Ivory Rose, OTD, OTR/L: OT in Social Prescribing
In this post, we will learn from Ivory Rose, OTD, OTR/L Dr. Ivory Rose is an occupational therapist and a poet who promotes Social Prescribing. She holds a master’s in occupational therapy from NYU and a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from Boston University. Her passion for “prescribed volunteerism” led her to the field of social prescribing. She has volunteered in various capacities for Social Prescribing USA and enjoys raising awareness amongst occupational therapists about the “hot topic” of social prescribing. Some of her favorite occupations include writing, spoken word poetry, walking in nature, and horseback riding. Ivory has been writing since she was 7 years old and credits the development of her imagination as a writer to her greatest childhood complaint: growing up in rural Van Zandt, Washington without a television. Eager to experience the world outside of her hometown, Ivory has lived in Atlanta, New York City, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic before settling in the greater Los Angeles area.
Q & A with Ivory:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
My favorite occupations fluctuate somewhat with time but many of them can be traced back to childhood. I have been writing since I was 7 and continue to do so. I love spoken word poetry and have performed across the country as well as internationally. Another childhood favorite occupation that I have recently “rediscovered” is horseback riding. I love the horses, the time outdoors, the quiet contemplative state that it often puts me in, and even the smells!
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
I am always happy to spread the word about social prescribing to others in the field of occupational therapy! As far as why this podcast specifically, I believe that as occupational therapists, we are “Uncommon” by nature! I think that we start out as these idealistic creative OTs and sometimes it is the settings we work in and the rising productivity demands that make us feel like we need to fit into a “Common” box. Our bosses, coworkers, and reimbursement systems all have their interpretations of what OT is. But we are inherently uncommon and I truly believe that the future of OT lies in these uncommon settings and roles!
Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve and the needs that you address.
My current (volunteer) roles focus on increasing awareness about the overlap between occupational therapy and the field of social prescribing. I have taken a two-pronged approach to this. One is to increase awareness of occupational therapy amongst people working in social prescribing. The second is to increase awareness of social prescribing amongst occupational therapists! For those unfamiliar with the term, social prescribing is a “hot topic” approach to health and wellness that involves "prescribing" community resources to impact health. These include occupation-based resources such as nature walking clubs, volunteering, art classes, healthy cooking classes, dance groups, fishing clubs, tea drinking groups, etc.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
For as long as I’ve been an OT, I have been really inspired by the healing effects of what I now like to call “helping occupations”. I was in my first week of occupational therapy school at NYU when 9/11 occurred. I was living in a new city and was displaced from my dorm, which was only 2 blocks from the world trade center. It was through being of service that I was able to find some sense of belonging and to feel connected to the greater community around me. Eventually I started to reflect on being in service as a health promoting activity and started to think about how I could apply that with my own patients. I also started to read articles about the health impact of altruism, especially by Dr. Stephen Post who I like to refer to as “the guru of altruism research”. By then I had started engaging my patients in something I now call “Kindness Arts”. I saw first hand how the act of helping others helped my patients. One woman shared with me that coloring cards for others in need was the only thing getting her out of bed in the morning!
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
Fast forward 20 years and that interest led me to complete my post-professional doctorate in OT at Boston University. Through my review of the literature about prescribed volunteerism, I learned about the broader concept of social prescribing, which was really taking off in the UK at that time! Since that, I have continued to pour myself into learning about social prescribing.
Please describe a typical day or OT session at your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?
I really don't have a typical day, which I love! I have volunteered for Social Prescribing USA in several capacities. Some of those projects have included helping to organize a virtual happy hour for their prescribed volunteerism community of practice, supporting the planning and execution of their first ever International Social Prescribing Day virtual event, and creating a padlet of innovative social prescribing programs and initiatives across the U.S. I also do a lot of knowledge dissemination targeted at OT's. LinkedIn has been a huge asset for me as I seek out OTs with overlapping interests, such as Lifestyle Medicine or community health. I also reach out to lots of professors because I think that OT students have the potential to enact major change in the world! I even connect with OTs in countries where social prescribing has not yet reached. I want to invite them to the table so that they are well informed about this growing movement and may choose to take on a leadership role in the implementation of social prescribing in their own countries. Another way that I approach raising awareness is through a substack newsletter to target OTs interested in social prescribing (link below). I have done several events partnered with another wonderful OT, Elisabeth Bahr, to increase awareness amongst OTs about social prescribing. In early June, we produced a virtual book launch with Julia Hotz, the author of The Connection Cure, the first ever book published in the U.S. about social prescribing! (link below) As far as overlapping skills, creativity is a big one! Also, evaluation skills and the ability to approach health and wellness from a holistic and occupation-centered approach is invaluable.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
I’ll start with a success: After I helped to plan and execute Social Prescribing USA’s first Social Prescribing Day event, Adam Hirschfelder, the Director of Public Engagement reached out and asked if I knew of any OTs in the Bay area who may be interested in attending the in person portion of the event. This felt like a big win because it meant that my advocacy is opening the door for OT to be “on the radar” of social prescribing leaders here in the U.S.! As far as challenges, I think the biggest hurdle (which I think is common for many innovative initiatives) is figuring out how to be able to focus full time on a passion project and turn it into a paid career.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
I read a lot! I’m grateful that when I’m really passionate about a topic (like I am about social prescribing and the role of OT) I really don’t tire of learning about it. I also attend conferences, even if I’m the only OT in the room (for example, the International Social Prescribing conference in London). I also look to leaders in our field for guidance, like Dr. Shirley Wells. We presented on the same community health panel at WFOT in Paris in 2022 and I was fortunate enough to be able to attend her OTAC session tying community level health and wellness promotion to the OTPF-4. I learned a lot!
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
Currently I am acting as a volunteer, however I think that grant funding is a great way for OTs to branch into novel community level practice areas. OTs have so many great ideas and skills to offer but may not have the time or expertise in attaining grant funding. I think there should be an institute that guides innovative OTs in finding funding for community and policy level changes! (If anyone knows of one, let me know!) I also think that it’s important to advocate for ourselves when we see job postings and think, “I could do this!” I have seen a hiring manager add OT to the job description after I interviewed for a job!
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Yes, I have a few! 1. Use LinkedIn to your advantage! I think that LinkedIn is a very valuable resource. I am very mindful about connecting with others who share a passion for social prescribing as well as others passionate about “non-traditional” OT. Opening my LinkedIn feed makes me feel so happy and inspired! It has also led to a lot of wonderful connections, just like this one! 2. Focus on being in service. I said this before but I really think that when you are there to serve (rather than to get something in return), people can really feel that! 3. Share and also demonstrate what you as an OT can contribute. Most people just don’t know what we have to offer! Once they see OT in action, they are very likely to see the value.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
I think the biggest misconception that I have been reflecting on lately is that we, as a profession, have to be either invited to the table, or elbow our way there to join others at the table. I feel that when we start with the question, “How can we be of service?” much greater opportunities will open up for us.
How do we find you , follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
My substack newsletter: https://otsocialprescribing.substack.com/
Email address: ivoryhazelrose@gmail.com
My website: www.ivoryhazelrose.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivoryhazelrose
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivory-rose-otd-251564ab/
Please list any resources you would like me to include with your Show Notes (courses, articles, assessments, tools, etc.)
To view my poster from the International Social Prescribing Conference: https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0d1d2400-aa51-4d86-992a-b25e1a339b24_4494x3179.png?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
To purchase the book The Connection Cure by Julia Hotz (mentioned above): https://www.socialprescribing.co/connection-cure
If you are interested in supporting the roll out of social prescribing in the U.S., join the community of practice at Social Prescribing USA at https://socialprescribingusa.com/ (Click on “Join the Movement”). Also, email me!! I would love to meet more OT allies in this work!!
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
THANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!
Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:
https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-series
Sign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREE List of Uncommon OT Practice Settings
https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsot
For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform
BIG THANKS to our sponsors Picmonic & Truelearn. Follow the link below and USE DISCOUNT CODE “TransitionsOT” to Score 20% OFF Your PICMONIC Membership today! https://www.picmonic.com/viphookup/TRANSITIONSOTLBL23
Happy Listening Friends!
Big OT Love!
All views are mine and guests’ own.
Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.
