Executive Committee
Anu Söderström 2019-2023 President |
I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.
With over 20 years of experience as working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to lead the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession. I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OT s to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.
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Naomi Hankinson 2021-2023 Vice President |
My involvement with COTEC began when I was chair of the council for the British Association of Occupational Therapists in 2009. I have always believed that we achieve more when we work in partnership and collaboration, and the strategic plan which COTEC has developed puts this at its centre.
Whilst my clinical work has always been in mental health and social inclusion I have worked at local, national and international levels, in operational and strategic roles, across the boundaries of health, social care and education. A key focus for me is the support and development of staff – as when staff feel valued they provide better care and treatment for our service users. I am looking forward to working with both the executive team and member organisations to make Occupational Therapy visible and valued across Europe. |
Eva Denysiuk 2020-2022 Vice President Finance |
I became first involved with COTEC during my studies for the MSc European Public Health in 2014. As an active member of my national association, I contacted our delegate and thought with her about ways to contribute to European Occupational Therapy.
The first product of these thoughts was a short report in the COTEC newsletter about a Health Literacy Workshop I attended in Brussels. I have been in contact ever since and was happy to seize the opportunity as the post as VP Finance became vacant. As VP Finance my role includes the monitoring and management of financial matters, e.g. transactions and budgets, of COTEC. Therefore I am in close contact and collaboration to project leaders, member associations’ delegates and the other members of the executive committee. My vision for European Occupational Therapy is to be recognized by all stakeholders as a valued partner. Be it in the health systems of our member states, international research or the policy arena. |
Sarah Warren 2020-2022 Vice-President Administration |
As a bi-cultural OT, I am delighted to be able to contribute to the COTEC Executive Committee. Based in France, I am registered for practice in France and the UK, and I maintain strong professional links in both countries. French is my second language, but I do my best to keep improving it!
I am inspired by OT across cultures, and I hold close to my heart OT practice in diverse (non-traditional) settings, work with homeless people, obesity and vocational rehabilitation. Sarah Warren has resigned from COTEC Executive Committee due to personal issues |
Ann-Marie Morrissey 2020-2024 Executive Committee Member
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I have been lucky to have a diverse career in Occupational Therapy over the past ten years, working in academia, clinical practice and practice education. I am currently working as a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the University of Limerick, Ireland. As a proud Occupational Therapist, I am excited to work towards the development and advancement of our profession throughout Europe. |
Blandine Parc 2020-2022 Executive Committee Member |
Being an OT-Euromaster student (currently in second year), I feel very lucky to be given the opportunity to take part in this new European experience. Meeting OTs from all over Europe has indeed strengthen my professional values and practice. I am very keen on developing occupational therapy in non-traditional settings, especially with homeless and/or displaced persons, but also in the field of sustainability and environment… and I feel these emerging fields of practice can benefit so much from European exchanges!
Blandine Parc has resigned from COTEC Executive Committee due to personal issues |