We are so grateful for our community partners and could not do this work without them. This month we want to highlight the occupational therapy department from MGH Institute of Health Professions. The OT department has been busy serving the Charlestown community in the last few years through a variety of activities.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Eddy, Alexandra Haney, Meghan Costello, Haley Willis, and Kylie Nee, 3rd year occupational therapy doctoral students, have been providing both virtual and in-person yoga sessions for toddlers and youth at the NEW Health Center both in spring of 2021 and spring of 2022. The yoga sessions are about 25 minutes in length, and open to all Kennedy Center families, and target movement, strength, coordination, and mindful breathing. Haley Willis has also served the Coalition by providing mindful yoga and stress-relief education to the youth in the Health Alternatives program at Charlestown High School. At first, the group was hesitant but after a session or two, everyone participated and had a great time with Haley. Most importantly, the group learned a new wellness practice to add to their "toolbox" of coping skills!
As well, under Dr. Cathy Leslie’s mentorship, 3 occupational therapy doctoral students have been involved with implementing a literacy/language program for 4 year olds, and 2 of them are also seeing toddlers at the Kennedy Center with an OT once per week to provide OT in the classroom.
We want to thank the Institute of Health Professions for their support to the Charlestown community.!
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