Celebrating Occupational Therapists

(Honesdale, April 18, 2023)…The occupational therapists at Wayne Memorial Health System marked their special awareness month, April, with a poster in the main lobby of Wayne Memorial Hospital. The poster highlights the skills of occupational therapists and the history of the profession, which focuses on helping people who have suffered an injury, illness or disability regain independence and function at the highest possible level.

Occupational therapy (OT) was officially recognized in the 18th century when “occupational engagement” was shown to clearly benefit people with mental illnesses, soldiers coping with the horrors of war and other situations. OT has evolved many times over! The poster documents the efforts of many, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy Jr., who helped pass legislation fostering the profession and increasing access to occupational therapy for the people who needed it most. “OT creates hope and optimism for so many people,” said Rehabilitation services Manager Terri Henderson MHA, OTR/L, who is herself an occupational therapist. “We have a great team of therapists and assistants at Wayne Memorial who help our patients live a purposeful life by enhancing their daily living, and ability to function as independently as possible. It’s a wonderful profession.”

 

Photo l to r standing: Kathleen Neenan OTR/L, Linda Moore OTR/L, Jacqueline Gallik MS, OTR/L, Kimberly Emick MS, OTRIL/CLT, Jessica O’Neill MS, OTR/L,

Terri Henderson MHA, OTR/L

kneeling: Kristen Ost, MS, OTR/L, Alyssa Tyler COTA/L

missing from photo: Sean Phillips OTR/L, Karen Stumpo OTR/L, Kristen Krayer MS, OTR/L