Benji Benson of Greenbrier
Benji Benson, of Greenbrier, was named the UCA 2012 Cynthia B. Cole Outstanding Fieldwork Educator of the Year.
The Cynthia B. Cole Outstanding Fieldwork Educator Award is given each year to a practitioner who has demonstrated outstanding performance as an occupational therapist and a fieldwork educator. This award is named after Cole, who provided years of dedicated work as UCA’s Fieldwork Coordinator. Throughout the year, as students participate in their fieldwork experience, they are able to nominate their fieldwork educator for this award. After reviewing several highly qualified nominees, the 2012 Cynthia B. Cole Outstanding Fieldwork Educator Award was given to Benson.
Benson has been a role model for the occupational therapy students at UCA by demonstrating good ethics throughout practice, continuing her education in occupational therapy, and using occupation as the foundation of her practice. When describing her focus during treatment, she stated, “All activities that are performed during treatment should be a building block to the ultimate ’ADL independence’ goal.” Mrs. Benson also discussed her goals as a fieldwork educator by saying, “ I feel it is my responsibility as an occupational therapist to give back to the community, not only by providing therapy services during their hospitalization, but also by sharing my knowledge and experiences with the many students who pass through my door. I remind myself that I was a student once who had to begin somewhere.”
Benson received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2005. Since then, she has worked at Conway Regional Health System, in the areas of home health, outpatient, and rehabilitation with the adult population. She currently works in the acute care setting.