The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) has announced two scholarship recipients supported by a contribution from OccupationalTherapy.com.
OccupationalTherapy.com donated $10,000 to the AOTF Scholarship Program, which benefits qualified students currently enrolled full time in accredited occupational therapy educational programs.
This year's recipients of $5000 scholarships each are:
Madeleine Pouw, MGH Institute of Health Professions
"I am immensely grateful to be selected for AOTF's OccupationalTherapy.com scholarship and thankful to OccupationalTherapy.com for their generous support. Discovering my passion for occupational therapy was not a direct path. While the journey required self-reflection and hard work, it was only made possible by the support of my loved ones, who encouraged me to pursue a profession aligned with my values and desire to help others. Receiving this scholarship affirms that decision and reminds me that the most meaningful journeys are not always the most straightforward. As I continue pursuing my OTD, this award reinforces my commitment to lifelong learning and the importance of continual growth. Just as we encourage our clients to recognize their strengths and persevere through challenges, we must also believe in ourselves and never lose sight of what we are capable of achieving."
Lauren Leonardi, Washington University in St. Louis
"It is a tremendous honor to be the recipient of AOTF's OccupationalTherapy.com scholarship. As my three years of official OTD education come to a close, I recognize now more than ever the necessity of lifelong learning to be an effective OT. I had the opportunity to develop a newfound appreciation for research during my mentored scholarship at WashU, where I developed and published a practical guide to enhance understanding and informed decision-making related to an intervention for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. This experience taught me that advancing and implementing evidence-based practice requires interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, and the use of health literacy principles, in addition to knowledge of the research. It is truly a full-circle moment to receive this generous award from an organization so committed to supporting therapists' journeys as lifelong learners. Thank you to OccupationalTherapy.com for supporting me and countless other OT practitioners in our commitment to continued learning and use of evidence-based practices to improve the lives of all whom we serve."
OccupationalTherapy.com has supported the AOTF Scholarship Program since 2015, awarding scholarships to outstanding applicants who are pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees in occupational therapy.
"OccupationalTherapy.com is proud to support these two recipients as well as future students," said senior strategic content developer Fawn Carson, OTD, OTR/L, ATP. "Our goal is to provide top-notch courses to professionals in the field. What better way to embody this philosophy than helping the clinicians of tomorrow?"
OccupationalTherapy.com, a Continued learning site, offers 600+ online courses presented by leading experts.
