Welcome to POTA! T Nicole Ashby -OT related activities -networking -fun bonding events -get you prepared for grad school

What is Occupational Therapy? Charlea Break into groups, discuss, come up with a definition Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include: an individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals, customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, and an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team. It is an evidence-based practice deeply rooted in science.

What does POTA do? Nicole Ashby -OT related activities -networking -fun bonding events -get you prepared for grad school

ICEBREAKER TIME (NOT SORRY) Tomi

What do you need to do to get into grad school? JMU’s Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MOT) requirements: Health Sciences Major (with a concentration in Health Studies) Successfully completed all prerequisite courses Personal Statement Resume GRE Test before November 15th (https://www.ets.org/gre) 40 minimum observation hours at multiple settings 3 Recommendations 3.0 or higher GPA and a “C” or better in prerequisites Application is online Charlea Olmstead **If applying to Occupational Studies, you must attend a mandatory info session! (and see us if you have any questions)** FIRST ONE IS FRIDAY AT 1:30 HBS OT LAB (SECOND FLOOR SOMEWHERE) Prerequisites: http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/occupationaltherapy/prerequisites.html

Grad Schools in Virginia: *JMU http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/occupationaltherapy/ *Jefferson College of Health Sciences http://www.jchs.edu/degree/master-science-occupational-therapy *Murphy Deming (Mary Baldwin) http://www.marybaldwin.edu/health_sciences/otd/ *Radford University http://www.radford.edu/content/wchs/home/occupational-therapy.html *Shenandoah University https://www.su.edu/occupational-therapy/ *VCU http://www.sahp.vcu.edu/departments/occu/ Holly

Future meetings for this semester: Thursday, 09/28/2017-- POTA/SOTA potluck & games (@ clinic) Monday, 10/9/2017-- Admissions Board Speakers/Possible Case Study (@ HBS) *Ariana OTCES clinic: 131 W. Grace Street

Set up text/email reminders Admissions board speakers are coming to the next formal meeting! What questions do you have for them? Set up text/email reminders Thursday 09/14: SOTA Benefit night @ Jalapeno’s Next meeting: bring dues ($20) & money for extra t-shirts if you want them ($5 short sleeve; $10 long sleeve) Volunteer Opportunities: OTCES clinic, accepting applications 09/15-09/30 **clarify formal vs. informal meetings Charlea

Questions? Carol