Awards and Recognition

2009-2010

October 5, 2009 - SENATORS APPROVE NEW DOCTORATE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
This professional doctorate in the College of Health is for currently-licensed occupational therapists who have earned either a bachelor's or master's degree who may want to advance their education. The intent is to produce leaders in the profession who will contribute to the body of evidence within the profession, who will disseminate knowledge, develop programs, and perhaps enter educational positions.
Emily Olsen and Brendon Cox, 3rd year students, and Dr. Tina McNulty have had their presentation "Relationship Of Time Use To Quality Of Life For People With Parkinson's Disease" accepted for the 2010 AOTA annual conference
Donna Costa has had her workstop "Mindfulness-based Interventions For Chronic Disease Management - Tools For Occupational Therapy Practitioners" accepted for the 2010 AOTA annual conference
Ryan Avery and Thomas Riche, 3rd year students, and Beth Cardell have had their poster "The Efficacy Of Using An iPod Touch^TM To Increase Functional Living Skills In A Person With Acquired Brain Injury" accepted for the 2010 AOTA annual conference
Tina McNulty has been elected as Conference Chair-Elect for Society for the Study of Occupation:USA
Yda Smith had her paper "Restoration of the Occupation of Weaving for Karen Refugee Women in the U.S." accepted as an oral presentation at the 15th WFOT Congress, 4 - 7 May 2010, Santiago Chile
Tina McNulty had her poster "Fulfilling occupational therapy's full promise of occupation to persons with Parkinson's disease: Integrating time geography strategies into traditional home-based occupational therapy services" accepted for presentation at the 15th WFOT Congress, 4 - 7 May 2010, Santiago Chile

2008-2009

Rebecca Good (3^rd year student) received the "Civically Engaged Student" award from the Utah's Higher Education Civic Engagement Coalition. Rebecca was recognized for her work with immigrant women at the University Neighborhood Partners-Hartland Partnership to develop a community kitchen.
Dr. Pollie Price and Dr. Cathy Chambless, Public Administration, were given the Disability Law Center's Community Partner Award.
Yda Smith was awarded an Interdisciplinary Seed Grant Award. This is a teaching grant for "Immigration and Resettlement" in the amount of $8,000 dollars. She received it along with Trinh Mai in Social Work.
Second year OT student, Julie Senn, has been promoted to the rank of Major in the US Army.
Pollie Price and Cathy Chambless are the recipients of the Disability Law Center Community Justice Award: 2008 Innovative Community Partner Award. This award is given to an organization engaged in a proactive and creative partnership with the Disability Law Center to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are recognized and promoted. The recipient of this award has engaged in a concerted effort to promote equal access for people with disabilities in Utah.
Kelly Brown, Administrative Assistant/Academic Advisor, is a nominee from the non-hospital Health Science District for the 2008 University Staff Award.

2007-2008

In February 2008, Yda Smith, Assistant Professor (Clinical), went to Thailand as part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians assistant, social work, occupational therapy and other people affiliated with University Neighborhood Partners. The goal of the team was to learn more about refugee’s lives in the camps prior to their moving to America in order to develop appropriate and meaningful programming for Karen and Burmese Muslim residents accessing services at the UNP-Hartland Partnersip center. The particular camp the team visited, Mae La Camp, is for the Karen and Burmese Muslim people who have been forced to leave their land in Burmadue to violence and severe persecution. Lessons learned from this trip informed programming during the summer while two full-time occupational therapy students were on site at UNP-Hartland for 12 weeks. Seeing first hand how they lived in the camp and learning about their culture and values facilitated rapport and trust building. The trip to the Thai-Burma border inspired a weaving project, a gardening project and a cultural orientation class that is designed as a continuation of education that was provided in the camp.
In May 2008, Drs. JoAnne Wright and Donna Costa, along with Kristi Ward, alumni, traveled to Ukrainewith other OT’s to provide services as well as lectures in the city of Chernivtsi. The Division’s student organizations participated in fund raising and made wash mitts and universal cuffs for the people in Ukraine
The Divisionreceived $5,000 from the Eskuche Foundation for a grant for Functional Low Vision Treatment Clinic Equipment.
Pollie Price, Assistant Professor, is currently serving as President for the Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA). Her term will end in spring 2009.
Yda Smith, Clinical Instructor, is the faculty director with University Neighborhood Partners.
OT Studentshave obtained the Gold Level of AOTA’s Student Membership Circle = 100% student membership
Pollie Pricewas nominated for University of Utah Calvin S. and Jeneal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching, Spring, 2008.
Pollie Price, Co-principle investigator, with R. Rauk & M. Zahl, of grant application to the University of Utah Center for Contemporary Rehabilitation Research, Education and Practice. Awarded January, 2008. $6000.00.
Pollie Price, Co-Principle Investigator with C. Chambless, PhD for the Interdisciplinary Teaching Seed grant Award: Disability Studies Forum, submitted to the Associate Vice President for Interdisciplinary Studies Fall 2007. Awarded $500.00.