ILOTA In-Person Event: "Creating Ripples: Addressing Societal Needs through Leadership and Advocacy in Occupational Therapy"

(One-hour presentation followed by an informal networking reception with the speaker)

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This course has been approved for 1.0 contact hours of CE credit.

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As a profession, we are compelled to meet society's occupational needs through individual, group, and population-based approaches.  However, society is rapidly changing due to evolving technologies, social systems, communication methods, value-based care, and the general population experiencing distal effects of the global crisis.  These factors directly and indirectly influence healthcare, education, and social structures in fundamental ways where occupational therapy services are delivered. The profession of Occupational Therapy is at a pivotal time to adapt and respond to these needs or risk fading into the background.

Leadership and advocacy from individuals, groups, and organizations are needed for the profession to thrive and to address these needs in the 21st century through local, state, national, and international levels. This interactive presentation will discuss strategies and resources for developing skills for leadership and advocacy, including identifying and prioritizing societal needs.  In addition, time will be provided for participants to develop action steps to create ripples which address societal needs.

1. Identify strategies and resources for developing skills for leadership and advocacy.
2. Discuss strategies and resources for identifying and prioritizing societal needs.
3. Apply skills to develop an action plan to address a societal need.

Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Cristina Reyes Smith is an Associate Professor and Director of Admissions in the College of Health Professions (CHP) Division of Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).  Dr. Smith is the Vice President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).  She was named in the "Top 50 Women Leaders of South Carolina" by Women We Admire and has served in multiple national leadership roles including recently on the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Board of Directors as a Director (2020 to 2023) and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education (JOTE) (2020 to present).  She is a Co-Founder of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), a national 501c-3 organization (2013 to present).  In 2022, Dr. Smith was invited to serve on the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Standing for Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (STRIDE) Committee.  

(Not a member? Join here!)

This course has been approved for 1.0 contact hours of CE credit.

Register here!