Susan Wehry recognized with Occupational Therapy Advocate Award
Susan Wehry, M.D., chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at UNE鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine, is being recognized for her work to promote the field of occupational therapy (OT) with the 2020 OT Advocate Award, presented by the Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA), an organization actively working to advance the profession of OT in Maine.
Wehry was nominated for the award by Regi Robnett, Ph.D., OTR/L, professor of occupational therapy and associate director of the 51品茶Center for Excellence in Aging and Health (CEAH).
鈥淪usan is a natural advocate for our profession and deserves to be honored for her commitment to older adults, interprofessional practice, and especially, her love of OT,鈥 Robnett said. 鈥淚 joke with her that in my view she is an 鈥榟onorary OT.鈥欌
Wehry and Robnett worked together on a research project using technology for people with early stage dementia. They worked with several OT graduate students and one medical student to share various digital technology devices with people living with dementia and their caregivers.
鈥淲hile Susan endorses interprofessional practice, she seems to especially value what OTs bring to the table,鈥 Robnett stated.
Wehry was the distinguished guest speaker for the Morocco OT Association鈥檚 second annual conference, where OTs from Morocco, Europe, and the United States gathered to learn about transforming dementia care.
She will be presented the award at the MeOTA Fall Conference, which will be held virtually via Zoom on November 7.