Special Interest Groups

Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Special Interest Group Meeting Please join in! Special Interest Occupational Therapy Groups are a great way to learn and grow in our profession!

See below for a list of groups and meeting times.


Emerging Practice Areas 


Mental Health

 School System Special Interest Group

School / Pediatrics SIG


Western Mass. Mental Health Group


Technology SIG


State Employee Occupational Therapists
North Shore Group for Occupational Therapy Assistants

NEW!
Assistive Technology SIG



    Emerging Practice Areas 

    This SIG will start up again in the Fall.

    For information and questions about the Emerging Practice Group, please contact Nancy Keebler at tcoak@rcn.com.

    Mental Health SIG
    The next Mental Health Special Interest Group will be held on Thursday, September 4th 2008 in the Allen-Riddle Building (room 100) at Newton Wellesley Hospital. This is the first meeting of the new MHSIG year. Networking will begin at 3:30 and the main presentation will begin promptly at 4:00. 
     
    Sharan Schwartzberg, Adjunct Professor of Boston School of Occupational Therapy at Tufts University, will be presenting and leading a discussion about "Leadership and Doctoral Education in Occupational Therapy." 

    - See more information about Sharan Schwartzberg from the Tufts University website.

    Newton Wellesley Hospital is located at 2000 Washington Street in Newton, 02462. Directions to the hospital and the Allen Riddle Building can be viewed and downloaded from the 'vistor information' section on the hospital's website: www.nwh.org. Parking is available in the parking garage; parking vouchers may be available at the meeting. 

    Remember, networking/social will begin at 3:30. Sharan's presentation meeting will begin promptly at 4:00, and announcements/agenda items will be presented at 5:00-5:30; during this time we will discuss ideas about our future meetings.
     
    Please feel free to bring any snacks/beverages to share with our group.
     
    If you have any questions about our upcoming meeting, please contact Matthew Dong at     mddong@hotmail.com or 617-484-0193 ext. 227.


    School System Special Interest Group

    School system therapists and interested individuals come join us!
     
    What? MAOT School System Special Interest Group Meeting

    Why? Why not? Come network with other OT practitioners working in schools! Bring an idea or activity to share!  

    When?          This SIG will start up again in the Fall.

    Where? Meetings are usually held at North Shore Community College, Danvers Campus, Danvers Health Building, Room 123

    Cost? FREE to MAOT members. Non-members $5.00 each. MAOT membership forms will be available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the MAOT web site (Click on Membership on the left margin. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Membership Application). Cost is $75.00 OTR, $60.00 COTA, $30.00 OTS. Remember-your non-member attendance fee can be applied to MAOT membership!

    For more information?

    Karen Hefler, Chairperson
    (V) 978-388-9760
    (F) 978-388-7848
    (E) rta-ot@comcast.net

    Directions to NSCC:
    From the South: Route 1 North to Danvers or Route 95 North to Danvers, Exit 50. From either route follow signs for NSCC onto Route 1 South. Take right onto Ferncroft Road. NSCC Campus first left.

    From the North: Route 95 south to Danvers, Exit 50, Route 1 south. Right onto Ferncroft Road. NSCC campus first left.

    From Route 128 South: Take Route 62 West toward Middleton. Take Route 1 North - passing the Route 95 exit - to Route 1 South (you will essentially be making a U-turn from Route 1 North to South). Take the first right onto Ferncroft Road. NSCC is on your left.

    Once you enter into the driveway, follow the main road, keeping the college buildings on your right, curve around to the right and down a slight hill. Park anywhere in this area. Go into the double set of doors into the Health Building, past a reception desk and straight into sort of circular hallway. Bear to the right and follow around to Room 123.

    IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, GO TO WWW.THEBOSTONCHANNEL.COM FOR SCHOOL AND BUSINESS CLOSINGS.  

    IF NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS CLOSED FOR NIGHT CLASSES, THERE WILL BE NO MEETING!.


         NEW! New School / Pediatrics SIG
    This meeting gathers together occupational therapists working in pediatrics and / or in the schools on a regular basis. Let's meet to help each other with problem solving, increase our knowledge of evidence-based practice, and keep our practices interesting.

    What: Pediatrics SIG meeting
    When: TBA
    Where: New England Medical Center, Boston
    Contact: Claudia Singer, MS, OTR/L,
    e-mail: cs@thebodyatwork.com
    phone: 617-230-0296

    Western Massachusetts Mental Health Special Interest Group
    Schedule for Fall/Winter 2008:

    Tuesday Sept. 16th, 2008 - Sensory Modulation ADM project development updates with Tina Champagne & Networking

    Presenter: Tina Champagne, M.Ed., OTR/L, CCAP
    OT & Counselor Supervisor, Cooley Dickinson Hospital-West 5
    Adjunct Professor, American International College
    Independent Consultant, Champagne Conferences & Consultation
    Visit: www.ot-innovations.com

    Tuesday October 7th, 2008     - Utilizing the revised OT Practice Framework (2008) in MH & Fieldwork Applications

    Presenter: Judith D. Stinson, MS, OTR/L
    Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
    Division of Occupational Therapy
    American International College

    Tuesday November 4th, 2008 - Sensory Modulation & Substance Abuse

    Presenters: Alison Berryman, M.Ed., OTR/L & Tina Champagne, M.Ed., OTR/L
    Alison Berryman, M. Ed., OTR/L:
    Occupational Therapist, Cooley Dickinson Hospital - West 5
    Adjunct Professor, American International College
    For information on Tina Champagne, visit: www.ot-innovations.com

    Tuesday December 2nd, 2008

    Western Massachusetts
    Mental Health Special Interest Group Holiday Party!


    The meetings will continue to be held at Providence Hospital, Holyoke MA From: 5:30-7:00. For more information about the host site visit: http://www.mercycares.com/pages.asp?id=514

    Please contact the Western MA MH SIG Chair, Tina Champagne, for more information via email: tina@ot-innovations.com.


    Technology SIG

    The technology SIG has been restarted. Greg Stelmach is the new technology chair.

    Please contact MAOT at     maot@gis.net for information.


    State Employee Occupational Therapists

    Purpose:Represents OT's and COTAs practicing within the Massachusetts State System.

    Where: Glaven Regional Center in Shrewsbury, 214 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545

    When: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

     Contact person:      Penny Blomgren

    Phone: 413 283-3411 ext. 240

    Email:      pennyblomgren@aol.com


    North Shore Special Interest Group for Occupational Therapy Assistants

    Purpose: Provides opportunities to network, share resources, advocate for the profession and discuss and respond to issues that impact Occupational Therapy.

    The North Shore SIG is currently looking for a Chair for it's special interest group.  If anyone is interested in this position please contact Mary Malone. Meetings will begin shortly after a chair is appointed.      Contact Information: Mary M. Malone MS, OTR/L -- Advisor781 647-5556 maot@gis.net

    Assistive Technology SIG

    Please join us for the Assistive Technology (AT) SIG meeing on:

    - TBD 

    The meeting will be held at:

    Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
    Assistive Technology Center (ATEC)
    (across from elevators on 2nd floor)
    125 Nashua St
    Boston, MA 02114

    For further information, please contact Jennifer Buxton at 617-610-3397


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    MAOT - Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Inc.
     57 Madison     Road - Waltham, MA 02453-6718
     p: 781.647.5556 - f: 781.642.9742 - e: info@maot.org