Clark's Keynote Address was "Powerful"!
OTAC president Shawn Phipps welcomed attendees saying, "I hope this weekend gives you [empowering] skills." Phipps recognized conference committee members, esteemed colleagues, and the many students in the room telling them, "You are the future of OT!"
Phipps then introduced the first honoree of OTAC's annual conference charity program, Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit organization providing free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income families. The past and current president of the organization was presented with a check of donation by OTAC members.
Phipps then introduced keynote speaker Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, associate dean of the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, who received a very warm welcome from her fellow OTAC members. Clark told the room that she arrived in CA 32 years ago just as OTAC was coning together and has been a member every since.
Clark's address centered on the need for power in the field of occupational therapy to ultimately see AOTA's Centennial Vision-the roadmap for where the profession wants and needs to be in 2017-to fruition.
Clark pointed out the 7 keywords/phrases within the Centennial Vision Statement:
Powerful
Widely recognized
Science driven
Evidence-based
Globally connected and diverse workforce
Occupational needs
These keywords/phrases represent a formula to better meet society's occupational needs, said Clark. "Power," she said, "is an attribute we must all cultivate."
Powerful, the first keyword in the Vision, is, according to Clark, means occupational therapists want a leadership role, to be proactive in policy and regulation, to grow community based practices, and to be on the cutting edge in technology.
Being powerful, she added, means you:
- are able to exert great influence
- have political strnength
- command respect
- can protect yourself from hostile takeovers by other professions
Clark told the audience, "the professional practice arena is a battlefield, and most professions engage in turf war." She pointed out the loss of OT presence in mental health as one area in which the profession lost its turf. In 1970 18% of OTs worked in mental health. Today there are only 3.4% due mostly to deinstitutionalization during the 80s which resulted in an 85% decrease in mental health beds. OTs did not follow into other areas of mental health and counselors took their spots. "We did not protect our claim in this area," Clark declared.
On the flip side, Clark pointed out Jean Ayres work in sensory integration and her identification of SI therapy, which was ultimately claimed as a new OT professional jurisdiction. "OTs were slow to catch on," said Clark. "Competitive groups disingenuously attacked...and it took a decade for OT to establish grass roots soldiers and another 5 years to collect parent advocates who trumped all moves by competing professionals." This victory opened up many doors for OTs in school-based therapy. In 1970 only 11% of OTs were employed by school systems. Today that number has grown to 31%!
"Now," said Clark at this point in her address, "how do we become powerful?"
First, she said OTs must become comfortable with power. Then, she pointed out, the profession can use the power effectively and ethically.
Clark closed with some important directives for OTs:
"Don't only knock on big doors, think big! Seek out, find and embrace your power. The stature of OT is growing everyday, and...I predict that the golden age of OT will first be realized here in the golden state!"
To officially end the keynote address, Phipps surprised Clark and attendees by presenting Clark with an early award...the 2008 president's award. I think Phipps was so energized by Clark's address that he simply couldn't wait until Saturday night to hand it over to Clark!