Mary Beth Kadlec, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, received the New England Occupational Therapy Education Council (NEOTEC) Innovator of Fieldwork Education Award.
 
Kadlec was nominated by her MGH Institute colleagues in the Occupational Therapy department for her work on community-based and collaborative experiences that she provided for the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) students who were participating in two different Level I Fieldwork experiences.
 
"Mary Beth is a valuable instructor and mentor to our students in our Level I Fieldwork courses, and she is regarded highly by students for her preparation, helpful debriefing, and patient-centered attitude," said Emily Eddy, ELOTD Program Director. "Our Fieldwork team wanted to recognize her distinct contributions and nominated her to share the great work she's doing in the community and with our students through her Fieldwork course supervision and support."
 
One of the Fieldwork experiences was in collaboration with the MGB Salem Partial Hospitalization Program, where Kadlec oversaw ELOTD students lead an occupational therapy group using a structured occupational therapy method on adolescents receiving intensive mental health services during the day at the hospital and at home. The other was a collaboration with the Kennedy Center Family Engagement Center, where the ELOTD students were either leading or actively participating in family-centered groups for young children.
 
Kadlec received the award in front of 200 occupational therapy staff and faculty at a ceremony held at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, Mass.