AWARDS FEATURE
MERIT AWARDS
Merit Awards were introduced in 2008 to recognise excellence in the RCOT membership . This year , three members were given awards .
Dr Rebecca Khanna Following graduation in 1984 from Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic , and a period of post-graduate study at the Laban Conservatoire at Goldsmith ’ s College , Rebecca began her occupational therapy career in a rotational post at Bassetlaw Health Authority , moving on to Sheffield Children ’ s Hospital .
Later she held a range of senior posts in the Isle of Wight , including development of rehabilitation services at St Mary ’ s Hospital . Moving back to the Midlands , Rebecca became Head II leading occupational therapy teams at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire .
In 1992 , Rebecca gained a remarkable opportunity to commission a new rehabilitation unit in North Warwickshire , initiating occupational therapy services from scratch , where she worked for eight years becoming a district head occupational therapist .
Recognising the value of integrated working and utilising her leadership role , she managed a seamless service throughout local health and social care services , and subsequently became the general manager for allied health professions across three NHS trusts .
Throughout Rebecca ’ s work encouraging lifelong learning amongst colleagues and advancing pre- and post-graduate education of the future workforce remained constant . After 17 years in practice , and with an MSc in Healthcare Policy and Management from University of Birmingham , Rebecca joined Coventry University . During this time , Rebecca was course director , practice education co-ordinator and principal lecturer for occupational therapy .
Developing an interest in interprofessional working , she enjoyed a secondment within the Centre for Inter-professional e-Learning . From 2006 , as associate head , Rebecca focused on student experience , quality enhancement of occupational therapy education , including a period developing faculty-wide inter-disciplinary curricula .
Her scholarship centred on exploring educational policy , governance in higher education , influences of external monitoring and in 2011 , Rebecca was awarded her doctorate from Coventry University .
In 2013 , Rebecca joined the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University as head of quality , subsequently appointed as assistant dean for academic development .
Her cross-institutional development work centred on student involvement in governance , departmental decision-making boards , meaningful approval and quality assurance of courses , flexible learning and academic advising .
Rebecca was instrumental in championing occupational therapy apprenticeships in and outside the university – no accident that Sheffield Hallam and Coventry had the first apprenticeship programmes .
During her substantive career Rebecca has made contributions to regional and national level work in professional and educational standards , accreditation , national conference presentations and as a British Journal of Occupational Therapy reviewer .
She has supported the strategic direction of the Royal College through active membership and as vice chair of the Learning and Development Board and Ethics Committee , alongside steering group work producing revised pre-registration education standards .
As an experienced RCOT accreditor , Rebecca is known for her engaging and facilitative approach enabling course teams to give of their best in an inclusive space .
In the wider professional community Rebecca continues to be influential as an RCOT external assessor , mentor , HCPC visitor and external examiner for pre-registration courses . Having formed her own company , Shared Wisdom Ltd in 2019 , Rebecca currently works as an independent occupational therapist , educational consultant and credentialed coach .
Rebecca told OTnews : ‘ Receiving this is a huge privilege and a pleasure for me , not least as it also highlights that developing the occupational therapy curriculum matters to so many members too .’
Dr Duncan Pentland Duncan is a lecturer in the Division of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies at Queen Margaret University ( QMU ), Edinburgh , and is a member of the Centre for Person-centered Practice Research .
He chose to become an occupational therapist having previously studied history and politics and having held several positions with the NHS in Scotland in non-clinical support roles . He qualified with his MSc in 2008 and thereafter worked in Glasgow with older adult orthopaedic rehabilitation and in acute stroke care .
OTnews October 2021 53