Panuska College of Professional Studies, The University of Scranton James J. Pallante, Ed.D., Dean Rhonda A. Waskiewicz, Ed.D., OTR/L, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dianne Posegate, M.S., Assistant Dean/Director of Advising Center Theory & Practice Publication Committee Rhonda A. Waskiewicz, Ed.D., OTR/L, Editor David Hall, Ph.D., Counseling/Human Services Jessica Shelly, B.S., Education Joseph Fruhman, B.S., Health Administration and Human Resources Mary E. Muscari, Ph.D., Nursing Rita Cottrell, M.A., OTR/L, Occupational Therapy Barbara Wagner, DPT, Physical Therapy Patricia Connolly, Editorial Assistant Diane Muniz, Editorial Assistant
Student OT Association Hosts Association President
On October 26, 2003, the President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Barbara Kornblau JD, OT/L, FAOTA, DAAPM, ABDA, CDMS, CCM presented an address entitled “Charting our course: A vision for our future” to the occupational therapy program’s student body. Hosted by Barbara Kornblau with Student Occupational Therapy Association Members The University of Scranton’s Student Occupational Therapy full potential of this professional vision. President Association, under the guidance of Rita Cottrell, Kornblau’s address to Scranton’s SOTA was origiMS, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, this inspiring prenally presented as her official Presidential address sentation was shared with student and faculty guests to AOTA’s membership at the annual national from College Misericordia’s occupational therapy AOTA conference in Washington, D.C., and has program. subsequently been presented at many state proPresident Kornblau set forth a bold vision for fessional conferences across the nation. Due to its the future of occupational therapy practice and visionary contribution to the field, the complete established a direction for the profession based address was published in the December 2003 upon the value of participation. She challenged issue of the American Journal of Occupational the students to assume a leadership perspective Therapy and has become an integral foundation and she identified key strategies for achieving the for the strategic plan of AOTA.
Occupational Therapy Department Conducts Ethical Theory and Justice in Health Care Workshop
A full day interdisciplinary workshop on Ethical Theory and Justice in Health Care was held on October 27, 2003. This workshop, hosted by The University of Scranton’s Occupational Therapy department, focused on the major theories of ethics and the application of their core principles to the ethical dilemmas frequently encountered by health care practitioners. The Occupational Therapy department faculty and students were joined by members from other University departments and several local Occupational Therapy practitioners. The presenter, Barbara Kornblau, JD, OT/L, FAOTA, DAAPM, ABDA, CDMS, CCM, President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is an internationally known expert in medical-legal issues and health care ethics. She is a practicing attorney and occupational therapist specializing in disability rights and discrimination and has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters. She is co-author of the best selling text Ethics in Rehabilitation: A Clinical Perspective. Dr. Kornblau explored the human and civil rights of persons with disabilities and how these rights are often challenged in the delivery of health care services. The interrelationships between health care, public policy, and the law were analyzed via case examples. She actively engaged workshop participants in self reflection as they considered their individual responses to the presented dilemmas within the context of personal values, professional ethics, and the Jesuit commitment to justice. This workshop was supported by a Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) Improving Teaching Grant.
First Annual Health Care Professionals Fair
The First Annual Health Care Professionals Fair was held November 11, 2003, from 4-7 pm in Eagen Auditorium. Fourteen companies from as close as Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey and as far away as Missouri were represented. Ninety graduate and undergraduate students from nursing, occupational and physical therapy, health administration, and exercise science attended along with several other health related professions. By all counts, the event was a huge success and plans are already under way for next year’s fair.
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