Raven Hill is an occupational therapist with Duke University Health System and a teaching assistant in Duke's Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.
In an article written by Alex Haire, she talks about the most rewarding part of her job, where she's been able to make the most impact, and her aspirations for the future of the occupational therapy profession.
"The most rewarding part of my job is tracking my patient's progress alongside them. I imagine it can feel emotionally devastating for a patient to lose independence or function secondary to an injury, illness, or disease. Sometimes, when I meet my patient on day 1, they've already contended with themselves that they'll never return to ‘normal’ life again. With tenacity and perseverance, however, my patients prove to themselves that they can relearn old skills or compensate for limitations. Seeing the change in their affect — from feeling overwhelmed with their medical circumstance, to shifting their perspective and learning how to thrive in spite of physical/cognitive/medical barriers — is incredibly satisfying."