Kalahar Selected for Induction into OT Foundation Society

WATERTOWN, SD – Julie Kalahar, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Department Supervisor for Lake Area Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program, has been selected for induction into the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Leaders & Legacies Society. The ceremony will take place during the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Gala in Nashville, TN, on April 17.

To be considered, nominees are required to demonstrate a continuous commitment to the profession through personal involvement in advancing occupational therapy at local, state, and/or national levels. Throughout her career, Kalahar’s contributions to the occupational therapy field have included published field-related articles, presentations at local and state health events, volunteer service to OT and non-OT health organizations, AOTA committee service and leadership roles, and numerous volunteer experiences at local health and non-health related events.

“When I see the list of other members who are being inducted as inaugural members of the Leaders and Legacies Society of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, I cannot believe I am among this list of distinguished individuals,” she said.  “There are true legends of the occupational therapy profession in this group, people I have looked up to for years. I love my profession and work very hard to inspire students and practitioners to be leaders in occupational therapy.”

A graduate of USD’s Occupational Therapy program, Kalahar practiced occupational therapy in area healthcare facilities prior to joining the Lake Area Technical College OTA program in 1998. She has been the OTA program director since 2000.