Perspectives Summer/Fall 2016

COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES • 31 This year marked the 96th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Conference and Expo, which focused on the following theme—Evidence and Outcomes: Empowering the Profession. The conference— held April 7–10 in Chicago, Illinois—serves as a way for stu- dents, clinicians, and educators to network and learn about vari- ous techniques to promote occupational therapy practice. The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupa- tional Therapy Program at the NSU Tampa Campus was well represented, with the following faculty members being selected to impart their knowledge: Ricardo Carrasco, Ph.D., O.T.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, program director; Mariana D’Amico, Ed.D., OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, associate professor and director of professional development; Gustavo Reinoso, Ph.D., OTR/L, assistant professor and director of technology; Mirtha M. Whaley, Ph.D., OTR/L, assistant professor and director of occupational therapy academic affairs, and me. Carrasco, D’Amico, Reinoso, and Whaley collaborated on the presentation “Evidence and Appl- cations of Mindfulness in Occupa- tional Therapy,” while D’Amico, along with several colleagues in the profession, made the presentation “AJOT and OTJR Editors Share Tips to Get Your Manuscript Published.” In addition, I presented a lecture with Mary Frances Baxter, Ph.D., OT, FAOTA, a research colleague from Texas Woman’s University in Houston, titled “Identifying Assessment Practices in Occupa- tional Therapy in Oncology Care.” Whaley also discussed the topic “Dark Occupations: What We All Need to Know About Human Trafficking, Occupational Disrup- tions, and Wellness.” Student attendees were class of 2018 representatives Brittany Galloway, Jessica Lacina, and Lauren Minson. Class of 2017 representatives were Emil Mathipara, Jordan Powers, and Amanda Unruh. Faculty members and students look forward to attend- ing the next AOTA annual confer- ence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which will celebrate the profession’s centennial year. n Faculty Members and Students Attend National Conference