Watch the CAOT-BC Chapter Update from CAOT Virtual Conference 2020

Missed our chapter update at the CAOT Virtual Conference 2020? You can watch the recorded webinar to learn more about CAOT-BC and our activities from the past year!

#OT365

CAOT Conference in Niagara Falls: BC Highlights

CAOT-BC was in Niagara Falls last week for another successful CAOT Conference.

Highlights include:

Opening ceremonies with a keynote address from CAOT President Catherine Backman

Trade Show Grand Opening featuring a brand new CAOT marketplace

A CAOT chapter update from CAOT-BC, CAOT-QC and CAOT-North staff

CAOT Award of Merit winner Kim Barthel

CAOT-BC Outstanding OT of the Year Award presented by CAOT-BC Managing Director Tanya Fawkes-Kirby...

...and accepted virtually by winner Janice Duivestein

Isn't technology great!? @Caot_bc Outstanding OT of the Year winner Janice Duivestein delivers an acceptance speech by video. pic.twitter.com/8yTn19RhBZ

— CAOT_ACE (@CAOT_ACE) May 30, 2019

An outstanding Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture by Dr. Susan Forwell

And of course plenty of fun at the social events! 

Be sure to join us next year in Saskatoon May 6-9th! 

#OT365

CAOT Conference Awards Ceremony: BC Highlights

The Awards Ceremony at CAOT Conference in Vancouver included a number of exciting announcements for the BC occupational therapy community.

CAOT-BC is happy to announce that the 2018 Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award recipient is Stephen Epp! Stephen will be giving a speech at the cOnnecT Day in October, stay tuned for more details.

Lori Cyr and Tal Jarus received the CAOT Fellowship Award.

The Fieldwork Educator Award recipient was Holly Hurgesheimer.

As part of the ceremony, incoming CAOT President Catherine Backman received the CAOT pin from Nicola McNaughton.

Dr. Susan Forwell was awarded the Muriel Driver Memorial Lectureship to be delivered at the 2019 CAOT Conference in Niagara Falls.

In addition, CAOT-BC announced the creation of the Dianna Mah-Jones Memorial Grant for Innovation, established in memory of Dianna Mah-Jones, who was a creative and tireless advocate and activist for innovation and excellence in client care. This is an annual grant of up to $500 with the purpose of supporting the BC occupational therapy community in best practice and innovation in direct client care. The grant can be used towards registration fees to any course, workshop, conference, or other educational session that is relevant to the applicant’s area of practice. Applications will be accepted annually between February 15 and May 31.

#OT365

A successful CAOT Conference in Vancouver

With over 700 delegates, the CAOT Conference in Vancouver, BC was a huge success! 

Highlights include: 

An opening ceremony performance by Champagne Quartet and blessings from Elder Roberta Price.

Introduction of the Conference co-convenors and host committee.

The trade show opening featuring local talent provided by Seycove High School, the Grade 9 jazz combo.

ICBC trade show booth and presentation from Senior Director Vito Albanese.

10 Community Partner Tables in attendance including: Tourism Whistler, Rick Hansen Foundation, BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities, BC Wheelchair Sports Association/BC Wheelchair Basketball Society, Brain Injury Canada/Vancouver Brain Injury Association, Pain BC, Neil Squire Society, CanAssist, Disability Alliance BC/ Plan Institute and The Arthritis Society.

Six in person CAOT-BC Practice Network Meetings. 

…Along with many engaging presentations, posters, PIFs, symposiums, and social activities!

A big thank you to the host committee and many volunteers who made this event possible.

Stay tuned for BC highlights from the Awards Ceremony!

#OT365

CAOT-BC Practice Network Meetings at CAOT Conference 2018

Attending CAOT Conference 2018 in Vancouver? Several of the CAOT-BC Practice Networks will be holding in person meetings enabling members to connect face to face.

June 21, 2018 | 12:00-12:55pm

Ergonomics Practice Network

Dysphagia Practice Network

June 22, 2018 | 12:00-12:55pm

Assistive Tech & Seating Practice Network

Leadership Practice Network

Mental Health & Addictions Intervention Practice Network

Pediatric Practice Network

More information available in Conference program under “Lunch Networking”.

#OT365

CAOT-BC Practice Network Meetings at CAOT Conference 2018

Attending CAOT Conference 2018 in Vancouver? Several of the CAOT-BC Practice Networks will be holding in person meetings enabling members to connect in person.

June 21, 2018 | 12:00-12:55pm

Ergonomics Practice Network

Dysphagia Practice Network

June 22, 2018 | 12:00-12:55pm

Assistive Tech & Seating Practice Network

Leadership Practice Network

Mental Health & Addictions Intervention Practice Network

Pediatric Practice Network

More information available in Conference program under “Lunch Networking”.

CAOT Conference registration

#OT365

Become a Community Partner for CAOT Conference 2018!

Are you a non-profit organization with an interest in connecting with occupational therapists? We invite you to join us in Vancouver for the 2018 Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). With an expected attendance of 700 delegates from British Columbia and across Canada, CAOT Conference 2018 will be a great place to connect with practitioners, administrators, educators, researchers, health policy and service planners, and students. 

When: June 21-22, 2018

Where: Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver 

Cost: $399 for 2 days | $199 for 1 day

Partnership includes display table, lunch and breaks for 1 individual. Up to 2 additional people can attend at an additional cost of $99 (1 day) or $179 (2 days).

To apply, complete the Community Partners application form

Questions? Email scharles@caot.ca 

#OT365

CAOT Conference 2018: Community Partners

Are you a non-profit organization with an interest in connecting with occupational therapists? We invite you to join us in Vancouver for the 2018 Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). With an expected attendance of 700 delegates from British Columbia and across Canada, CAOT Conference 2018 will be a great place to connect with practitioners, administrators, educators, researchers, health policy and service planners, and students. 

When: June 21-22, 2018

Where: Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver 

Cost: $399 for 2 days | $199 for 1 day

Partnership includes display table, lunch and breaks for 1 individual. Up to 2 additional people can attend at an additional cost of $99 (1 day) or $179 (2 days).

To apply, complete the Community Partners application form

Questions? Email scharles@caot.ca 

#OT365

CAOT Conference 2018: Call for Volunteers

CAOT Conference is coming to Vancouver in 2018 and this is your chance to get involved! We will need volunteers on all four conference days for several different job descriptions. 

What: CAOT Conference 2018
When: June 20-23, 2018
Where: Sheraton Wall Centre

We are now at maximum volunteer capacity for the conference. We hope you will join us as a delegate. 

#OT365

CAOT Conference 2018: Call for Volunteers

CAOT Conference is coming to Vancouver in 2018 and this is your chance to get involved! We will need volunteers on all four conference days for several different job descriptions. 

What: CAOT Conference 2018
When: June 20-23, 2018
Where: Sheraton Wall Centre

We are now at maximum volunteer capacity for the conference. We hope you will join us as a delegate. 

#OT365

Seeking Abstract Review Board Members

Interested in becoming an CAOT Abstract Review Board member? If you have been a review board member for a journal or conference before, we invite you to apply to join the CAOT Conference 2018 Abstract Review Board.

Timeline:

-Receive assignments on November 2-3, 2017

-Review and send back to CAOT by November 16, 2017

How to apply:

1. Log in to your CAOT profile- https://caot.ca/site/memberhome 

2. Click the "Become a Reviewer" button on the right column under call for abstracts. If you are not a CAOT member, you will have to create an account- https://caot.in1touch.org/client/subscription/subscriptionEdit.html?productId=9550 and then click the "Become a Reviewer" button on the right column under call for abstracts.

Questions? Contact Lisa Sheehan, CAOT Conference and Events Manager 

Tel: 613-523-2268 ext.: 232/ 1-800-434-2268 ext. 232

Email: conference@caot.ca 

Volunteers needed for CAOT Conference 2018 (Vancouver, June 20-23, 2018)

Photo credit: Nick Kenrick. via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

The Vancouver 2018 Conference Host Committee needs your help in a variety of important roles to help plan and deliver a CAOT National Conference to remember!

Social Committee (Chair)

Do you love networking, event and entertainment planning? Do you love social events and have an outgoing personality? We would love for YOU to help us plan and organize fun, engaging, and west-coast themed social events for this exciting upcoming  conference! In the role of Social Committee Chair, you will join the Host Committee, with participation beginning in February 2017.

Coming soon…

We will be looking for volunteers for other committees (chair and participants) including the Accessibility Committee, Volunteer Committee and Marketing Committee with participation beginning in September 2017.

This is your chance to participate and get involved in your CAOT-BC community to give back and be part of an exciting and rewarding experience! We would love to work with you! To volunteer, please send an email to caotbc@caot.ca with “Conference 2018” in the subject line. 

Congratulations to our Award Winning Members!

Karen Walley Hammel, Patti Erlendson and Kathy Corbett receiving their respective awards

BC had a strong presence at the CAOT Conference Awards Ceremony this year in Banff:  

Alison Gerlach, recipient of the Golden Quill Award for her paper “Sharpening our critical edge: Occupational therapy in the context of marginalized populations”.

Karen Whalley Hammell, recipient of the Muriel Driver Memorial Lectureship. Don’t miss Karen’s lecture at CAOT Conference 2017 in Charlottetown, PEI.

Patti Erlendson: CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist

Kathy Corbett: Award of Merit

Jill Olson: Excellence in Fieldwork Education

Sandra Hobson: Helen P. LeVesconte Award for Volunteerism.

Technology for Independent Living (TIL): Citation Award

Arlene Morrison: Citation Award

To all award recipients, thank you for your valued contributions to occupational therapy in BC and congratulations on your well deserved awards!

Announcement: CAOT Conference 2018 will be in Vancouver!

CAOT-BC Needs You!

Call for CAOT Conference 2018 Co-Conveners (two positions available). Conference is coming to Vancouver for 2018, and we need two co-conveners to serve a two year term beginning September 2016. More information about the position is available here. 

If you’re interested, please submit your curriculum vitae along with a one page letter of interest to caotbc@caot.ca by June 1st, 2016.

CAOT Conference 2015- Call for Papers

The call for papers is open! For information on how to submit an abstract or pre-conference workshop, click here.

Deadline is October 1, 2014

Conference location: Winnipeg, MB

Dates: May 27-30, 2015

2014 CAOT Conference- Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities

Lighthouse on the Green, Fredericton

It is hard to believe that that another CAOT conference week has ended. After months of preparation, the week whizzed by in a blink.

For CAOT-BC, the week started with a meeting of the Professional Alliance of Canada (PAC).

May 5-PAC representatives

With representatives from almost all the provinces and territories. Discussions included common issues that occupational therapists and associations are facing across Canada. Topics ranged from funding of public and private health systems, use of advanced practice titles, access to education, emerging areas of practice for occupational therapists, sharing of resources and membership engagement, to name a few.

This was followed by a full-day facilitated session titled, "Getting Social", focusing on considerations for successful social media use for our associations and our profession. Did you know that Facebook is the largest social media network with 1.23 billion monthly active users and approximately 4.5 billion "likes" per day?

May 6- Community CarFit event in Fredericton

Next up, was CarFit, a pre-conference workshop. CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles "fit" them. The program was created by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with AAA (American Automobile Association) and AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association).

CarFit event at a local Fredericton arena parking lot

In partnership with these organizations, CAOT will be supporting CarFit in Canada and these introductory workshops trained our first Canadian CarFit Event Coordinators and CarFit Technicians.

Photo: Giovanna Boniface, OT (CAOT-BC), Elin Schold Davis, OT (CarFit Instructor)

The CarFit workshop was also featured in a local news piece by the CBC.

Click on video to watch news clip (1:45)

CAOT-BC Managing Director Giovanna Boniface, was trained in both of these capacities with the intent of hosting CarFit community events in BC during National Occupational Therapy month in October 2014. Stay tuned for more information about CarFit in BC over the next few months.

The opening ceremony on May 7 featured an inspiring keynote address on the health of our global community by Dr. Colleen O'Connell, MD, FRCPC. Dr. O'Connell says:

"occupation gives meaning and purpose to life, and this is why OTs matter"

"smart doctors surround themselves with OTs"

Another highlight was the Muriel Driver Memorial Lecturer, Dr. Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz, on the topic of meaning perspective transformation.

This lecture was followed by the Awards Ceremony that saw many CAOT members honoured for their outstanding contributions to advancing the profession.

Susan Bonney received the CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award, while Catherine Backman received a CAOT Award of Merit. CAOT-BC congratulates both Susan and Catherine on their achievements!

Conference posters, professional issue forums, extended discussions and other sponsored sessions filled the days from May 8-10, while fun, social events kept conference attendees entertained at night.

2014 Conference Host Committee

Hats off to the conference host committee and co-convenors for their hard work to pull everything together. The "Rock the Market- Bring on the Neon" social event and COTF auction was a hit.

Rock the Market guest

Marcia Finlayson (Zebra hat and clutch winner)

Sue Baptiste, COTF auction model

Rock the Market @ Boyce Farmers' Market

Looking forward, the next CAOT conference will be held in Winnipeg, MB, from May 27-30, 2015. The conference theme is "Occupational Justice: Rising to the Challenge". So mark your calendars, and plan to join us and share your knowledge and strategies for rising to the challenge of enhancing occupational justice in our communities.
 

Conference Registration Now Open

Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities

Welcome from the 2014 Host Committee

The CAOT 2014 Conference host committee and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists welcome you to Fredericton, Atlantic Canada’s riverfront city.  This year’s theme – Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities - is an opportunity for Occupational Therapists to explore enabling strategies that will influence daily practice in order to promote health in their own communities.

Occupational Therapists work with numerous communities and populations with a mutual goal of enabling individuals to be active participants in their daily lives.  This optimization of Occupational Performance is the foundation for building health, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘complete physical, mental and social well-being’.   Healthy communities are based on the individual health of all community participants, and according to the WHO, a healthy community cannot be achieved without the influence of Occupational Therapy. The WHO defines a Healthy Community as "one that is safe with affordable housing and accessible transportation systems, work for all who want to work, a healthy and safe environment with a sustainable ecosystem, and offers access to health care services which focus on prevention and staying healthy.” We are certain that this conference will offer practical skills and techniques that will support your efforts in building healthy communities.  After you have absorbed all of the wealth of knowledge offered by conference presenters, we encourage you to take the opportunity to reflect on your daily practice and how it influences/promotes healthy communities.

You won’t be disappointed with the social activities we have planned for you here in Fredericton beginning with early morning wellness activities to kick start your days.  Join us for a morning run, show us your dance moves with a Zumba class, get your heart racing with an aquasize class, and channel your inner peace with a yoga class, all being led by some of your local OTs.  Dress in your best ‘80s attire and meet us at the Market for the “Rock the Market – Bring on the Neon!” on Thursday night at the famous WW Boyce Farmers Market.  Friday night brings the “Out and About Student Social” where you will have an opportunity to enjoy a tour of the local downtown hotspots.

CAOT Conference 2014 promises to provide you with a Maritime experience like no other.  The city of Fredericton boasts Acadian pride, welcoming hospitality, and an unforgettable sense of community spirit that we hope you will take home with you.  We hope that you embrace all that our city and conference has to offer and you will leave feeling excited and eager to implement all of the new learning into your OT practice.

Enjoy the conference!

Your 2014 Conference Host Committee:
Co-Convenors: Lori Masse & Tara Forster
Committee Chairs: Lilli Lin (Volunteer), Pam McCaskill (Accessibility), Kara Reid (Pre-Conference), Erin MacLean (Registration), Nicole DeLong (Social)

CAOT Conference 2014 Program is now Available

Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities

Browse the conference program and pre-conference workshops--Registration opens on March 1, 2014.

CAOT Conference 2014: Call for Papers

Call For Papers - CAOT Conference 2014, May 7-10, 2014

Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities

Fredericton provides an opportune location for celebrating creative and enabling occupational therapy strategies for mobilizing healthy communities. Known internationally as a green city, Fredericton embraces innovation as a technologically smart city and reaches out to develop an inclusive and active local community. Share your knowledge and strategies for enabling healthy individuals, families, groups and communities in Fredericton. Join us as we reflect on the ways in which occupations promote community health and well-being.

SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 pm EDT ON October 1st, 2013 

Click the appropriate link below to submit:

Occupational therapists / students

Partners

Click here to submit a Pre-conference Workshop Proposal.

What you are talking abOuT...

In this month's edition of What you are talking abOuT, it is all about Conference 2013 feedback. Here is a sample of what you liked most about Conference:

• "I always love the networking, and there is time for that.  Keep that.  I like the informal lunches in the exhibitor's hall, which also promotes staying in the hall. Lots of variety of topics, which was great.  The O/S stream is great -- make this an annual event. Thanks for all your work organizing the conference"

• "The dancing session was a highlight!"

• "I loved the opportunity to network at this conference. There was a great blend of presentation content and academic levels" 

• "I like the variety of topics - wish I could have attended all of the sessions"

• "It was a great event to meet other professionals and discuss experiences and ideas. Also, I appreciated the opportunity to discover different things that are being done in the world of OT that I wasn't aware of"

• "Interesting topics this year - I appreciate the inclusion of provocative topics i.e. assisted suicide"

• "The easy flow between sessions.  I thought it would be a mad house but it was anything but"

• "Enthusiasm of staff and presenters. Opportunities to network. Chance to explore a new city"

• "I liked that presentations for similar areas of practice were spread over all the days so it was fairly easy to attend many things in the same area of practice over the whole conference.   Enjoyed the COTF silent auction!"

• "Opportunity to connect with people from across the country"