Kelly Parmet, occupational therapist assistant at Harris Health System, was named Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant of the Year for 2016 by the Texas Occupational Therapy Association. The award is given to an individual who demonstrates professionalism, leadership and service to the profession at a local, state or national level.
Parmet, COTA, works as a clinical fieldwork coordinator at Harris Health’s Ben Taub, Lyndon B. Johnson and Quentin Mease hospitals overseeing the student placement of occupational therapists in acute, inpatient rehabilitation, geriatrics, mental health, outpatient neurology and outpatient orthopedics.
“We are experts dedicated to improving people’s health, well-being and overall ability to participate in their lives,” she says. “I believe this award shows that we are always looking to enhance the overall delivery of occupational therapy to our patients at Harris Health, as well as, provide patients a quality and gratifying experience.”
The award recipient must have at least five years of experience in occupational therapy and work effectively, demonstrate responsibility and exhibit excellent teamwork. Parmet supervises and mentors many students throughout the year and hosts clinical instructor training courses annually. In 2016, she was recognized as “Clinical Instructor of the Year” by Harris Health. To maintain high-achieving student enrollment in Harris Health’s program, she tracks and communicates with potential candidates at 10 occupational therapy schools.
Parmet regularly volunteers and hosts information booths to educate the public about occupational therapy and is a member of Texas Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. She’s currently serving her second term as treasurer for TOTA’s Gulf Coast East District and is a local and state level representative on the State Board of Texas for the Texas Occupational Therapy Association.
She shares her professional knowledge with colleagues through in-service sessions and quarterly meetings on a variety of occupational therapy topics. In addition to her peers, she hosts information sessions to train nurses, nursing assistant, aides and other support staff on proper body mechanics and mobility techniques.
Parmet is a patron and supporter of the Houston Ballet, enjoys cooking and has a goal of hiking across major bridges in America—her most notable and favorites are the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges. She’s an avid reader, enjoys running and is expecting her first child in April.