From the Editor

2017 marks the centennial of many events, organizations and professions. Most notable are: the United States entry into World World I and the battle of Passchendaele, the Russian Revolution, the founding of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, the Virgin Islands becoming part of the United States, and Finland receiving independence.

As for organizations, the Rotary Foundation and the Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy which shortly after became the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) are celebrating their centennial year. I am proud to be a member of both Rotary and AOTA; and thought I would use this From the Editor to share information about both these organizations.

Although Rotary started 110 years ago, the Rotary Foundation (the philanthropic aspect of Rotary) began in 1917. There are 1.2 million Rotary Club members and 35,000+ clubs around the globe. The guiding principles of Rotary are service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership with a focus of service above self in the following areas locally, nationally and globally:

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents over 56,000 members. “…Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy helps people function in all of their environments (e.g., home, work, school, community) and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in occupation” (http://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals.aspx).

Interestingly, as I investigated the number 100, I found that it represents energy that’s self-determined, independent and has infinite potential. Certainly, both Rotary and occupational therapy exemplify these traits.

WORK celebrated its 27th year in 2017 and let’s anticipate that it will someday celebrate its centennial, too.

Now let’s turn our attention to this issue of WORK, which contains 14 articles on a wide range of topics such as occupant experiences of health and comfort in LEED platinum buildings, workplace violence, backpack carriage, ergonomics risk factors in computer work, and work predictors in persons who have experienced a stroke, among many other interesting topics.

On Tuesday, June 20 at 1-2pmEST, Dr. Jessica Leibler, whose article titled, Prevalence of serious psychological distress among slaughterhouse workers at a United States beef packing plant is contained in this issue of WORK, will present a Learn at WORK webinar on this topic.

The 2017 Learn at WORK webinars continue to be well received. If you missed any, you can find the recordings of these complimentary learning experiences at the Learn at WORK YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJalCXvSg9fPHaFFs48PuQ

You can view the complete schedule on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WORKJournal2016/?fref=ts

Here are some upcoming Learn at WORK webinars:

Wednesday, May 10 at 1-2pmEST

Presenters: Stephanie Lagosky, Dr. Doreen Bartlett & Dr. Lynn Shaw

Title: Invisible work of using and monitoring knowledge by parents (end-users) of children with chronic conditions

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4127763842544756227

Tuesday, June 20 at 1-2pmEST

Presenter: Dr. Jessica Leibler

Title: Prevalence of serious psychological distress among slaughterhouse workers at a United States beef packing plant

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/246576856937617923

Tuesday, July 25, 2017 1-2pmEST

Presenters: Dr. Shira Yalon-Chamovitz & Mr. Yoav Kraiem

Title: Deconstructing hierarchies - Service users as co-teachers in occupational therapy education

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/934809563274447875

Thursday, October 19, 2017 1-2pmEST

Presenter: Dr. Julie Dorsey

Title: Re-evaluation of a LEED Platinum Building: Occupant experiences of health and comfort

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8452443241262777347

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 1-2pm

Presenters: The Project Career team composed of: Dr. Phillip Rumrill, Dr. Deborah J. Hendricks, Eileen Elias, Dr. Karen Jacobs, Anne Leopold, Amanda Nardone, Elaine Sampson, Deborah Minton & Dr. Marcia Scherer.

Title: Perceived benefit of iPad apps among college students with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3415532095909897988

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 1-2pmEST

Presenter: Dr. Bex (Rebecca) Twinley

Title: Woman-to-woman rape and sexual assault, and its impact upon the occupation of work: victim/survivors’ life roles of worker or student as disruptive and preservative

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3199989333958415107

Follow us on Twitter @WORK Journal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WORKJournal2016/?fref=ts

As always, I welcome hearing from you.

Cheers,