AOTF Vice Chair and NYU Students Support OTs on Frontlines of COVID-19

Kristie Patten Koenig, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, New York University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Vice Chair AOTF Board of Trustees, coordinated with NYU Steidhardt OT students who were eager to support OT's on the COVID-19 frontlines. This new NYU COVID “OuTreach” Team started by gathering feedback from New York City’s hospitals to find out how to best offer support. Their first initiative raised over $4,000 via social media for lunches supplied to OT's at Bellevue Hospital in Manhatten. They also collaborated with students and faculty throughout the NYU OT department to create and send Thank You videos and digital cards. Their collaboration between the hospital and NYU OT also led to donated tablets to help Bellevue patients feel more connected to their families. To show their appreciation, Bellevue’s OTs created a virtual session for the students to share their valuable and unique experiences working with COVID-19 patients. Read more

In addition, Dr. Koenig is a PI of a team at the NYU ASD Nest Support Project that put together resources for families and educators working with students in the NYCDOE’s ASD Nest Program in the transition to remote learning.