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In This Issue:
From left, Occupational Therapists Amy Richardson, Nina Robins, Nancy Kelly, Christina Szermer, Noreen Dillon, Laura Garren, Melissa Dwyer, Gayle Lang, Monica McDonagh and Alicia Savini.
In a high school job shadow program, Laura Garren, OTR/L, watched an occupational therapist help athletes get back on the playing field after an injury, and she fell in love with the job.
“There is something special about helping a person regain a normal life after a life-altering injury,” said Garren, a BWH occupational therapist for four years. “After physicians and nurses help a patient return to health, we help the patient regain independence and live life to its fullest.”
April is Occupational Therapy Month, and BWH salutes its 12 occupational therapists, who everyday help inpatients and outpatients of all ages live life to its fullest by helping them to prevent injuries or live better with illness or disability.
By helping patients with an assessment of motor, cognitive and visual-perception skills, occupational therapists draft a plan to help a patient perform daily living activities safely and effectively, some as basic as getting dressed or bathing.
“We also assist stroke patients in regaining the skills to perform meal preparation and other tasks such as medication and money management,” Nancy Kelly, OTR/L, clinical supervisor for BWH Rehabilitation Services, said. “It’s a very rewarding job where performing a simple task can mean so much to a patient.”