Report of the AOTA President. Amy J. Lamb, OTD, OT/L, FAOTA

Transcription

1 March 2017 Report of the AOTA President Amy J. Lamb, OTD, OT/L, FAOTA I. Summary of Key Activities/Accomplishments This report covers my activities since I took office on July 1, 2016 through February, I participated in all of the monthly AOTA officer calls as President. I hold a regularly scheduled weekly meeting with Fred Somers, Executive Director. I also meet with the members of the AOTA Centennial Commission on a quarterly basis, as convened by Vice President Shawn Phipps. I have been meeting with potential candidates for the Public and Consumer positions on the AOTA Board of Directors. In addition, I have invited the ASD Chair to attend our AOTA Board meetings where strategic planning is a focus to ensure that the voice of our next generation of occupational therapy professionals is present in during our Board strategic planning discussions. I participated in dialogue with AOTF Board Chair Wendy Coster, AOTF Scientific Advisory Board Chair Carolyn Baum, Vice President Phipps, and AOTA Director of Evidence Based Practice Deborah Lieberman on a joint initiative between AOTA and AOTF to link the distinct value statement to the AOTF research priorities. This work is focused on 1) describing the value of the occupational therapy lens as related to national research priorities 2) link the AOTA distinct value statement to the research priorities to guide practice, education and research 3) to describe research efforts that will address important questions that address society s needs and 4) to gain a greater understanding and articulate the link between science, practice and policy. I have been continuing collaborations with Vice President Phipps, AOTA Chief Operating Officer Christopher Bluhm, and AOTA Chief Professional Affairs Officer Maureen Peterson on metrics for the monitoring of progress of Vision 2025 and communications plans to facilitate a smooth transition from the Centennial Vision to Vision Following the 2016 elections it is important to recognize that changes in Washington and in many of our state capitols will bring challenges and opportunities. I know many of our members are asking what the election means for the occupational therapy profession moving forward. New leadership in Washington, in both Congress and in the Executive Branch, may bring significant and substantive proposals forward. It may affect essential benefits, access to insurance, system design, and other issues. These proposals will affect occupational therapy, and we must respond. As AOTA President, I responded by establishing an Advisory Committee on Health Care Reform to inform and support AOTA and the profession as changes come forward. The Advisory Committee on Health Care Reform will be a focused group of members who have expertise in policy and in health care reform. The Advisory Committee will be used by staff to provide information and resources for rapid advocacy responses. They will support AOTA's efforts by gathering information, data, and evidence so that AOTA is prepared to meet critical policy challenges. I am pleased to announce that the following AOTA members have agreed to serve in this capacity: Brent Braveman, Leslie Davidson, Elizabeth Hart, Brenda Koverman, Carol Siebert, and Jeff Tomlinson. I believe the 1

2 establishment of the Advisory Committee on Health Care Reform is a starting point for the profession to be proactive and prepared to respond in the new policy and political environment. I have been continuing to connect regularly with AOTA Public Affairs Chief Christina Metzler and the AOTA Regulatory Affairs team as we led up to the new CPT evaluation codes implementation on January 1 st This is an important message for all occupational therapy practitioners as we navigate changes in the health care coding and payment environment. A plethora of resources can be located at and are available for members to guide them through this transition and more are being added. Members are invited to reach out to the AOTA Regulatory Affairs team at regulatory@aota.org with any questions relating to the new evaluation codes. I have been continuing to be engaged in meetings regarding modifications to CPT occupational therapy intervention codes as well to ensure that the resources are available for members to be successful in coding transitions. A special thank you to our coding advisors Mary Foto, Jeremy Furniss, Katie Jordan, and Mary Jo McGuire for the countless hours they have committed to this work and ensuring access to occupational therapy services. In January, in addition to my presidential report to the Representative Assembly, I submitted a resolution to reaffirm our commitment to occupation based practice. Our centennial year is an excellent time for the profession to reaffirm our commitment to our core, occupation. As we continue to navigate the changing times in both health care and education arenas it is vital to demonstrate our distinct value and what sets us apart from other professions, our emphasis on participation and engagement in the everyday life. The motion was discussed in task group at the spring meeting of the Representative Assembly and expected to advance the full Representative Assembly at the face to face meeting in Philadelphia in April. Finally, a note on the quality workgroup and initiative at AOTA. I am pleased with the work that has been done by AOTA s Quality Team and Workgroup to further advance the Board priority to continue to develop, adopt, and implement AOTA s quality agenda to ensure that quality measures and processes promote the distinct value of occupational therapy and its contribution to health, well-being, quality of life, and participation. I am excited about the results and consensus achieved at the recent workgroup meeting and look forward to the receipt of the report and recommendations to the board at the February 2017 meeting as we continue to develop and target the quality agenda for Occupational Therapy. II. Report on Activities July 1, March 10, 2017 July 6, 2016 July 18 22, 2016 July 27, 2016 Republican National Convention, Cleveland, OH with Christina Metzler, AOTA Chief Public Affairs Officer. Representation at both party conventions is a sign of our support to our congressional allies to move occupational therapy policy issues forward. 2

3 August 15 16, 2016 September 15 16, 2016 September 17 18, 2016 Participated in the Emerging Leaders Training at AOTA headquarters in Bethesda, MD where we had 15 emerging leaders come together a two day leadership training and kick off their year long mentored experience with an AOTA volunteer leader working on the Centennial Vision priorities. ASHT President s Invited Lecture, ASHT Conference Washington, DC. For the invited lecture I participated in a town hall forum with alongside ASHT President Barbara Winthrop, and APTA President Sharon Dunn. AOTF Board of Trustees meeting, Miami, Florida September 19, 2016 Participated in AOTA Hill Day, Washington, DC along with 130 occupational therapists, 8 occupational therapy assistants, 417 occupational therapy students, 67 occupational therapy assistant students and led by AOTA Federal Affairs staff. We had 38 states represented, 33 academic programs, and a record 108 companies September 22 23, 2016 September 24, 2016 September 29 October 1, 2016 October 11, 2016 October 20 22, 2016 October 24 25, 2016 October 26, - 28, 2016 October 28 29, 2016 Participated in the AOTA Specialty Conference on Autism, Cleveland, OH EMU 75 th Anniversary, Spelbring Endowed Lecture, Townhall on Current Issues & Trends in Occupational Therapy Attended the CPT Meeting in Austin, TX Keynote at the Colorado OT Association conference entitled Influencing the Future of Occupational Therapy Planning for 2018 AOTA Annual Conference in Salt Lake City and recording of a promotion video to promote the 2018 AOTA annual conference in Salt Lake. I am pleased to have local conference committee members participating in this project as well. Participated in the Academic Leadership Councils Meeting San Diego, CA Keynote at Occupational Therapy Association of California Conference, Pasadena, CA entitled Putting Authenticity into Practice 3

4 November 3 rd, 2016 November 4 6 th, 2016 Examining the Gender Wage Gap presentation and discussion hosted by James Madison University AOTA Board Meeting Bethesda, MD November 7, 2016 November 15, 2016 November 18 19, 2016 November 21, 2016 December 1 3, 2016 December 6, 2016 December 7, 2016 December 8, 2016 December 8 9, 2016 Jan 10 Jan 14, 2017 January 24, 2017 January 27 28, 2017 Jan. 30 February 1, 2017 February 6 7, 2017 February 16 18, 2017 Participated in Member Appreciation Week webinar and led session titled Influencing the Future of Occupational Therapy Participated in a meeting with ASHT leaders regarding CPT evaluation coding changes Participated in the AOTA/NBCOT Student Conclave in Dearborn, MI. Participated in event promoting professional association membership at Creighton University Participated in the Chronic Conditions Specialty Conference held in Orlando, Florida. Participated in the AOTF Board of Directors call. Participated in the AOTA All Staff meeting at AOTA National Office as well as meetings with the senior management team. Participated in the Choosing Wisely workgroup meeting at AOTA National Office Participated in the Quality Workgroup meeting at AOTA National Office Attended CPT/RUC meeting in Naples, Florida. Participated in meeting with NBCOT leaders at NBCOT Headquarters Participated in the AOTA Oncology Specialty conference in Houston, TX. Participated in the Leadership Development Training for Managers at AOTA national office in Bethesda, MD Attended and participated in the Experiential Requirements Ad Hoc Committee meeting in Bethesda, MD AOTA Board Hill Day & Meeting Bethesda, MD 4

5 February 24, 2017 February 25 26, 2017 March 4, 2017 March 6-10, 2017 Keynote at Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association spring conference in Omaha, NE Participated in the AOTF Board of Trustees meeting in Alexandria, VA Keynote at Alabama Occupational Therapy Association spring conference in Birmingham, AL Participated in online task group meetings for the Representative Assembly spring meeting in preparation for face to face meeting in Philadelphia 5