Perspectives Summer/Fall 2016

30 • NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) Beta Delta Tampa hosted its inaugural Evening with a Scholar event in March. PTE officers Kimberly Bartels (president), Megan Dadez (vice president), Kim Yetman (treasurer), and Shannon Taylor (secretary) were instrumental in organizing and coordinating the event. The invited speaker was Christine Helfrich, Ph.D., OTR/L, an occupational therapy educator, researcher, and clinician who was primarily chosen for her background working with vulnerable populations. Her expertise in mental health covers a broad spec- trum of populations, settings, and roles. Her lecture, which addressed homelessness and daily occupations, was titled “Occupational Therapy’s Role with Homeless Populations: Why Are Jigsaw Puzzles and Playing Dominoes So Important?” As a result of Helfrich’s lecture, students and faculty members learned more about the role of occupational therapists who work with individuals who are home- less. She discussed the importance of daily occupations and how they affect well-being. After her lecture, students and faculty members had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about this emerging area of practice. Due to the event’s success, student members of PTE Beta Delta Tampa have already begun planning for next year’s Evening with a Scholar. n Evening with a Scholar Christine Helfrich, Ph.D., OTR/L (center, sitting up front), with faculty members and students Occupational Therapy TAMPA