WMU well-represented in AOTA's 100 Influential People list
The American Occupational Therapy Association has released a list of 100 Influential People who have greatly influenced the 100 years of the profession. While the profession of occupational therapy celebrates its centennial in 2017, WMU's own OT program is celebrating its 95th year.
As one of the oldest OT programs in the nation, WMU has produced many of highly-qualified professionals since 1922. And we are please to acknowledge that four people with ties to WMU have made the AOTA's list of influential people.
- Barbara Hemphill - Professor Emerita. Established the Barbara J. Hemphill Endowment for Student Professional Development and the Barbara Jo Hemphill Endowed Student Book Fund at WMU in 2006. Read her donor story.
- Lela Llorens - Class of '53, WMU Distinguished Alumna of 1987. Read her donor story.
- Fred Sammons - Inventor, businessman, entrepreneur, clinician, educator and philanthropist. Founder of the Sammons Center for Innovation and Research in Occupation Based Technology at WMU.
- Elizabeth Skidmore - Class of '96, inducted into CHHS Outstanding Alumni Academy in 2016. Only occupational therapist to receive the U.S. President (Obama) Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Congratulations to these four outstanding OT professionals. Thank you for your contributions to your field and for your impeccable representation of Western Michigan University.