AOTA Conference – Through the Eyes of a Graduate Student

By Kimberly Cosgrove (Graduate student, MS ’15)

I recently was provided with the opportunity to attend the AOTA Conference in Nashville, TN.  It was an amazing experience to say the least.  I was able to attend many sessions about new and exciting initiatives in occupational therapy practice.  I also attended many poster sessions.  It was wonderful to see how much research is being done in the field of occupational therapy. One session I attended was by the Wounded Warrior Project, and this was by far my favorite.  The session was on how to assist Veterans with amputations and prosthetics.  One of the main ideas that still resonates with me from the session is to enable individuals from the beginning.  We have to help individuals realize that they can do things, despite disability, and empower them.

Another key session that I attended was maintaining ethical practice despite having to meet productivity standards.  This session was so relevant to much of the education we receive in school on ethical practice.  One of the primary presenters was the Vice President of AOTA and it was amazing to be able to hear her stance on ethics and productivity standards.  Through this presentation, I learned about AOTA’s new version of the Code of Ethics, which was approved by the Representative Assembly at the conference. In addition, it was so powerful to hear the Vice President of AOTA speak about advocating for our profession and our needs to clinical managers.

In between sessions, I attended the exhibition hall, with over 1,000 vendors and employers.  I found this hall to be overwhelming.  However, it was incredible to see some of the newest equipment and the differences the equipment is making with clients.  It also was a great time to test out new equipment as well.  In addition to getting to test out new equipment and toys, it was a great opportunity to network.  There were many employers present which provided me with many opportunities to practice my communication with possible employers.

Finally, one experience that I had a conference that I will never forget is being able to present a poster of Jennifer Bush’s and my senior O.T. Honors in the Discipline project, “The Occupational Challenges of, and Support for, Individuals Providing Care to People with Dementia.”  This was such a great experience and a great way to network with other occupational therapists who are interested in this.  It provided a chance to help further my research and get OTs’ opinions of ways to continue expanding it. I am now motivated to take my research further.  Many of the occupational therapists asked if I would be publishing the research as they felt the area in which my research was completed has limited information, and they helped to validate the findings in my research that others need to know to help their practice.

After attending conference and finishing my graduate year, I am excited to go to my second Level II fieldwork this summer and make a difference.  I learned to not just follow status quo but to challenge it and make it better.  I am excited to be more innovative in therapy and contribute to the profession in many ways.