More Than the Sun Shone at Orange Beach
Fall conference 2011 was another success. We were able to offer 2 tracks this year, and over 200 were in attendance! On Friday evening, we held a reception where practicioners from across the state networked and enjoyed the wonderful catering and beverages. At this reception, each year, we honor those among us who have proven exemplary in or profession and have been nominated and chosen by their peers to recieve ALOTA awards. Be sure to congratulate those listed below as this year’s recipients.
THE ELSIE HOLMES MCKIBBIN LECTURESHIP
Kathleen T. Foley, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Email: ktfoley@uab.edu
Doctoral Degree in Higher Education, Indiana University, 2007
Master of Science in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University, 2002
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, 1988
Foley joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham occupational therapy faculty as an Assistant Professor in July, 2006. She also serves as the program Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator. Her teaching responsibilities in the entry-level program include the history and theory of
occupations and the adult and older adult practice courses. In addition, Foley is a course instructor in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program and a co-instructor in the Health Care Management undergraduate curriculum within the School of Health Professions.
THE ALOTA OTR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Tammy Gipson, MS, OTR/L
I graduated from UAB with a Bachelor of Science specialty in Occupational Therapy in 1991, began practice as an OT in Clearwater, Florida at
Healthsouth Rehabilitation, and after 5 years returned to Alabama and resumed practice as an OT at Huntsville Hospital. There I was fortunate to get supported for training in Vodder technique for Lymphedema treatment. I specialized in lymphedema treatment for cancer survivors and worked in conjunction with American Cancer Society and Huntsville Hospital in beginning a stretch program for clients post mastectomy.
THE ALOTA COTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Rodney Scott, COTA
I graduated from Wallace state in 2005 with honors. I was the vice president of my class. I chose geriatrics as my career path. I have worked at Rehab First McGuffey Healthcare since December 2005. I have worked PRN at Northside Healthcare and Albertville Healthcare since graduation.
ALOTA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Hanley, OTS
Emily Amanda Hanley is a second year student at the University of South Alabama Occupational Therapy program. After graduating from
Purdue University she moved from Indianapolis, IN in the fall of 2010 following a wonderful summer where she married the love of her life Martin Hanley and joined him on his adventure in the United States Navy. She drives a scenic commute daily from Pensacola to Mobile with her car mates Ashley and Princess.
THE ELSIE HOLMES MCKIBBIN LECTURESHIP
Kathleen T. Foley, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Email: ktfoley@uab.edu
Doctoral Degree in Higher Education, Indiana University, 2007
Master of Science in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University, 2002
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, 1988
Foley joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham occupational therapy faculty as an Assistant Professor in July, 2006. She also serves as the program Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator. Her teaching responsibilities in the entry-level program include the history and theory of
occupations and the adult and older adult practice courses. In addition, Foley is a course instructor in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program and a co-instructor in the Health Care Management undergraduate curriculum within the School of Health Professions.
A native of Massachusetts, Foley has worked in staff and leadership positions in the rehabilitation arena with extensive experience in
the neurorehabilitation of adults and older adults. She has held adjunct and part-time faculty positions in both Massachusetts and Indiana and has presented at the state and national level on a variety of topics. She authored the introduction to the Self-Paced Clinical Course on neurorehabilitation in Dementia and was an item writer for the national occupational therapy certification exam. As a Center for Aging
Scientist and Affiliated Investigator at the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center her research interests include
improving function in older adults. Recently, she received intramural grant funding to investigate toileting disparities among older Black residents in skilled nursing facilities.
Active in state and national professional organizations, Foley was past membership chair of the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association
and President of the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association. Currently, she is the Alabama delegate to the American Occupational Therapy Association Representative Assembly.
THE ALOTA OTR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Tammy Gipson, MS, OTR/L
I graduated from UAB with a Bachelor of Science specialty in Occupational Therapy in 1991, began practice as an OT in Clearwater, Florida at
Healthsouth Rehabilitation, and after 5 years returned to Alabama and resumed practice as an OT at Huntsville Hospital. There I was fortunate to get supported for training in Vodder technique for Lymphedema treatment. I specialized in lymphedema treatment for cancer survivors and worked in conjunction with American Cancer Society and Huntsville Hospital in beginning a stretch program for clients post mastectomy. I changed my area of practice after having my daughter (Allie) and began working in long-term care facilities secondary to the schedule flexibility that was available. I found a love for the geriatric client and embraced practice in a long-term care facility even when dealing with the nightmares of PPS. During that time period, I was also blessed with a wonderful son (Lukas). In 2004, I decided I was ready for a change in my area of practice. I began pursuing a post professional Master’s Degree at UAB with a specialty in Low Vision Rehabilitation. While completing my Masters I decided to join Wallace State in 2005 as the OTA Program Director. I found working as OTA program director to be one of the most exciting and difficult jobs I had ever had. I completed my Masters in December of 2007, with my research focus on the role of the OTA in low vision rehabilitation. I utilized the knowledge I gained from the wonderful instructors at UAB to begin an online continuing education for OTAs in the area of low vision rehabilitation. Every day I feel excited and challenged to work with the students we have in the WSCC OTA Program. I have experienced many exciting challenges at WSCC and I believe that the more I think I know, the more I realize I need to learn. I do find that I love OT more and more each day, and my goal is to spread the passion for OT to the students that I instruct. I feel it is important for me to stay in practice as an OT, so I continue to work PRN at both home health agencies and long-term care facilities. I do know that the more I give back to occupational therapy the more I receive from it. I am very honored to receive the OT Award of Excellence, and I owe a debt of gratitude to all of my OT peers and particularly to Gail Hyatt, who continually helps me keep one foot on the ground.
THE ALOTA COTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Rodney Scott, COTA
I graduated from Wallace state in 2005 with honors. I was the vice president of my class. I chose geriatrics as my career path. I have worked at Rehab First McGuffey Healthcare since December 2005. I have worked PRN at Northside Healthcare and Albertville Healthcare since graduation. I have mentored students, been a CI since 2006. I love my geriatric patients. I have the privilege of working with Valley Mccurry as my OTR, and Charla Maxwell as my associate COTA at Rehab First. I would like to thank them for all their support.
ALOTA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Hanley, OTS
Emily Amanda Hanley is a second year student at the University of South Alabama Occupational Therapy program. After graduating from
Purdue University she moved from Indianapolis, IN in the fall of 2010 following a wonderful summer where she married the love of her life Martin Hanley and joined him on his adventure in the United States Navy. She drives a scenic commute daily from Pensacola to Mobile with her car mates Ashley and Princess.
Currently, she holds a historian position in her program’s PTE group and is the SASOTA representative for her class. She is the daughter of Bill & Beth Ivers and a big sister to Ben, Nick, & Abigail. She has a passion for pediatrics and veterans and hopes to use her talents in the future for these populations. Emily enjoys walks on the beach, dates with her husband, and skype calls with her family and friends. She would like to thank all of those who have provided her with encouragement and strength in the program and throughout her educational career including her family, friends, classmates, the professors of University of South Alabama and above all God.