Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Category: General

Over the last two years I’ve had the honor of serving as the RESNA President, which has awarded me the unique experience of seeing how this living, breathing, and vibrant organization affects the lives of so many individuals, both directly and indirectly. For my final President’s Letter, I want to shine a light on a few stand-out achievements we have accomplished for which I’m particularly proud.

Firstly, this new era RESNA in-person and virtual events.

Over the past five years RESNA hosted online conferences, in-person conferences, Tech Tuesdays, Webinar Wednesdays, and RESNA on the Road. We gathered feedback from current and future members, attendees, solution providers, and organizational partners. We took calculated risks to learn and better our professional organization. As a result of those calculated risks, we are in a better position today to support RESNA stakeholders than we were 5 years ago. To be clear, that isn’t a knock on the past RESNA Boards (of which I was a member), but a clear indicator of a healthy, growing and innovative professional organization.

Secondly, the growing influence of our AT Journal under the leadership of Emma Smith. 

I’ve had the opportunity to work in multiple service delivery settings throughout my career (e.g., mobile AT clinic, center-based clinic, primary and secondary education, and academic medical center), and held a multitude of roles (rehabilitation engineer, supplier, educator, and researcher).  Literature has played a significant role in my career, whether it is HBR or IEEE TNRE, but through it all the AT Journal has been (and will continue to be) the foundation of our profession, industry, and research. If you haven’t looked at it lately, check it out. And if you think it is only designed for academics, check out the editorials. I’m positive you will find something that resonates with you and provides you with valuable insights.

Lastly, the people that make RESNA a living and breathing organization. 

In 2005 when I decided to start a rehabilitation engineering consulting firm, I decided that I wanted to take on a leadership role with this organization. I didn’t realize how hard it would be at the time, because I don’t believe anyone can really appreciate what is involved in a new job, role opportunity, or adventure until you have lived it. This RESNA community supported me throughout, especially over the past two years during my term as President. I read books, listened to podcasts, downloaded articles, attended workshops, and met with mentors in preparation for this opportunity to serve the RESNA community.  None of that preparation compares to the support and guidance of the RESNA staff and volunteers. I learned so much from them, and applied this new knowledge in all of my professional activities.

So here is my ask of you - When you are looking to take on a new AT or RE adventure, or need support in this wonderful field, reach out to a RESNA member or staff.  Lean into the organization. When there is a call for volunteers, take action. Your return on investment will be 10-fold because of the people and culture within the organization.

As I finish my term, I want to thank all the RESNA staff, volunteers, members, certificants, and collaborators who have made this the best experience of my professional career. I have learned so much from you that I will carry forward as a leader, mentor, sponsor, coach, and ally.

Thank you for letting me serve as RESNA president over the past two years. It truly has been an honor and a privilege to represent this incredible organization. And I'm truly excited to see where the organization is headed, with your guidance and input.

Sincerely,

Carmen