GALVESTON, Texas - Mindy Scott, an occupational therapy student, has been named the Robert K. Bing Occupational Therapy Scholar for 2008-2009. The award recognizes students who demonstrate scholarship beyond what is required and who make professional contributions to their field.
Scott, who is from Highland Village, Texas, has been an occupational therapy student at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston since 2007 and is scheduled to graduate in 2010. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Texas State University in San Marcos.
Her winning proposal is a project to facilitate disease management for persons with celiac disease, who require a gluten-free diet. The project includes a hands-on training program for people who have or who care for someone who has the condition and a "train the trainer" module to help health professionals to learn about day-to-day management for this lifelong condition.
"I was diagnosed with celiac disease five years ago and, while relieved to understand what was wrong, I found few resources and too little support," Scott said. "This scholarship will help me to create greater awareness of celiac disease and gluten intolerance in the health care community and also to provide useful tools and resources to patients who are learning to cope with the disease."
Students who are named Robert K. Bing scholars demonstrate creativity, scholarship and potential for leadership in their profession. They receive an award to cover the cost of tuition, books and laboratory fees. Scott will present her final project results at the annual Robert K. Bing Scholars Ceremony in June 2009.