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Biddeford

Susan Wehry recognized with Occupational Therapy Advocate Award

Susan Wehry
Susan Wehry, chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at UNECOM

Susan Wehry, M.D., chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, is being recognized for her work to promote the field of occupational therapy (OT) with the 2020 OT Advocate Award, presented by the Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA), an organization actively working to advance the profession of OT in Maine.

Wehry was nominated for the award by Regi Robnett, Ph.D., OTR/L, professor of occupational therapy and associate director of the UNE Center for Excellence in Aging and Health (CEAH).

“Susan is a natural advocate for our profession and deserves to be honored for her commitment to older adults, interprofessional practice, and especially, her love of OT,” Robnett said. “I joke with her that in my view she is an ‘honorary OT.’”

Wehry and Robnett worked together on a research project using technology for people with early stage dementia. They worked with several OT graduate students and one medical student to share various digital technology devices with people living with dementia and their caregivers.

“While Susan endorses interprofessional practice, she seems to especially value what OTs bring to the table,” Robnett stated.

Wehry was the distinguished guest speaker for the Morocco OT Association’s second annual conference, where OTs from Morocco, Europe, and the United States gathered to learn about transforming dementia care.

She will be presented the award at the MeOTA Fall Conference, which will be held virtually via Zoom on November 7.

 

 

 

 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.