Episode Summary
Occupational therapy assistants play a vital role in the profession of occupational therapy. Dave Merlo, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH joins me on the show today and shares a glimpse into his career as an occupational therapy assistant. Dave has extensive experience across many areas of the profession, but yet has never worked within the clinic setting. Throughout his career, he has created success in various non-traditional therapy roles, including being a professor at an occupational therapy assistant program and being on the American Occupational Therapy Association Board of Directors. He has also been a huge advocate for the importance of collaboration between occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
Show Notes
Dave and Sarah discuss:
- Volunteering in Haiti
- WFOT Haiti: https://www.wfot.org/member-organisations/haiti-haitian-association-of-occupational-therapists
- Caribbean Occupational Therapy Association: http://www.caribbeanot.com/haiti.html
- Negativity associated with volunteering, especially abroad
- His personal experience with charity
- Empowering and educating others
- Student involvement in international volunteer work
- Conan Without Borders: https://www.netflix.com/title/81020868
- AOTA’s Leaders and Legacy Society: https://www.otleaders.org/
- Generativity
- His path occupational therapy
- OT/OTA Collaborative Workplace Model
- Non-traditional roles as an occupational therapy assistant
- AOTA Boardroom to Classroom: https://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA/Get-Involved/ASD/Boardroom-to-Classroom.aspx
To Connect with Dave:
