On March 22, Dr. Ben Atchison, professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy invited Dr. Amy Lamb, president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, to give a guest presentation in the OT 2020 Orientation to Occupational Therapy course. This Lee Honors College class is team taught by Dr. Atchison and Elizabeth Martin, part-time faculty member and occupational therapist practicing in southwest Michigan.
Dr. Lamb was accompanied by nationally known Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Mary Ellen East, who also spoke on the role of the COTA and the importance of professional involvement, advocacy, and leadership.
Dr. Lamb engaged in an informal, yet highly dynamic discussion with the students on the future of the profession, the importance of being involved in professional organizations, the distinct value of occupational therapy, and the challenges emerging in a health care industry that continues to demand accountability and evidence based therapeutic services.
It was a very special occasion for the these students to spend time with Dr. Lamb just before she became AOTA president. Just a few days later, at the AOTA Annual Conference in Chicago, Dr. Lamb was inaugurated and addressed more than 10,000 attendees.