As the profession of occupational therapy reaches its 100th birthday in 2017, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) raises a glass to its growing membership as it announces achieving a milestone 60,000 members.

“The continued growth of our membership speaks volumes about the impact the Association is having on advancing the profession and promoting the quality and availability of occupational therapy services to consumers,” says Frederick P. Somers, chief executive officer of AOTA, in a media release.

“Achieving this level of membership demonstrates recognition by practitioners and students of the tremendous support that AOTA provides them as they work to meet the needs of the changing health care system by helping improve health care quality and reducing costs,” he adds.

Founded also in 1917, AOTA, based in Bethesda, Md, represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 213,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide, the release notes.

Its aims are educating the public about and advancing the profession of occupational therapy, promoting the professional development of its members, and assuring quality services. In addition, special emphasis is placed on cultivating membership as part of AOTA’s Vision 2025.

For more information, visit AOTA.

[Source: AOTA]