cOnnecT with Giovanna Boniface

In celebration of CAOT-BC’s 5^th birthday: An interview with CAOT-BC Managing Director, Giovanna Boniface. 

Why did you choose OT as a career?

My path to become an occupational therapist was pretty methodical. I always knew I wanted to work in health-care, however, I wasn’t sure which profession I was most interested in. During my undergraduate degree at UBC (Zoology), I volunteered at UBC hospital for several years in different departments including physiotherapy, social work, nursing and in the ER. But, at the end of the day, it was my work with the occupational therapist that captured my attention and was most aligned to my personal values. Following completion of my Science degree I applied to the OT program at UBC and the rest is history.

What is your favourite thing about working for CAOT-BC?

I feel very privileged to have been able to serve our profession for the past 19 years. While still a student at the OT program, I was invited to join the professional association (then BCSOT) as a board member and have never turned back. I had volunteered for the profession through BCSOT for the first 14 years of my career in one capacity or another and when the opportunity to work for CAOT to develop the BC chapter came up, many of my colleagues suggested I apply as it was right up my alley. Today, it is almost 5 years since I began my work with CAOT and I consider it an honor to serve the profession in my full-time role. I love every aspect of the work with CAOT-BC but meeting with and talking to our amazing occupational therapy community is my favorite part.

What do you like about occupational therapy?

When I first volunteered with an occupational therapist, what resonated most with me was the client-centred nature of the profession as well as the focus on engagement in occupation despite illness or disability. Today, that hasn’t changed much at all. Our profession is uniquely positioned to be a “game changer” in the health care system. With our focus on function, engagement in occupation despite barriers and systems approach to solving problems, I think we are the most effective solution to help the government deliver better health care--delivering better health outcomes, better client satisfaction and cost-effective to boot. It’s great that recent evidence supports  our position to make a difference in the system too (Alvarez, Garrido, Tobar, Prieto, Vergara, Briceno and Gonzalez, 2017; Rogers, Bai, Lavin and Anderson, 2016; Szanton, Leff, Wolff, Roberts and Gitlin, 2016;

What is your personal philosophy about volunteering and giving back to the profession?

As a profession who serves individuals, communities and society, it seems very natural to me that one would give back to the profession. In addition, when I reflect on my path to becoming an occupational therapist, so many OT volunteers have been part of my journey—from my first experience as a volunteer with an occupational therapist to my fieldwork supervisors and colleagues to my current mentors who support me today. I feel a sense of duty to give back to the profession that has given me so much and helped me become the person who I am today.

What do you think will change/shape practice over the next five years?

I think there are many factors that will influence practice in the near future. Probably the most critical factor is the impact of the rising costs of delivering healthcare in the current service delivery model. As a result, meaningful health care transformation is mandatory (and underway), and we will need to be part of the change to stay relevant. OTs will need to articulate and demonstrate their value proposition to the health care system in the context of improved health outcomes, improved client satisfaction and of course, cost effectiveness. Showcasing innovative and successful programs is one strategy to demonstrate the difference OT can make. Another factor to consider is the aging demographic and the services needed to help seniors live independently and safely at home as well as manage chronic health conditions. The government knows that it costs less to deliver heath care at home compared to the hospital, and what better professional to address this than OTs? Other notable factors include government policies and priorities and the influence of technology on health service delivery.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

I live in a boat-access only community in North Vancouver. We have lived in the Indian Arm for 12 years and our family commutes to town by boat every day.

What do you do in your free time?
When I’m not working,  I spend my time on completion of my Master’s of Rehabilitation Science degree, I volunteer with the Canadian Society of Association Executives and spend time with my kids and husband (also an OT) travelling and exploring the world as a family.