Download Massachusetts General Hospital

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ANNUAL REPORT
www.MGHOccupationalTherapy.org
2009
Massachusetts General Hospital
Michael G. Sullivan, PT, DPT, MBA
Director, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and MGH Sports Centers
Message from the Director
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
1
The Occupational Therapy Services at Massachusetts
General Hospital, comprised of approximately
40 therapists, most with advanced degrees and
certifications, provides exceptional care to patients
at the hospital’s main campus, the community-based
HealthCare Center in Revere, MGH West in Waltham
and in the Brigham and Women’s/Mass General
HealthCare Center facility in Foxboro.
Occupational Therapy Services at MGH has a rich
history dedicated to delivering comprehensive,
personalized, highly skilled care to the patients
and diverse communities served by the MGH.
These values are shaped by both past and present
leadership. Today, in keeping with these core
values, MGH Occupational Therapists share
a passion for their profession. Our staff thrive
on challenge and high expectations, are committed
to the education of future occupational therapists
and experience career-long professional development
and advancement at MGH.
This past year has been one of continued growth
and evolution. The use of evidence in occupational
therapy practice increasingly shapes the delivery
of care, improving the clinical outcomes for our
patients. Our staff have contributed to the
advancement of practice here at the MGH and
within the profession at large. Increasingly, staff
are recognized for their clinical excellence
in the Clinical Recognition Program. We are
proud to provide you with this publication which
exemplifies excellence in patient care provided
by Occupational Therapists and underscores the
importance of professional and career development.
Please review and celebrate the many
accomplishments of our staff and their numerous
contributions to the various communities of
Massachusetts General Hospital.
Facts and Figures
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
Occupational Therapy Services
Locations
MGH Wang Ambulatory Care Center
Room 127 at MGH Main Campus
15 Parkman Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Telephone: (617) 726-2960
MGH West - Waltham
PARC Building
40 Second Avenue, Suite 360
Waltham, Massachusetts 02451
Telephone: (781) 487-3800
MGH Revere HealthCare Center
300 Ocean Avenue
Revere, Massachusetts 02151
Telephone: (781) 485-6222
Brigham and Women’s/
Mass General HealthCare Center
at Foxborough
Jeannette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, FAAN
Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services
and Chief Nurse Executive at MGH
20 Patriot Place, Suite 220
Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035
Telephone: (508) 718-4040
www.MGHOccupationalTherapy.org
Total Staff Clinical Staff
64
49
Inpatient Service
Patients Visits
7,561
16,724
Outpatient Service
Patients
Visits
5,395
14,501
“My Occupational Therapists
at MGH ‘think outside the box.’
They encouraged me to press forward
with words of confidence and solutions
to everyday hurdles. Together WE
made a nice team. Also I can’t
forget the support staff who, time
and time again, helped me with
scheduling and by having a kind
word...Thank you all!”
Mike F.,
Occupational
Therapy Patient
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
14
Patient Care Services
Committees
Department Committees
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
Attended Magnet Visit for Quality
and Safety Committee
MGH Collaborative Governance
Boston, Massachusetts
February 19, 2008
Committees
Occupational
Therapy Services
Member, LEAN Committee
MGH Revere HealthCare Center
Revere, Massachusetts
January to December 2008
Elizabeth Bridge
MS OTR/L
Jane Evans
Turi Cairney
Suzanne Curley
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
Colleen Lowe, MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Attended Magnet Visit
for Ethics Committee
Chairperson, Speaker Committee for
Occupational Therapy Month
Director of Physical and
Occupational Therapy
Senior Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Aides
MGH Collaborative Governance
Boston, Massachusetts
February 20, 2008
MGH Occupational Therapy Services
Boston, Massachusetts
April 29, 2008
Jennifer Botsford, OTR/L, CHT
Gregory Brennan
Michael Sullivan, PT, DPT, MBA
Julie Burke, OTR/L
Elizabeth Caraballo
Jennifer Cardella, MS OTR/L
Nisha Nagpal
Lauren Cosgrove, MA OTR/L
Erin Swords
Regina Doherty, OTD, MS OTR/L
Kyleen Swords
Carol Mahony, MS OTR/L, CHT
Member, Stephanie Macaluso
Review Board
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Member, Quality Assurance
Committee
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
March 2008 to 2009
Lauren Corbett, MS OTR/L, Chair
Administrative Manager
Carol Mahony, MS OTR/L, CHT
Leslie McLaughlin, MS OTR/L
Nora Hutton, PT, MPH, MBA
Logan Monahan, OTR/L
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
Julie Park, OTR/L, EdM
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
November 2008
Systems Manager
Lauren Corbett
MS OTR/L
Omar Lopez
Practice Manager
Other Committees
Katie Farraher
Clinical Education Coordinator
Amy Orroth, OTR/L, CHT
Monica Pessina, OTR/L, PhD
Katherine Russo, OTR/L, CHT
Stephanie Gallup
Staff Assistant
Wilma Short
Administrative Assistant
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Agnieszka Caissie
Staff Occupational Therapists
Managed Care Rehab Specialists
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
Jaclyn Cyr
Turi Cairney, OTR/L
Donna Furman
Natalie Saccoccia
Ann Jampel, PT, MS
Editorial Advisory Board,
Today in OT Magazine
Staff Educators
Andria Camelio, OTR/L
Mary Knab, PT, DPT, MS
Lauren (Spencer) Corbett, MS OTR/L
Nancy Matesanz, PT, EdM
Maura Desmarais, OTR/L
Clinical Specialists
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
Anne Escher, MS OTR/L
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
Taber Hilton, OTR/L, CHT
Gae Burchill, MHA, OTR/L, CHT
Marjorie Kahn, MS OTR/L
Suzanne Curley, MS OTR/L, CHT
Stephanie Karban, MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
Leslie McLaughlin, MS OTR/L
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
Julie Park, OTR/L, EdM
Christopher Richards, MS OTR/L
Practice Access Coordinators
Nashira Barbosa
Karen Berglund
Elizabeth Colon
Kristen Hill
Kathleen Martell
Kaitlyn Mellman
Cora Nations
David Poindexter
Ann Rowan
Pamela Ryle, MS OTR/L
Call Center Reps
Cara Triggs, OTR/L
Leo Dwyer
Laura White, MS OTR/L
Alena Lyons
Patricia Smith
Logan Monahan
Omar Lopez
Staff
Project Coordinator
Sharon Serinsky, MS OTR/L
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
San Jose, California
October 2008
Julie Park
OTR/L, EdM
Colleen Lowe, MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
Geriatric Task Force
13
Jane Evans, OTR/L, CLT
Anne Escher, MS OTR/L
Laura White, MS OTR/L
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
Clinical Director
of Occupational Therapy
Taber Hilton
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
2
“Obtaining entry-level clinician status, for me, has instilled a sense of confidence in my abilities
as a new clinician while also inspiring me to set goals for on-going advancement of my clinical skills.
The experience has also motivated me to increase my participation in department initiatives
to improve the quality of care provided to our patients.”
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
Reached Advanced Clinician Status
Reached Clinician Status
Reached Entry-Level Clinician Status
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
July 2008
Julie Burke, OTR/L
October 2008
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
September 2008
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
September 2008
“I am grateful to be part
of the MGH community.
I love the MGH environment
of always learning and
striving to do better,
it challenges me daily
to do the best I can
for my patients.”
Clinical Recognition
Program
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
“The process of applying for the distinction of Advanced Clinician
through the Clinical Recognition Program has enhanced my clinical
practice beyond what I could have imagined. It has brought the clinical
skills I took for granted into the forefront of my clinical process and has
provided me with the language to articulate these skills for the growth
and development of my colleagues. I am truly grateful for the
opportunity it provided me to reflect on and celebrate how my
clinical practice has evolved over the years.”
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
3
longevity of MGH employees. The celebration
is held on the Friday in October closest to the
Jessica Ranford
anniversary of the first use of ether as an
Excerpt from Clinician Narrative, March 24, 2008
anesthetic. This first took place at the MGH on
I have been an occupational therapist for eight years, working with neurologically impaired adults in a variety of settings.
I have been at MGH for five and a half years and currently work in the neurology service as a senior occupational
therapist. In this role, I continue to be challenged every day as I serve neurologically impaired patients and provide
guidance and resources to staff therapists and students.
As I obtained the medical data, I began making a mental list of the impairments I might observe such as hemianopsia;
right/left indiscrimination; spatial relations impairments; various agnosias; left neglect syndrome; cognitive impairments
such as short-term memory loss, decreased judgment and insight; and motor and sensory impairments of the left side.
I knew that Teresa had been experiencing a documented left visual field cut, but she was ambulating well with physical
therapy and had minimal nursing needs. The plan at this point was for discharge home in the next 1 to 2 days. Knowing
that Teresa was already doing well, I recognized the importance of obtaining an accurate assessment of Teresa’s higher
level cognition and functional status within her life roles to provide recommendations for discharge. Although I began
scrolling through various ADLs and IADLs in my head that might be challenging enough to elicit the neurobehaviors
indicative of mild impairments, at this point in my career I have adopted a “wait-and-see” approach to assessments.
Regardless of what ADL or IADL I might go into the room intending to engage a patient in, my approach is to allow the
patient to drive the activity. My role, as I see it, is to observe and facilitate and to engage the patient in meaningful tasks
reflective of their life roles and routines.
Gae Burchill
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
Ether Day is a special annual event honoring the
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
When I met Teresa, a 40-year-old woman with a right MCA stroke, she reminded me of the complexities of the brain that
intrigue and challenge me in my work. Upon her admission to MGH, an MRI showed a right MCA stroke and a head CT
showed stable subacute infarcts in the right parietal and occipital lobes. However Teresa’s case was not typical. Further
work-up concluded that Teresa’s stroke was caused by CNS vasculitis, a rare disease that causes inflammation of the
vasculature within the central nervous system. It is important for me to understand the etiology of a stroke because it
will impact the context in which I make discharge recommendations as well as educate a patient and their family about
symptoms, impact on function, recovery and compensatory strategies. Research shows that the neurological symptoms
associated with CNS vasculitis are often transient and may resolve to a complete recovery with proper medical
management. Teresa’s symptoms were improving on steroid treatment and my hope was that she would continue
to improve and possibly recover fully.
Ether Day
October 16th, 1846. Ether Day celebrates the
anniversaries of employees who have served at the
MGH for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,
50 and 60 years.
Ether Day Honorees
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
5 Year Honorees
Occupational
Therapy Services
Leslie McLaughlin
Pamela Ryle
Janet Skolnick
Kathleen Martell
10 Year Honoree
Monica Pessina
15 Year Honoree
Regina Doherty
20 Year Honoree
Gae Burchill
30 Year Honoree
Michael Sullivan
"Throughout my 5 year career at MGH, I have had the opportunity to work
in several different capacities - starting out as an Operations Associate
on Bigelow 9 (RACU) while I attended graduate school for Occupational
Therapy, as a fieldwork student and ultimately now as a Staff Occupational
Therapist on the inpatient service. Working here has afforded me the
opportunity to constantly learn and grow, both as a therapist and
as a person, and to challenge myself on a daily basis."
Leslie McLaughlin
Leslie McLaughlin
MS OTR/L
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
12
Initiatives Outside the Hospital
Logan Monahan
Meghan Paradis
Volunteer Ski Instructors
Nashoba Valley
Adaptive Ski Program
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Logan Monahan
Volunteer Camp Counselor
Children’s Burn Camp
Union, Connecticut
July 12-20, 2008
Westford, Massachusetts
January to March 2008
Kristi Giles
Community Outreach
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
11
“Participating in community
service events takes me out
of my small world and helps
me see the world from
someone else’s point of view.
As a department, through
our health fairs and
community events, we have
many opportunities to spend
a few minutes with people
from a wide variety of
backgrounds. I always learn
something and I hope I am
able to share my knowledge
as well. On an individual
basis, my volunteer experience
as a Timilty pen pal – exchanging
letters with a middle school
student and sharing our life
experiences - has changed the
way I view the world and how
I want to fit into it.”
Janet Skolnick
Middle School Pen Pal
James P. Timilty Middle School
Boston Heart Walk
American Heart Association
Boston, Massachusetts
September 15, 2008
Roxbury, Massachusetts
May 2008
Carol Mahony
Jennifer Cardella, Coordinator
Elizabeth Bridge
Turi Cairney
Lauren Corbett
Lauren Cosgrove
Anne Escher
Kristi Giles
Leslie McLaughlin
Logan Monahan
Meghan Paradis
Jessica Ranford
Rhonda Ratajczak
Christopher Richards
Laura White
Mentor, Women’s Launch Pad
Program
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
September 2007 to May 2008
September 2008 to May 2009
Pediatric Healthcare Fair
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
May 2, 2008
MGH Initiatives
Julie Burke
Carol Mahony
MGH OT Department Staff
MGH Blood Drive
Boston, Massachusetts
Elizabeth Bridge, Coordinator
Andria Camelio, Coordinator
Meghan Paradis, Coordinator
Jessica Ranford, Coordinator
MGH OT Department – All Staff
Greater Boston Food Bank
Boston, Massachusetts
May 28, 2008
MGH OT Department All Inpatient Staff
MGH Haven Project
Boston, Massachusetts
Colleen Lowe, Co-Chair
Janet Skolnick, Co-Chair
Joanna Akladiss
Jane Evans
Taber Hilton
Katherine Russo
Laura White
Ergonomics
Partners Health EXPO
Boston, Massachusetts
June 21-22, 2008
Lauren Cosgrove
MA OTR/L
“Each day, we in the occupational
therapy department have members
of the community come to see
us for individual services.
The community outreach
project that we do each year
gives us a chance to go outside
the walls of the hospital and
into the community to continue
to offer our support on
a greater level.”
When I entered Teresa’s room, my first clinical observation
was that Teresa did not appear to have any impairments.
She was sitting at the edge of her bed watching TV, freshly
showered and fully dressed in her own pajamas. I began
with an occupational profile, which I find is the most
crucial information to have success with a patient and
treat them in a holistic manner. Unique to our profession,
the occupational profile provides the context of a person’s
life roles and routines. I learned that Teresa is a single
mother of three with a son who lives on his own, a
daughter away at college, and a 13-year-old daughter
in high school who is occupied with the typical
extracurricular activities. Teresa works full-time as
a home health aide for an elderly woman with job
responsibilities including managing the laundry, taking
her to appointments, giving her medications and meals,
and providing companionship such as reading to her or
painting her nails. Teresa expressed serious concern about
her ability to perform her work and family responsibilities,
especially driving for herself and her teenage daughter.
This was also an immediate concern for me, given my
knowledge of Teresa’s visual field cut and of how that
impairment might impact her ability to return to driving.
I now had a context in which to apply the potential deficits
back to Teresa’s life outside the hospital. As I had Sheryl,
a level II student, begin an oculomotor assessment,
I observed Teresa become fidgety and mildly irritable.
Sensing Teresa might be annoyed with yet another
examination of her vision, I interrupted Sheryl’s
examination to frame the test within our role as
occupational therapists. I informed Teresa that our role
is to assess how her visual impairments might impact
her ability to resume her previous roles. I also explained
that with this information we would provide her with
compensatory strategies to increase her independence,
as well as resources to assist with those activities she
might not be able to safely resume. Teresa expressed
appreciation and understanding of this explanation and,
when Sheryl resumed her testing, Teresa participated
with new vigor. I was able to categorize Teresa’s primary
complaints as a variety of spatial relations impairments.
Since these skills are also necessary for dressing, I asked
Teresa if she had any difficulty getting dressed even
though she had reported independence previously. Her
immediate response was that it was taking numerous
attempts to dress as she was putting things on “upside
down and inside out.” I feel that my ability to analyze a
task and generalize the components to other activities is
an important and unique role of the occupational therapist.
Teresa looked well put together, but through questioning,
direct observation and activity analysis, I was able to
determine that she was having difficulty with some of the
basic requirements for independent living.
I decided that in order to maximize Teresa’s independence
at discharge, it would be imperative to have a good
understanding of her specific perceptual impairments
in order to provide suggestions and compensatory
strategies. I began to facilitate environmental situations
that require the same spatial relations skills necessary
for Teresa to complete her daily life roles. When Teresa
demonstrated difficulties in an ADL or IADL activity,
I paused to educate her on how the neurobehavior she
was demonstrating was indicative of a specific
impairment. I gave examples of other activities the
impairment might also affect and provided her with
suggestions for compensatory strategies. I have found
this a successful tactic, as patients are best able to retain
information when provided with the opportunity to trial
a more successful strategy. At the end of the evaluation,
Teresa thanked me for taking the time to explain the spatial
impairments she had been experiencing. She shared that
not knowing what they were made her feel like she was
just “going crazy.”
As we left Teresa’s room, I was concerned about the
level of perceptual impairment I had observed. Teresa
demonstrated impairments in form constancy, depth
perception, right/left discrimination, topographical
orientation, and visual spatial agnosia, all of which are
key components necessary for safe driving. I was also
concerned with how these impairments would impact
her ability to maneuver safely in the community, maintain
her household, manage medications and finances, and
complete basic self-care. Even though her symptoms were
improving daily, experience has shown me that perceptual
deficits are much more challenging to remediate than an
isolated visual deficit. Research has shown that early
therapeutic intervention facilitates brain plasticity, which in
time improves long-term functional outcomes. I knew that
getting Teresa set up with an outpatient occupational
therapist as soon as possible would be imperative for
her long-term success. Given Teresa’s multiple
visual-perceptual deficits and their direct impact on her
goal to resume driving, I knew the best outcome would
also require an occupational therapy program specialized
in remediating these types of deficits and completing
on-the-road driving assessments. I facilitated this by
providing Teresa with a list specific outpatient sites in
her area and information on returning to driving available
through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. My other concern
was Teresa’s limited long-term supports and the emotional
stress of suffering a stroke at such a young age. Teresa
would have two sisters from Ohio staying with her for
two weeks to assist her, but I also provided her with
information on stroke support groups in her area geared
towards young survivors of stroke.
At this point, I was confident that my OT evaluation had
prepared Teresa for discharge home. I hoped that, with
the medical management of her CNS vasculitis, she would
continue to improve. In the meantime, I had given Teresa
an understanding of the specific situations that could be
safety concerns, and I had provided her with strategies to
compensate for them. What was especially rewarding for
me in this case was that Teresa expressed how having all
of the information made her feel empowered. In my
opinion, this sense of empowerment was an important
step in Teresa’s quest to return to all of her previous life
roles and regain her independence.
Clinical Recognition
Program
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
4
“Most people who come in contact with the MGH OT staff
Professional Certifications
each day are in pain, greatly fatigued, and under a lot
Cara Triggs, OTR/L
of stress due to their injury. The OT staff brings empathy,
Certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation
encouragement, and practical solutions that make what
can seem insurmountable actually doable.”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
January 2008
Karen B.,
Hand Therapy Patient
Julie Burke, OTR/L
Certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation
Awards, Certifications
& Achievements
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 2008
Awards and Recognition
Julie Burke, OTR/L
NPF Certified
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
5
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
Jennifer Botsford, OTR/L, CHT
Gae Burchill, MHA, OTR/L, CHT
National Parkinsons Foundation
Allied Team Training
Boston, Massachusetts
April 16-20, 2008
Amy Orroth, OTR/L, CHT
Monica Pessina, OTR/L, PhD
Professional Achievements
“Grateful for Skills,
OT Pens Thank-You Note
to Colleagues”
MGH Caring Headlines
Boston, Massachusetts
February 7, 2008
“Maintaining Compassionate Care:
A Companion Guide for Families
Experiencing the Uncertainty of a
Serious and Prolonged Illness”
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Charlestown, Massachusetts
2008
Monica Pessina
OTR/L, PhD, et al
“Does the availability of audio
podcasts enhance the classroom
experience for first year dental
students? Data on use and
perceived benefits.”
Journal of Instructional
Technology & Distance Learning
2008 Vol. 5, No. 8
Lauren Cosgrove
Monica Pessina, OTR/L, PhD (Co-Investigator)
Katherine Russo, OTR/L, CHT
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
August 2008
2008 Partners in Excellence Award Leadership and Innovation
Andria Camelio, OTR/L
Partners HealthCare
Boston, Massachusetts
November 2008
Graduate, MGH Hand and Upper Extremity
Fellowship Program
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
September 2008
2008 Partners in Excellence Award - Patient Care
Partners HealthCare
Boston, Massachusetts
December 2008
MS OTR/L
Laura White
MS OTR/L
“April is Occupational
Therapy Month”
MGH Caring Headlines
Boston, Massachusetts
April 17, 2008
Laura White
MS OTR/L
“Tips and Teaching Tools for
Medication Safety”
MGH Caring Headlines
Boston, Massachusetts
April 17, 2008
Andria Camelio
OTR/L
Regina Doherty
OTD, MS OTR/L
Publications
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
10
MS OTR/L
Leslie McLaughlin
National Institute of Health R21 Research Grant
“Primate Model of Stroke and Recovery in Aging”
Cara Triggs
OTR/L
OTD, MS OTR/L, et al
OTR/L
Taber Hilton, OTR/L, CHT
Carol Mahony, MS OTR/L, CHT
Regina Doherty
MS OTR/L
Julie Burke
Suzanne Curley, MS OTR/L, CHT
Colleen Lowe, MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Laura White
Julie Burke
OTR/L
Lauren Cosgrove
MS OTR/L
Leslie McLaughlin
MS OTR/L
Laura White
MS OTR/L
Staff Promotions
Academic Lecturer
Carol Mahony
MS OTR/L, CHT
Katherine Russo
“Wrist Injuries”
OTR/L, CHT
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
June 2008
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
“Work Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders”
Professional Presentations
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
June 2, 2008
Regina Doherty
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
9
OTR/L, OTD, MS
“Cognitive Evaluation and
Intervention: Theoretical and
Practical Approaches”
Tufts University/Boston
University Collaborative
Annual Student Supervisors
Workshop
Boston, Massachusetts
July 2008
Elizabeth Bridge
MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford
MS OTR/L
Logan Monahan
OTR/L
Laura White
MS OTR/L
“Interactive Reasoning
in Occupational Therapy”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
September 22, 2008
Andria Camelio, OTR/L
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
October 6, 2008
“Traumatic Injuries
of the Upper Extremity”
Colleen Lowe
Intern to Staff Occupational Therapist
Staff Occupational Therapist
to Senior Occupational Therapist
Senior Occupational Therapist
to Clinical Specialist
Julie Burke, OTR/L
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
Jennifer Cardella, MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
Lauren Cosgrove, MA OTR/L
Logan Monahan, OTR/L
Amy Orroth
OTR/L, CHT
Amy Orroth
OTR/L, CHT
“Management of Elbow Injuries”
Academic Lecturer
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
October 27, 2008
Carol Mahony
Katherine Russo
MS OTR/L, CHT
OTR/L, CHT
“Fracture Management”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
September 22, 2008
Suzanne Curley
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Professionalism”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
September 29, 2008
Monica Pessina
OTR/L, PhD
“Physiatry Resident Education
Series: A Six Week Review of
Musculoskeletal Anatomy”
Boston University Medical Center
September/October 2008
Carol Mahony
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Evaluation of the
Upper Extremity”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
November 2008
Joanna Akladiss
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Splinting the Upper Extremity”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
November 18 and 24, 2008
“My therapist is
constantly thinking
outside the box and
pushing the envelope.
Her dedication to
my arm and future
quality of life has
empowered me to
continue with
my fight against
cancer and improve
my situation by
whatever means
it takes.”
Sandra L.,
Occupational Therapy Patient
Elizabeth Bridge
Ann Jampel, PT, MS, Education Coordinator
OT Clinical Instructor Development Program
Ann Jampel brings a wealth of experience in developing teaching
skills to the newly created role of Education Coordinator for the
Occupational Therapy Department. Ann is responsible for the training
and ongoing development of OT clinical instructors, for monitoring
OT student clinical experiences to ensure consistent quality and
MS OTR/L
outcomes, and for working closely with department leadership
Jessica Ranford
to continuously develop the clinical education program.
MS OTR/L
“Evidence-Based Practice
in Occupational Therapy”
“Embedded in the culture at MGH is the commitment to mentor and
to teach our future OT colleagues. As an expert clinical educator,
Ann Jampel skillfully provides guidance to our staff to develop their
competency as clinical instructors. She does so by providing a
teaching format that encourages autonomy and professional growth,
and that actively promotes the OT profession.”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
December 2, 2008
“Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
October 6, 2008
Promotions & Clinical
Instructor Development
Poster Presentation
Monica Pessina
(co-Presenter)
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
OTR/L, PhD
“Does the availability of lecture
video recordings change in-class
attention and learning by first
medical students? Data on use
and perceived benefits.”
“Through the CI training program, Ann mentored me as I explored
my own clinical practice in order to gain insight into my clinical
reasoning process and skills. With her guidance and by exploring
my own clinical practice, I was able to develop the skills needed to
become a more confident and adept Clinical Instructor. As a result,
I was not only able to provide my student with a rewarding first
Level II experience, but was also able to grow as a clinician,
gaining confidence to mentor and supervise future students.”
American Association
of Anatomists Annual Conference
April 2008
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
6
Professional Presentations
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
7
“Occupational Therapy at the MGH has been a wonderful experience that has allowed
me to recover nicely with the personal attention that defines this hospital as a whole.
From my first visit, the entire Occupational Therapy staff has been not only compassionate
and responsive to my needs but also driven - which encourages me a great deal.
The atmosphere here is so upbeat! The administrative and clinical staff is so positive;
you can’t help feel anything but optimistic.”
Jodie F., Occupational Therapy Patient
Invited Speaker
Academic Lecturer
Academic Lecturer
Cara Triggs
Gae Burchill
Jennifer Cardella
OTR/L
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
MS OTR/L
“The Role of Occupational
Therapy with the Pulmonary
Compromised Patient”
MGH Respiratory Care
Conference
Boston, Massachusetts
October 10, 2008
Colleen Lowe
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Amy Orroth
Invited Speaker
Invited Speaker
Invited Speaker
Sharon Serinsky
Andria Camelio
Anne Escher
MS OTR/L
OTR/L
MS OTR/L
“Helping Pre-Schoolers with
Sensory Processing Issues”
Beacon Hill Nursery School
Boston, Massachusetts
March 13, 2008
Lauren Cosgrove
MA OTR/L
“Developmental Care
in the NICU”
NICU Core Lecture Series
MGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Boston, Massachusetts
March 17, 2008
April 28, 2008
Sharon Serinsky
MS OTR/L
“Occupational Therapy
in the School System”
Needham Public Schools
Needham, Massachusetts
April 10, 2008
Katherine Russo
OTR/L, CHT
“Perception of Initial Disability
After Elbow Fracture”
Richard J. Smith MD Memorial
Lecture in Hand Therapy
Boston, Massachusetts
May 17, 2008
Julie Park
OTR/L, EdM
“Developmental Care
in the NICU”
NICU Core Lecture Series
MGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Boston, Massachusetts
May 19, June 23, July 21,
September 15, October 20 and
November 17, 2008
Anne Escher
MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford
MS OTR/L
“Sensory Modulation
for the Elderly and Dementia
Population: OT’s Role”
MGH Lunch and Learn
Boston, Massachusetts
September 24, 2008
“Lighting and Contrast:
Environmental Issues
for Older Adults”
Massachusetts AOTA
Annual Conference
Westford, Massachusetts
September 26, 2008
Kristi Giles
MS OTR/L
“Sensory Modulation”
MGH Psychiatry Unit
Boston, Massachusetts
September 2008
Jane Evans
OTR/L, CHT
“A Case Study:
Sensorimotor Re-education
in the Treatment of Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome”
American Society
of Hand Therapists
Annual Conference
Boston, Massachusetts
October 26, 2008
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
“Rehabilitation in Arthritis”
Harvard Medical School
Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Residency
Didactic Series
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
December 2, 2008
“Flexor Tendons –
Anatomy and Physiology”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
January 28, 2008
Gae Burchill
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
“Hand Rehabilitation Course –
Flexor Tendon Management”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 4, 2008
Suzanne Curley
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Managing Extensor Tendons:
Anatomy”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 10, 2008
Suzanne Curley
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Managing Extensor Tendons:
Injuries and Splint Lab”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 25, 2008
Monica Pessina
OTR/L, PhD
OTR/L, CLT
“Motor Control Theories
and Application”
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Boston University
Sargent College of Health
and Rehabilitation Sciences
March 2008
“HOPES Lecture - Lymphedema”
MGH Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts
October 2008
Colleen Lowe
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Colleen Lowe
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
“Sensation and Sensibility”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
March 24, 2008
Jessica Ranford
MS OTR/L
“A Function-Based Approach
to Cognitive-Perceptual
Assessment: The A-ONE”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
March 27, 2008
Amy Orroth
OTR/L, CHT
“Peripheral Nerve Injuries”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
March 31, 2008
Gae Burchill
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
“Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation:
Wound Assessment
and Management”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
April 7, 2008
Joanna Akladiss
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Dynamic Splinting Lab”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
May 2008
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
“Arthritis and Dupyetren’s
Contracture”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
May 21, 2008
Professional Presentations
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
8
Professional Presentations
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
7
“Occupational Therapy at the MGH has been a wonderful experience that has allowed
me to recover nicely with the personal attention that defines this hospital as a whole.
From my first visit, the entire Occupational Therapy staff has been not only compassionate
and responsive to my needs but also driven - which encourages me a great deal.
The atmosphere here is so upbeat! The administrative and clinical staff is so positive;
you can’t help feel anything but optimistic.”
Jodie F., Occupational Therapy Patient
Invited Speaker
Academic Lecturer
Academic Lecturer
Cara Triggs
Gae Burchill
Jennifer Cardella
OTR/L
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
MS OTR/L
“The Role of Occupational
Therapy with the Pulmonary
Compromised Patient”
MGH Respiratory Care
Conference
Boston, Massachusetts
October 10, 2008
Colleen Lowe
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Amy Orroth
Invited Speaker
Invited Speaker
Invited Speaker
Sharon Serinsky
Andria Camelio
Anne Escher
MS OTR/L
OTR/L
MS OTR/L
“Helping Pre-Schoolers with
Sensory Processing Issues”
Beacon Hill Nursery School
Boston, Massachusetts
March 13, 2008
Lauren Cosgrove
MA OTR/L
“Developmental Care
in the NICU”
NICU Core Lecture Series
MGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Boston, Massachusetts
March 17, 2008
April 28, 2008
Sharon Serinsky
MS OTR/L
“Occupational Therapy
in the School System”
Needham Public Schools
Needham, Massachusetts
April 10, 2008
Katherine Russo
OTR/L, CHT
“Perception of Initial Disability
After Elbow Fracture”
Richard J. Smith MD Memorial
Lecture in Hand Therapy
Boston, Massachusetts
May 17, 2008
Julie Park
OTR/L, EdM
“Developmental Care
in the NICU”
NICU Core Lecture Series
MGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Boston, Massachusetts
May 19, June 23, July 21,
September 15, October 20 and
November 17, 2008
Anne Escher
MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford
MS OTR/L
“Sensory Modulation
for the Elderly and Dementia
Population: OT’s Role”
MGH Lunch and Learn
Boston, Massachusetts
September 24, 2008
“Lighting and Contrast:
Environmental Issues
for Older Adults”
Massachusetts AOTA
Annual Conference
Westford, Massachusetts
September 26, 2008
Kristi Giles
MS OTR/L
“Sensory Modulation”
MGH Psychiatry Unit
Boston, Massachusetts
September 2008
Jane Evans
OTR/L, CHT
“A Case Study:
Sensorimotor Re-education
in the Treatment of Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome”
American Society
of Hand Therapists
Annual Conference
Boston, Massachusetts
October 26, 2008
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
“Rehabilitation in Arthritis”
Harvard Medical School
Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Residency
Didactic Series
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
December 2, 2008
“Flexor Tendons –
Anatomy and Physiology”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
January 28, 2008
Gae Burchill
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
“Hand Rehabilitation Course –
Flexor Tendon Management”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 4, 2008
Suzanne Curley
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Managing Extensor Tendons:
Anatomy”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 10, 2008
Suzanne Curley
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Managing Extensor Tendons:
Injuries and Splint Lab”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 25, 2008
Monica Pessina
OTR/L, PhD
OTR/L, CLT
“Motor Control Theories
and Application”
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Boston University
Sargent College of Health
and Rehabilitation Sciences
March 2008
“HOPES Lecture - Lymphedema”
MGH Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts
October 2008
Colleen Lowe
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Colleen Lowe
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
“Sensation and Sensibility”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
March 24, 2008
Jessica Ranford
MS OTR/L
“A Function-Based Approach
to Cognitive-Perceptual
Assessment: The A-ONE”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
March 27, 2008
Amy Orroth
OTR/L, CHT
“Peripheral Nerve Injuries”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
March 31, 2008
Gae Burchill
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
“Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation:
Wound Assessment
and Management”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
April 7, 2008
Joanna Akladiss
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Dynamic Splinting Lab”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
May 2008
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
“Arthritis and Dupyetren’s
Contracture”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
May 21, 2008
Professional Presentations
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
8
Staff Promotions
Academic Lecturer
Carol Mahony
MS OTR/L, CHT
Katherine Russo
“Wrist Injuries”
OTR/L, CHT
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
June 2008
MPH, OTR/L, CHT
“Work Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders”
Professional Presentations
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
June 2, 2008
Regina Doherty
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
9
OTR/L, OTD, MS
“Cognitive Evaluation and
Intervention: Theoretical and
Practical Approaches”
Tufts University/Boston
University Collaborative
Annual Student Supervisors
Workshop
Boston, Massachusetts
July 2008
Elizabeth Bridge
MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford
MS OTR/L
Logan Monahan
OTR/L
Laura White
MS OTR/L
“Interactive Reasoning
in Occupational Therapy”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
September 22, 2008
Andria Camelio, OTR/L
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
October 6, 2008
“Traumatic Injuries
of the Upper Extremity”
Colleen Lowe
Intern to Staff Occupational Therapist
Staff Occupational Therapist
to Senior Occupational Therapist
Senior Occupational Therapist
to Clinical Specialist
Julie Burke, OTR/L
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
Jennifer Cardella, MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
Lauren Cosgrove, MA OTR/L
Logan Monahan, OTR/L
Amy Orroth
OTR/L, CHT
Amy Orroth
OTR/L, CHT
“Management of Elbow Injuries”
Academic Lecturer
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
October 27, 2008
Carol Mahony
Katherine Russo
MS OTR/L, CHT
OTR/L, CHT
“Fracture Management”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
September 22, 2008
Suzanne Curley
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Professionalism”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
September 29, 2008
Monica Pessina
OTR/L, PhD
“Physiatry Resident Education
Series: A Six Week Review of
Musculoskeletal Anatomy”
Boston University Medical Center
September/October 2008
Carol Mahony
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Evaluation of the
Upper Extremity”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
November 2008
Joanna Akladiss
MS OTR/L, CHT
“Splinting the Upper Extremity”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
November 18 and 24, 2008
“My therapist is
constantly thinking
outside the box and
pushing the envelope.
Her dedication to
my arm and future
quality of life has
empowered me to
continue with
my fight against
cancer and improve
my situation by
whatever means
it takes.”
Sandra L.,
Occupational Therapy Patient
Elizabeth Bridge
Ann Jampel, PT, MS, Education Coordinator
OT Clinical Instructor Development Program
Ann Jampel brings a wealth of experience in developing teaching
skills to the newly created role of Education Coordinator for the
Occupational Therapy Department. Ann is responsible for the training
and ongoing development of OT clinical instructors, for monitoring
OT student clinical experiences to ensure consistent quality and
MS OTR/L
outcomes, and for working closely with department leadership
Jessica Ranford
to continuously develop the clinical education program.
MS OTR/L
“Evidence-Based Practice
in Occupational Therapy”
“Embedded in the culture at MGH is the commitment to mentor and
to teach our future OT colleagues. As an expert clinical educator,
Ann Jampel skillfully provides guidance to our staff to develop their
competency as clinical instructors. She does so by providing a
teaching format that encourages autonomy and professional growth,
and that actively promotes the OT profession.”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
December 2, 2008
“Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
October 6, 2008
Promotions & Clinical
Instructor Development
Poster Presentation
Monica Pessina
(co-Presenter)
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
OTR/L, PhD
“Does the availability of lecture
video recordings change in-class
attention and learning by first
medical students? Data on use
and perceived benefits.”
“Through the CI training program, Ann mentored me as I explored
my own clinical practice in order to gain insight into my clinical
reasoning process and skills. With her guidance and by exploring
my own clinical practice, I was able to develop the skills needed to
become a more confident and adept Clinical Instructor. As a result,
I was not only able to provide my student with a rewarding first
Level II experience, but was also able to grow as a clinician,
gaining confidence to mentor and supervise future students.”
American Association
of Anatomists Annual Conference
April 2008
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
6
“Most people who come in contact with the MGH OT staff
Professional Certifications
each day are in pain, greatly fatigued, and under a lot
Cara Triggs, OTR/L
of stress due to their injury. The OT staff brings empathy,
Certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation
encouragement, and practical solutions that make what
can seem insurmountable actually doable.”
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
January 2008
Karen B.,
Hand Therapy Patient
Julie Burke, OTR/L
Certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity
Rehabilitation
Awards, Certifications
& Achievements
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
February 2008
Awards and Recognition
Julie Burke, OTR/L
NPF Certified
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
5
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
Jennifer Botsford, OTR/L, CHT
Gae Burchill, MHA, OTR/L, CHT
National Parkinsons Foundation
Allied Team Training
Boston, Massachusetts
April 16-20, 2008
Amy Orroth, OTR/L, CHT
Monica Pessina, OTR/L, PhD
Professional Achievements
“Grateful for Skills,
OT Pens Thank-You Note
to Colleagues”
MGH Caring Headlines
Boston, Massachusetts
February 7, 2008
“Maintaining Compassionate Care:
A Companion Guide for Families
Experiencing the Uncertainty of a
Serious and Prolonged Illness”
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Charlestown, Massachusetts
2008
Monica Pessina
OTR/L, PhD, et al
“Does the availability of audio
podcasts enhance the classroom
experience for first year dental
students? Data on use and
perceived benefits.”
Journal of Instructional
Technology & Distance Learning
2008 Vol. 5, No. 8
Lauren Cosgrove
Monica Pessina, OTR/L, PhD (Co-Investigator)
Katherine Russo, OTR/L, CHT
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
August 2008
2008 Partners in Excellence Award Leadership and Innovation
Andria Camelio, OTR/L
Partners HealthCare
Boston, Massachusetts
November 2008
Graduate, MGH Hand and Upper Extremity
Fellowship Program
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
September 2008
2008 Partners in Excellence Award - Patient Care
Partners HealthCare
Boston, Massachusetts
December 2008
MS OTR/L
Laura White
MS OTR/L
“April is Occupational
Therapy Month”
MGH Caring Headlines
Boston, Massachusetts
April 17, 2008
Laura White
MS OTR/L
“Tips and Teaching Tools for
Medication Safety”
MGH Caring Headlines
Boston, Massachusetts
April 17, 2008
Andria Camelio
OTR/L
Regina Doherty
OTD, MS OTR/L
Publications
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
10
MS OTR/L
Leslie McLaughlin
National Institute of Health R21 Research Grant
“Primate Model of Stroke and Recovery in Aging”
Cara Triggs
OTR/L
OTD, MS OTR/L, et al
OTR/L
Taber Hilton, OTR/L, CHT
Carol Mahony, MS OTR/L, CHT
Regina Doherty
MS OTR/L
Julie Burke
Suzanne Curley, MS OTR/L, CHT
Colleen Lowe, MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Laura White
Julie Burke
OTR/L
Lauren Cosgrove
MS OTR/L
Leslie McLaughlin
MS OTR/L
Laura White
MS OTR/L
Initiatives Outside the Hospital
Logan Monahan
Meghan Paradis
Volunteer Ski Instructors
Nashoba Valley
Adaptive Ski Program
Janet Skolnick
OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Logan Monahan
Volunteer Camp Counselor
Children’s Burn Camp
Union, Connecticut
July 12-20, 2008
Westford, Massachusetts
January to March 2008
Kristi Giles
Community Outreach
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
11
“Participating in community
service events takes me out
of my small world and helps
me see the world from
someone else’s point of view.
As a department, through
our health fairs and
community events, we have
many opportunities to spend
a few minutes with people
from a wide variety of
backgrounds. I always learn
something and I hope I am
able to share my knowledge
as well. On an individual
basis, my volunteer experience
as a Timilty pen pal – exchanging
letters with a middle school
student and sharing our life
experiences - has changed the
way I view the world and how
I want to fit into it.”
Janet Skolnick
Middle School Pen Pal
James P. Timilty Middle School
Boston Heart Walk
American Heart Association
Boston, Massachusetts
September 15, 2008
Roxbury, Massachusetts
May 2008
Carol Mahony
Jennifer Cardella, Coordinator
Elizabeth Bridge
Turi Cairney
Lauren Corbett
Lauren Cosgrove
Anne Escher
Kristi Giles
Leslie McLaughlin
Logan Monahan
Meghan Paradis
Jessica Ranford
Rhonda Ratajczak
Christopher Richards
Laura White
Mentor, Women’s Launch Pad
Program
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
September 2007 to May 2008
September 2008 to May 2009
Pediatric Healthcare Fair
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
May 2, 2008
MGH Initiatives
Julie Burke
Carol Mahony
MGH OT Department Staff
MGH Blood Drive
Boston, Massachusetts
Elizabeth Bridge, Coordinator
Andria Camelio, Coordinator
Meghan Paradis, Coordinator
Jessica Ranford, Coordinator
MGH OT Department – All Staff
Greater Boston Food Bank
Boston, Massachusetts
May 28, 2008
MGH OT Department All Inpatient Staff
MGH Haven Project
Boston, Massachusetts
Colleen Lowe, Co-Chair
Janet Skolnick, Co-Chair
Joanna Akladiss
Jane Evans
Taber Hilton
Katherine Russo
Laura White
Ergonomics
Partners Health EXPO
Boston, Massachusetts
June 21-22, 2008
Lauren Cosgrove
MA OTR/L
“Each day, we in the occupational
therapy department have members
of the community come to see
us for individual services.
The community outreach
project that we do each year
gives us a chance to go outside
the walls of the hospital and
into the community to continue
to offer our support on
a greater level.”
When I entered Teresa’s room, my first clinical observation
was that Teresa did not appear to have any impairments.
She was sitting at the edge of her bed watching TV, freshly
showered and fully dressed in her own pajamas. I began
with an occupational profile, which I find is the most
crucial information to have success with a patient and
treat them in a holistic manner. Unique to our profession,
the occupational profile provides the context of a person’s
life roles and routines. I learned that Teresa is a single
mother of three with a son who lives on his own, a
daughter away at college, and a 13-year-old daughter
in high school who is occupied with the typical
extracurricular activities. Teresa works full-time as
a home health aide for an elderly woman with job
responsibilities including managing the laundry, taking
her to appointments, giving her medications and meals,
and providing companionship such as reading to her or
painting her nails. Teresa expressed serious concern about
her ability to perform her work and family responsibilities,
especially driving for herself and her teenage daughter.
This was also an immediate concern for me, given my
knowledge of Teresa’s visual field cut and of how that
impairment might impact her ability to return to driving.
I now had a context in which to apply the potential deficits
back to Teresa’s life outside the hospital. As I had Sheryl,
a level II student, begin an oculomotor assessment,
I observed Teresa become fidgety and mildly irritable.
Sensing Teresa might be annoyed with yet another
examination of her vision, I interrupted Sheryl’s
examination to frame the test within our role as
occupational therapists. I informed Teresa that our role
is to assess how her visual impairments might impact
her ability to resume her previous roles. I also explained
that with this information we would provide her with
compensatory strategies to increase her independence,
as well as resources to assist with those activities she
might not be able to safely resume. Teresa expressed
appreciation and understanding of this explanation and,
when Sheryl resumed her testing, Teresa participated
with new vigor. I was able to categorize Teresa’s primary
complaints as a variety of spatial relations impairments.
Since these skills are also necessary for dressing, I asked
Teresa if she had any difficulty getting dressed even
though she had reported independence previously. Her
immediate response was that it was taking numerous
attempts to dress as she was putting things on “upside
down and inside out.” I feel that my ability to analyze a
task and generalize the components to other activities is
an important and unique role of the occupational therapist.
Teresa looked well put together, but through questioning,
direct observation and activity analysis, I was able to
determine that she was having difficulty with some of the
basic requirements for independent living.
I decided that in order to maximize Teresa’s independence
at discharge, it would be imperative to have a good
understanding of her specific perceptual impairments
in order to provide suggestions and compensatory
strategies. I began to facilitate environmental situations
that require the same spatial relations skills necessary
for Teresa to complete her daily life roles. When Teresa
demonstrated difficulties in an ADL or IADL activity,
I paused to educate her on how the neurobehavior she
was demonstrating was indicative of a specific
impairment. I gave examples of other activities the
impairment might also affect and provided her with
suggestions for compensatory strategies. I have found
this a successful tactic, as patients are best able to retain
information when provided with the opportunity to trial
a more successful strategy. At the end of the evaluation,
Teresa thanked me for taking the time to explain the spatial
impairments she had been experiencing. She shared that
not knowing what they were made her feel like she was
just “going crazy.”
As we left Teresa’s room, I was concerned about the
level of perceptual impairment I had observed. Teresa
demonstrated impairments in form constancy, depth
perception, right/left discrimination, topographical
orientation, and visual spatial agnosia, all of which are
key components necessary for safe driving. I was also
concerned with how these impairments would impact
her ability to maneuver safely in the community, maintain
her household, manage medications and finances, and
complete basic self-care. Even though her symptoms were
improving daily, experience has shown me that perceptual
deficits are much more challenging to remediate than an
isolated visual deficit. Research has shown that early
therapeutic intervention facilitates brain plasticity, which in
time improves long-term functional outcomes. I knew that
getting Teresa set up with an outpatient occupational
therapist as soon as possible would be imperative for
her long-term success. Given Teresa’s multiple
visual-perceptual deficits and their direct impact on her
goal to resume driving, I knew the best outcome would
also require an occupational therapy program specialized
in remediating these types of deficits and completing
on-the-road driving assessments. I facilitated this by
providing Teresa with a list specific outpatient sites in
her area and information on returning to driving available
through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. My other concern
was Teresa’s limited long-term supports and the emotional
stress of suffering a stroke at such a young age. Teresa
would have two sisters from Ohio staying with her for
two weeks to assist her, but I also provided her with
information on stroke support groups in her area geared
towards young survivors of stroke.
At this point, I was confident that my OT evaluation had
prepared Teresa for discharge home. I hoped that, with
the medical management of her CNS vasculitis, she would
continue to improve. In the meantime, I had given Teresa
an understanding of the specific situations that could be
safety concerns, and I had provided her with strategies to
compensate for them. What was especially rewarding for
me in this case was that Teresa expressed how having all
of the information made her feel empowered. In my
opinion, this sense of empowerment was an important
step in Teresa’s quest to return to all of her previous life
roles and regain her independence.
Clinical Recognition
Program
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
4
“Obtaining entry-level clinician status, for me, has instilled a sense of confidence in my abilities
as a new clinician while also inspiring me to set goals for on-going advancement of my clinical skills.
The experience has also motivated me to increase my participation in department initiatives
to improve the quality of care provided to our patients.”
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
Reached Advanced Clinician Status
Reached Clinician Status
Reached Entry-Level Clinician Status
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
July 2008
Julie Burke, OTR/L
October 2008
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
September 2008
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
September 2008
“I am grateful to be part
of the MGH community.
I love the MGH environment
of always learning and
striving to do better,
it challenges me daily
to do the best I can
for my patients.”
Clinical Recognition
Program
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
“The process of applying for the distinction of Advanced Clinician
through the Clinical Recognition Program has enhanced my clinical
practice beyond what I could have imagined. It has brought the clinical
skills I took for granted into the forefront of my clinical process and has
provided me with the language to articulate these skills for the growth
and development of my colleagues. I am truly grateful for the
opportunity it provided me to reflect on and celebrate how my
clinical practice has evolved over the years.”
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
3
longevity of MGH employees. The celebration
is held on the Friday in October closest to the
Jessica Ranford
anniversary of the first use of ether as an
Excerpt from Clinician Narrative, March 24, 2008
anesthetic. This first took place at the MGH on
I have been an occupational therapist for eight years, working with neurologically impaired adults in a variety of settings.
I have been at MGH for five and a half years and currently work in the neurology service as a senior occupational
therapist. In this role, I continue to be challenged every day as I serve neurologically impaired patients and provide
guidance and resources to staff therapists and students.
As I obtained the medical data, I began making a mental list of the impairments I might observe such as hemianopsia;
right/left indiscrimination; spatial relations impairments; various agnosias; left neglect syndrome; cognitive impairments
such as short-term memory loss, decreased judgment and insight; and motor and sensory impairments of the left side.
I knew that Teresa had been experiencing a documented left visual field cut, but she was ambulating well with physical
therapy and had minimal nursing needs. The plan at this point was for discharge home in the next 1 to 2 days. Knowing
that Teresa was already doing well, I recognized the importance of obtaining an accurate assessment of Teresa’s higher
level cognition and functional status within her life roles to provide recommendations for discharge. Although I began
scrolling through various ADLs and IADLs in my head that might be challenging enough to elicit the neurobehaviors
indicative of mild impairments, at this point in my career I have adopted a “wait-and-see” approach to assessments.
Regardless of what ADL or IADL I might go into the room intending to engage a patient in, my approach is to allow the
patient to drive the activity. My role, as I see it, is to observe and facilitate and to engage the patient in meaningful tasks
reflective of their life roles and routines.
Gae Burchill
MHA, OTR/L, CHT
Ether Day is a special annual event honoring the
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
When I met Teresa, a 40-year-old woman with a right MCA stroke, she reminded me of the complexities of the brain that
intrigue and challenge me in my work. Upon her admission to MGH, an MRI showed a right MCA stroke and a head CT
showed stable subacute infarcts in the right parietal and occipital lobes. However Teresa’s case was not typical. Further
work-up concluded that Teresa’s stroke was caused by CNS vasculitis, a rare disease that causes inflammation of the
vasculature within the central nervous system. It is important for me to understand the etiology of a stroke because it
will impact the context in which I make discharge recommendations as well as educate a patient and their family about
symptoms, impact on function, recovery and compensatory strategies. Research shows that the neurological symptoms
associated with CNS vasculitis are often transient and may resolve to a complete recovery with proper medical
management. Teresa’s symptoms were improving on steroid treatment and my hope was that she would continue
to improve and possibly recover fully.
Ether Day
October 16th, 1846. Ether Day celebrates the
anniversaries of employees who have served at the
MGH for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,
50 and 60 years.
Ether Day Honorees
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
5 Year Honorees
Occupational
Therapy Services
Leslie McLaughlin
Pamela Ryle
Janet Skolnick
Kathleen Martell
10 Year Honoree
Monica Pessina
15 Year Honoree
Regina Doherty
20 Year Honoree
Gae Burchill
30 Year Honoree
Michael Sullivan
"Throughout my 5 year career at MGH, I have had the opportunity to work
in several different capacities - starting out as an Operations Associate
on Bigelow 9 (RACU) while I attended graduate school for Occupational
Therapy, as a fieldwork student and ultimately now as a Staff Occupational
Therapist on the inpatient service. Working here has afforded me the
opportunity to constantly learn and grow, both as a therapist and
as a person, and to challenge myself on a daily basis."
Leslie McLaughlin
Leslie McLaughlin
MS OTR/L
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
12
Patient Care Services
Committees
Department Committees
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
Attended Magnet Visit for Quality
and Safety Committee
MGH Collaborative Governance
Boston, Massachusetts
February 19, 2008
Committees
Occupational
Therapy Services
Member, LEAN Committee
MGH Revere HealthCare Center
Revere, Massachusetts
January to December 2008
Elizabeth Bridge
MS OTR/L
Jane Evans
Turi Cairney
Suzanne Curley
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
Colleen Lowe, MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Attended Magnet Visit
for Ethics Committee
Chairperson, Speaker Committee for
Occupational Therapy Month
Director of Physical and
Occupational Therapy
Senior Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Aides
MGH Collaborative Governance
Boston, Massachusetts
February 20, 2008
MGH Occupational Therapy Services
Boston, Massachusetts
April 29, 2008
Jennifer Botsford, OTR/L, CHT
Gregory Brennan
Michael Sullivan, PT, DPT, MBA
Julie Burke, OTR/L
Elizabeth Caraballo
Jennifer Cardella, MS OTR/L
Nisha Nagpal
Lauren Cosgrove, MA OTR/L
Erin Swords
Regina Doherty, OTD, MS OTR/L
Kyleen Swords
Carol Mahony, MS OTR/L, CHT
Member, Stephanie Macaluso
Review Board
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Member, Quality Assurance
Committee
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
March 2008 to 2009
Lauren Corbett, MS OTR/L, Chair
Administrative Manager
Carol Mahony, MS OTR/L, CHT
Leslie McLaughlin, MS OTR/L
Nora Hutton, PT, MPH, MBA
Logan Monahan, OTR/L
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
Julie Park, OTR/L, EdM
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
November 2008
Systems Manager
Lauren Corbett
MS OTR/L
Omar Lopez
Practice Manager
Other Committees
Katie Farraher
Clinical Education Coordinator
Amy Orroth, OTR/L, CHT
Monica Pessina, OTR/L, PhD
Katherine Russo, OTR/L, CHT
Stephanie Gallup
Staff Assistant
Wilma Short
Administrative Assistant
Janet Skolnick, OTR/L, CHT, CLT-LANA
Agnieszka Caissie
Staff Occupational Therapists
Managed Care Rehab Specialists
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
Jaclyn Cyr
Turi Cairney, OTR/L
Donna Furman
Natalie Saccoccia
Ann Jampel, PT, MS
Editorial Advisory Board,
Today in OT Magazine
Staff Educators
Andria Camelio, OTR/L
Mary Knab, PT, DPT, MS
Lauren (Spencer) Corbett, MS OTR/L
Nancy Matesanz, PT, EdM
Maura Desmarais, OTR/L
Clinical Specialists
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
Anne Escher, MS OTR/L
Elizabeth Bridge, MS OTR/L
Taber Hilton, OTR/L, CHT
Gae Burchill, MHA, OTR/L, CHT
Marjorie Kahn, MS OTR/L
Suzanne Curley, MS OTR/L, CHT
Stephanie Karban, MS OTR/L
Jessica Ranford, MS OTR/L
Leslie McLaughlin, MS OTR/L
Meghan Paradis, MS OTR/L
Julie Park, OTR/L, EdM
Christopher Richards, MS OTR/L
Practice Access Coordinators
Nashira Barbosa
Karen Berglund
Elizabeth Colon
Kristen Hill
Kathleen Martell
Kaitlyn Mellman
Cora Nations
David Poindexter
Ann Rowan
Pamela Ryle, MS OTR/L
Call Center Reps
Cara Triggs, OTR/L
Leo Dwyer
Laura White, MS OTR/L
Alena Lyons
Patricia Smith
Logan Monahan
Omar Lopez
Staff
Project Coordinator
Sharon Serinsky, MS OTR/L
Joanna Akladiss, MS OTR/L, CHT
San Jose, California
October 2008
Julie Park
OTR/L, EdM
Colleen Lowe, MPH, OTR/L, CHT
Kristi Giles, MS OTR/L
Geriatric Task Force
13
Jane Evans, OTR/L, CLT
Anne Escher, MS OTR/L
Laura White, MS OTR/L
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
Clinical Director
of Occupational Therapy
Taber Hilton
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
2
Massachusetts General Hospital
Michael G. Sullivan, PT, DPT, MBA
Director, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and MGH Sports Centers
Message from the Director
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
1
The Occupational Therapy Services at Massachusetts
General Hospital, comprised of approximately
40 therapists, most with advanced degrees and
certifications, provides exceptional care to patients
at the hospital’s main campus, the community-based
HealthCare Center in Revere, MGH West in Waltham
and in the Brigham and Women’s/Mass General
HealthCare Center facility in Foxboro.
Occupational Therapy Services at MGH has a rich
history dedicated to delivering comprehensive,
personalized, highly skilled care to the patients
and diverse communities served by the MGH.
These values are shaped by both past and present
leadership. Today, in keeping with these core
values, MGH Occupational Therapists share
a passion for their profession. Our staff thrive
on challenge and high expectations, are committed
to the education of future occupational therapists
and experience career-long professional development
and advancement at MGH.
This past year has been one of continued growth
and evolution. The use of evidence in occupational
therapy practice increasingly shapes the delivery
of care, improving the clinical outcomes for our
patients. Our staff have contributed to the
advancement of practice here at the MGH and
within the profession at large. Increasingly, staff
are recognized for their clinical excellence
in the Clinical Recognition Program. We are
proud to provide you with this publication which
exemplifies excellence in patient care provided
by Occupational Therapists and underscores the
importance of professional and career development.
Please review and celebrate the many
accomplishments of our staff and their numerous
contributions to the various communities of
Massachusetts General Hospital.
Facts and Figures
MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational
Therapy Services
Occupational Therapy Services
Locations
MGH Wang Ambulatory Care Center
Room 127 at MGH Main Campus
15 Parkman Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Telephone: (617) 726-2960
MGH West - Waltham
PARC Building
40 Second Avenue, Suite 360
Waltham, Massachusetts 02451
Telephone: (781) 487-3800
MGH Revere HealthCare Center
300 Ocean Avenue
Revere, Massachusetts 02151
Telephone: (781) 485-6222
Brigham and Women’s/
Mass General HealthCare Center
at Foxborough
Jeannette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, FAAN
Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services
and Chief Nurse Executive at MGH
20 Patriot Place, Suite 220
Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035
Telephone: (508) 718-4040
www.MGHOccupationalTherapy.org
Total Staff Clinical Staff
64
49
Inpatient Service
Patients Visits
7,561
16,724
Outpatient Service
Patients
Visits
5,395
14,501
“My Occupational Therapists
at MGH ‘think outside the box.’
They encouraged me to press forward
with words of confidence and solutions
to everyday hurdles. Together WE
made a nice team. Also I can’t
forget the support staff who, time
and time again, helped me with
scheduling and by having a kind
word...Thank you all!”
Mike F.,
Occupational
Therapy Patient
ANNUAL REPORT
2009
14
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ANNUAL REPORT
www.MGHOccupationalTherapy.org
2009