As of July 1, Caitlyn Foy, DOT, MOTR/L, took on her new role as director of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program (OTD). Prior to this new role, she was under the mentorship of Fern Silverman, EdD, OTR/L, as the assistant director as they worked together to promote, develop, and direct the OTD program.
Dr. Foy has been accepted into the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Academic Leadership Institute (ALI) for the 2018 - 2019 cohort which begins in August.
The Institute allows its 25 participants the opportunity to grow and develop as academic leaders in the Occupational Therapy profession. Starting with a two-day workshop, the entire course is comprised of seven monthly online modules and facilitated group mentoring sessions. Upon completing ALI, participants receive certification and continuing education credits.
Dr. Foy is excited to be participating in the Institute. She first applied two years ago, when it was only a year old. “It’s even timelier right now for me, now as director, it will take on a whole new meaning,” she said. In just two years, her resume has expanded to include being on more committees in the Salus community, as well as being promoted from instructor to assistant professor and now director; she also had her first paper published last year.
The Institute’s curriculum excites Dr. Foy, but one in particular, about creating a more diverse OT profession, especially grabs her attention. She hopes she can build upon the foundation laid by the University to continue to make the OT program, and ultimately the profession, a more diverse friendly environment through what she learns at the Institute. She’ll also learn more about budgeting and how to be a strong and active advocate for the OT profession as a whole.
Dr. Foy is thrilled to put what she learns through this experience to good use in her new position. “My goal is to continue the growth of the OT Doctoral program here at Salus, and help the OT program at Salus thrive,” she said.