Catching Up With The NMEDA University of Florida Scholarship Winner

Can you share your initial reaction when you found out you received the scholarship?

I felt honored and grateful to be a recipient of the first [NMEDA] Scholarship. I could not believe that I would be starting the Driving Rehabilitation Therapy Certificate Program at UF thanks to receiving this scholarship. It would otherwise not be possible as just two years ago I completed a bridging Masters Degree Program in Occupational Therapy. Paying out of pocket was not an option for me with one school loan already under my belt and expenses piling up with my older son’s start of college in the same year.

Why did you pursue this specialty field of practice?

While working overseas, I was tasked with assessing the fitness to drive of soldiers returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan using a driving simulator. Even though I lacked proper training then, I thoroughly enjoyed developing the protocols of driving rehabilitation. Ever since I knew I would love to learn more about the driving rehabilitation field of practice.

What would you tell others who are thinking about doing the same?

UF’s Professional Certificate: Driver Rehabilitation Therapy (DRT) program is well designed. It gives students in-depth training and skills to screen, assess, and evaluate drivers who are medically at risk for driving, unfit for driving, or require car adaptations due to various medical conditions and diagnoses. Students learn about available adaptations and have the opportunity to test them. Students also learn to provide evidence-based interventions for experienced licensed drivers representing populations across the lifespan.

What does being the recipient of the NMEDA scholarship mean to you? 

Thanks to this scholarship, I can fulfill my long-awaited professional goal and dream of becoming a driver rehabilitation specialist, a goal I have had since working overseas with active-duty U.S. Army soldiers.

Can you share a significant achievement or milestone you’ve reached since you have been in this program? 

Attending a week-long mentorship at the UF Smart Driver Rehab Center has been a very intense week during which I had an opportunity to observe multiple clinical and on-the-road assessments. It was an amazing learning opportunity and first-hand exposure to what a Driving Rehabilitation Therapist does.

What’s the most memorable or exciting adventure you’ve had since starting your studies?

Quite honestly, since starting the program, which is very intense, I had to put adventures aside for a while. However, soon after completing the program, I am planning to take some time off and do some European travels. I plan to visit Poland, Austria, Croatia and Spain :-)

Do you have any memorable client stories? 

One of the clients that was evaluated was a 91-year-old gentleman. For his age, his skills were quite remarkable. What amazed me, at this age, he wanted to put adaptations to his car due to neuropathy in his feet. Why did he need it? Because he wanted to continue driving his mobile home with his wife across the country as they have been doing for years. It made me realize that the ability to drive independently is such an important activity across the lifespan.

What is your favorite piece of equipment to train clients how to use? 

I haven’t had an opportunity yet to complete behind-the-wheel training, so I am unable to say which equipment is my favorite.

What value do you see in NMEDA’s QAP?

NMEDA is the certifying body for the nationally recognized Quality Assurance Program (QAP), the only accreditation for automobility businesses in North America.

QAP ensures that manufacturers test their products, which have to guarantee safety by abiding by specific, established safety standards.

As a future Driving Rehabilitation Specialist, I will be able to easily locate the business in compliance with QAP, automatically guaranteeing quality and safety.

What does the word “mobility” mean to you? 

In the occupational therapy practice framework, functional mobility is considered an activity of daily living. Mobility is essential for people to meet their daily needs such as going to the grocery store, pharmacy, bank, and medical and/or other appointments. Community mobility is also essential for engaging with friends and family members, whether they live a block, a mile, or a state away.

What are some of your hobbies outside of school and work? 

I enjoy Pilates, hiking and outdoors, skiing: water and downhill, and traveling. While living in Germany for nearly 12 years I travelled with my family to over 20 countries. Travel teaches appreciation for other cultures, allows learning the history of the country visited, broadens the horizons, and teaches tolerance and acceptance for different behaviors, reactions, foods we eat, and more.