupational Therapy (CFOT).
Dr. Melisa Kaye was chosen to be the recipient of the CFOT Research Grant in the amount of $7,000. Her research is on examining the factors contributing to resilience and coping in local families with young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kaye is very grateful to the CFOT for this generous grant. She stated “it will provide support to our diverse, low-income and disproportionately impacted local families and children” while addressing the occupational and social injustices stemming from the pandemic.
Dr. Hiral Katri was awarded the Susan J. Harris Entrepreneur Award from the OTAC. The award recognizes an OTAC member who through outstanding professional entrepreneurship has contributed to the occupational therapy profession in California. Dr. Katri mentioned that she feels humbled, honored, inspired, and accomplished to have received the award stating “This award is a great responsibility to give back to the community.”
Professor Alison George was awarded the Janice Matsusuyu Outstanding Service Award from OTAC. The award recognizes an OTAC member who has made significant contributions which impact the association and its objectives. Dr. Deborah Bolding received the Award of Excellence from the OTAC. The award recognizes an OTAC member who has made significant contributions to advancement of OT in areas of therapeutic practice, research, education, administration, organizational and community service.
Congratulations also goes to our SJSU OT students who were recipients of the 2022 CFOT Scholarships: Thao Pham, Nicole Orr, Michael Benson, Lauren Worley and Sienna Kuykendall.
Congratulations to all the students and faculty for being awarded seed money from the CFOT. Kudos to all SJSU OT students and their research advisors, Dr. Megan Chang, Dr. Chiao-Ju Fang and Dr. Katrina Long who presented OTAC poster sessions. Sincerest gratitude to all the SJSU Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) group of students who volunteered their time and energy to make the 2022 OTAC conference a success.
In addition, Kudos are also to the SJSU OT faculty who presented podium sessions at the 2022 OTAC conference: Dr. Winifred Schultz-Krohn, Dr. Courtney Boitano, Michelle Tipton-Burton, Dr. Gigi Smith, Rochelle McLaughlin, Dr. Melissa Kaye, Christine Haworth, Dr. Kathryn Wise, Dr. Deborah Bolding, Dr. Hiral Katri, and Dr. Luis Arabit. Furthermore, Professor Cesar Arada, SJSU OT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator has been appointed as the California Ambassador for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
We close the year 2022 celebrating the great accomplishments by the SJSU OT faculty and students. Congratulations to all!