Pitt OT Adjunct Instructor, Research Occupational Therapist and CScD student Katie Mullen at the 2023 POTA Conference
One of the unsung joys of being an occupational therapist (OT) is how energizing it is to participate in OT conferences. This fall I had the unique experience of being co-chair of the Local Conference Committee for the 2023 Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) Conference in Pittsburgh. I was fortunate to be supported by my co-chair, Kasey Stepansky, a Pitt OT alumna and graduate of the post-professional Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) in Occupational Therapy program, in coordinating the “boots on the ground” effort here in Pittsburgh. Together, we assembled a team of local practitioners to lead the charge in planning the conference’s social reception, coordinating volunteers (many of whom are students in local OT programs), in addition to securing exhibitors and sponsors to support the events.
It was very rewarding, humbling and eye opening to be a small part of the much larger state level planning that occurred to put this conference together. During the two-day conference, I also had the pleasure of presenting a scientific poster with Assistant Professor Emily Grattan and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student Brice Hounshel-Smith (OTD ‘24) titled “Unilateral Neglect: Patient-Reported Symptoms Undetected by Existing Assessments.” The knowledge and experience I gained through the creation and presentation of this project was invaluable. I have attended many conferences, but I must say that volunteering and presenting added a new level of excitement and passion to the weekend. POTA and other professional organizations rely on practitioners for membership but also for engagement to help drive the OT profession forward.
Contributing to our profession in this way helps advance knowledge, advocacy and OT practice in a myriad of tangible ways. If you feel compelled to attend, volunteer or present at a conference - do it! I’m so glad I did.
Mullen (first on the left, back row) with POTA members and organizers at the fall conference
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Written by Adjunct Instructor Katie Mullen
Published December 4, 2023