Dr. Karen Barney Last Lecturer

Wednesday April 17^th, 2013

7pm in the BSC 170

 

 

You may already believe that OT is a big deal, but one special woman is making OT famous in  SLU’s greater community. Dr. Barney has been chosen to give THE Last Lecture for this year, which happens to be tonight in the BSC. The university chose Dr. Barney at a pivotal time in our department’s history and in her personal career. 

 

Before my MOT 1 year, I had only seen Dr. Barney’s smiling face in the hallway and had little clue as to what an influential woman she was! Since then, I have learned more about who she is as a teacher, a professional, and a person. I have had the honor to be in the last MOT class that she actively teaches. That’s right, she is no longer teaching, but do not be alarmed, she is not “retiring” in the terms that many Americans tend to think of. In fact, I’m pretty sure she would not, could not, and (in my opinion) should not retire because she is such a power-house of action that a change in occupational pace of life to this extent would be unheard of. Instead, she is focusing her efforts more on research and her passions. She left us students with this message on her retirement:

 

“Teaching will be one of the parts of my life that I will most miss in retirement--the regular contact with students in the classroom.  However, I hope that students will still join me in the field in our developing programs in practice and outcomes research.”

 

She will still actively stay engaged in her numerous life endeavors and asks that students consider engaging in them as well. If you attend her Last Lecture, you will surely learn more, but a brief overview of her life endeavors include:

·         Geriatric occupational therapy practice (45 years of experience!) focusing on health promotion, quality of life issues, occupational justice with marginalized populations, and innovative service models.

·         Crucial involvement since the beginning of the Missouri Gateway Geriatric Education Center in 1991 at Saint Louis University.

·         Project Director for an ongoing cross cultural disability awareness program in Afghanistan.

·         BFFs with a major leader in OT Frank Kronenburg.

She has worked with him and his foundation,

Occupational Therapy without borders. She has ensured

SLU’s involvement and connection with his research

Dr. Barney and Frank Kronenberg
"We're attached at the hip!"
~Dr. Barney

in post-apartheid South Africa.

·         In conjunction with South Africa research, Dr. Barney

continues to be committed to the Saint Louis North

City Initiative, to reduce health inequalities in

underprivileged areas. Few people have thought to

look introspectively at our own context in St. Louis

and connect it to the greater world (South Africa). But

leave it to Dr. Barney to find an opportunity for learning and

addressing issues for those marginalized on the brink of our own society.

·         Speaking of concern for those marginalized on the brink of our society, she also works with the SLU Prison Program as Chair of the Re-Entry Program Committee. Imagine the work that OT could have in rehabilitating and preparing inmates for life outside of the prison. We better believe that meaningful occupations are incredibly rehabilitative and crucial to survival and successful re-entry back into society.

 

I, as an MOT1 student, am incredibly blessed to have met and learned from such an influential woman. I hope that you take the time to hear her Last Lecture on Wednesday. I think that nothing parallels hearing an influential person give a talk on the most important subject that they can think of for their Last Lecture. In particular, Dr. Barney has a unique personality that invites you to join in on every cause that she believes in and instills in you a sense of drive and purpose. I can tell you that you will come way inspired to act and reaffirmed in your decision to join the wonderful career of occupational therapy.

 

And I will end with a quote from Dr. Barney:

“Occupational therapy is one of the best kept secrets for promoting health--WE ARE the QUALITY OF LIFE profession!  Carry the torch and light the world with this message.”

 

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

All the best,

Andrea Webber, MOT1