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LaVonne Fox recalls how she fell in love with the field of occupational therapy.
An occupational therapy brochure described the profession as "Being holistic in helping the whole person, mind, body, and spirit." These words attracted assistant professor and OT Graduate Director at the University of North Dakota, LaVonne Fox, to pursue a degree in occupational therapy, and her students are glad she did.
"LaVonne truly cares about her students and is always willing to go the extra mile as an instructor. She has a tremendous understanding of cultural diversity and the importance of being open and aware. With her knowledge and life experiences, she inspires her students to take risks and be the change they wish to see," say some OT students about Fox’s teaching and relationship with her students.
As an occupational therapist, Fox’s most memorable moments are when her clients achieve a level of independence they didn’t think that they could. When it comes to teaching, Fox hopes her students take with them an understanding and love for life-long learning.
Fox especially enjoys teaching "Multicultural Competency in OT," a class where students develop an understanding and appreciation for cultural and ethnic diversity, although it is also one of her most challenging classes.
"By studying the multicultural aspects of our society, students learn to identify, develop and demonstrate the skills that are essential for cultural competency and to become instrumental in identifying barriers in health care," said Fox.
Fox was the first Grand Forks ATHENA Young Professional Award winner for 2008.
"It was wonderful to be recognized by my colleagues as having contributed to the School of Medicine and community," Fox says. The award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for other women to follow.
Other awards and recognition Fox has received include: The Bush Leadership Fellowship in 2001-2002, Outstanding Year 2 Class Faculty Member 2007-2008, and UND Faculty Stars 2007. She also is working on an article for Home & Community Health SIS, Native American Spirituality: A Truly Holistic Perspective. This article was published in March 2009.
Fox received her bachelor’s degree from UND in OT, her master’s from the College of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, in OT, and her Ph.D. from UND in higher education and leadership. She came to UND in 1994 as an adjunct lecturer and within two years was teaching fulltime.
"The years have flown by because I am doing something I love and working with the best department of faculty and staff around," Fox said.
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