2021 was another demanding year for all of us at ACOT. I remain in awe of the incredible resilience and adaptability demonstrated by my ACOT colleagues on Council and staff this year. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, we forged ahead with work crucial to ACOT’s mission to protect the public. Highlights from the year include:
- In June 2020, we expressed our commitment to become a more inclusive, diverse and welcoming organization. With the wisdom of Hilkewich et al. (our consulting group), the OT Advisory Panel and the OT Committee, we released the Acting Against Racism and Intolerance Final Report in September 2021. ACOT has accepted all recommendations as presented, and is working to implement the recommendations with the continued support of the AARI Committee. I would like to thank the members of the OT Advisory Panel and OT Committee- this work would not be possible without your guidance.
- As part of our efforts to continuously improve our Continuing Competence Program (CCP), ACOT completed review and evaluations on a percentage of CCP submissions using new review and evaluation guidelines. Sincere thanks to Heidi Knupp (Chair) and the members of the Continuing Competence Committee for their expertise and tireless efforts to update and refresh our CCP.
- Council met in November 2021 to review and update ACOT’s Strategic Plan. ACOT remains on track to achieve the goals set out in our strategic plan by 2023.
- We welcomed a number of new faces to ACOT this year. Dr. Tom Smith and Christie Bergman joined Council as our new Public Members. Anna Yarmon (Complaints Director), Shelley Blair (Administrative Assistant) and Alanna Ferguson (Acting Director, Policy and Practice) joined ACOT staff.
Beginning in January 2022, Council has appointed me (Jennifer) as Council President, and Arwen Caines as Council Vice President. Arwen and I consider it a privilege to serve on the Executive Team, and are committed to continuing an organizational culture of transparency, engagement and collaboration with registrants and the public. On behalf of Council, I would like to thank Andrea Petryk for her service to ACOT.
As we enter a new year and continue to see a rise in Covid-19 cases, we understand and appreciate that difficult times are not yet behind us. In conversations with OTs, key stakeholders and valued partners, we know that OTs across Alberta have worked relentlessly throughout the pandemic to care for clients. Thank you for everything you do to serve Albertans.
On behalf of all of us at ACOT, we wish you a safe and healthy Happy New Year!
Sincerely, Jennifer