Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) Honors Leaders

Author: | Sunday June 15, 2008

Annual conference provided an opportunity for education and networking.

Jeannie Lehowicz doesn't just do her job as a rehabilitation professional, she gets personally involved. Based in Washington D.C., she saw a need for returning soldiers to have support as they returned to the civilian workforce.

For the past three years, Lehowicz has provided injured and disabled soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center with suits to wear as they interview for job. She has managed, with the support of friends, neighbors and fellow rehab professionals, to collect over 1,000 gently used women's and men's suits. According to a report on the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals web page, some fifty suits, along with ties, shirts and shoes have been distributed to the soldiers.

The IARP report states that plans call for extending the program throughout the U.S. with the goal of having each chapter contribute at least two suits. The suits go directly to the soldiers and all of the efforts are voluntary.
Donations can be sent to: Suits for Soldiers - IARP, c/o Jeannie Lehowicz, 11431 Hollow Timber Way, Reston, VA 20194.

At the annual IARP conference, held in Washington D.C. in May, there were a number of awards presented.
• Bill Roberts was presented, posthumously to his children, the Individual Professional Member Lifetime Achievement Award. In his long career he was co-founder of the California Association of Rehabilitation Professionals and was the first Chair of the legislative committee that developed a political legislative plan to serve people with disabilities.

• Lon Tekrony was presented the Outstanding Rehabilitation Participant. He has worked diligently to overcome a very serious work injury that was nearly fatal. As an employee for the Traverse Electrical Rural Cooperative he came in contact with a 7,200 volt electric line. He underwent extensive surgeries. While still in the hospital he and his wife worked to help other burn survivors and continues to do so. He has returned to his work as a full time lineman with no restrictions.

As reported in our April issue, Bill England of St. Petersburg, FL, was named the 2007 Outstanding Individual professional member. The award goes to the individual who consistently exemplifies personal qualities and work behaviors/experience for the betterment of people with disabilities.

The Outstanding Insurance Company, Adjuster or Insurance Rehabilitation Nurse honor went to Raisa Mironowski, BSN, RN of Arizona. The award nomination states that "she has revolutionized the approach to interactions with claims personnel".

She speaks six languages and "makes an impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities."

The Outstanding Rehabilitation Educator award was given to Norman Hursh, a professor in rehabilitation counseling at Boston University. He directs the graduate specialization in Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Management.

He has been a mentor to hundreds of graduate students over the years and is a role model to his students.

Outstanding Rehabilitation Community Service Program by a Chapter was awarded to the IARP Washington State Chapter which raised money for the Suits for Soldiers campaign. "This is an example of how one chapter can make a difference."

The Kevin Karr Innovative Rehabilitation Procedure or System honors went to the National EEOC ADA Research Project. The project has produced disability specific, industry specific, region specific and issue specific profiles of workplace discrimination that has a goal to ultimately eliminate discrimination in the workplace.

Ed. Note: The annual IARP conference was held in May in Los Angeles. Visit www.rehabpro.org.