OT student is first from UT Health San Antonio to receive TOTA student leader award

By Kate Hunger 

Like a number of her classmates, third-year occupational therapy master’s student Amy Honeck has accumulated an impressive list of volunteer service and leadership positions during her time in the program. 

However, her recent selection to receive the Texas Occupational Therapy Association Student Leader Award is particularly notable.

“She is the first recipient from our university, so that is very exciting,” said Associate Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, Ph.D., OTR, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy.

Honeck, a former special education teacher, received the honor at TOTA’s 2018 Mountain Central Conference, held Nov. 2-4 in Sugar Land, Texas.

Honeck said she is drawn to mental health as she considers her specialty in the career she will launch following her graduation in December.
 
“Mental health has been weighing on my heart,” she said. “It’s where occupational therapy began.”

Honeck’s passion for leadership is rooted in her desire to be an advocate for the profession. The occupational therapy faculty sets a great example, she said.

“They all have been involved,” she said. “It was so motivating.”

Also at the TOTA conference:

•    Clinical faculty member Laura Novak was installed as Legislative and Political Affairs chair for the Alamo South District Board.
•    Honeck presented “Interprofessional Experience at a Maker Event,” with Amy Chang, OTS, and Ana Allegretti, OTR, Ph.D., ATP.
•    Students Amy Chang and Carly Peters presented “Assessments Used in Occupational Therapy Interventions for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review,” with contributing authors Abigail Morales, OTS, and Ana Allegretti, OTR, Ph.D., ATP.
•    Autumn Clegg, Ed.D., OTR, clinical assistant professor was one the presenters of “Transitioning from Traditional Level 1 Experiences: Response to ACOTE’s Call.”