Anguillian therapist, Kniquiah S. Hughes, has been awarded the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OT) degree with highest honours. Dr. Hughes, received her degree during the virtual graduation ceremonies of the University of St. Augustine, Miami, Florida, on Thursday, May 27, 2021.
Daughter of Mrs. Joylynn Hughes and the late Kirk Hughes of South Hill, Dr. Hughes is the first known Anguillian to receive a doctorate in the field of occupational therapy. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at Barry University in 2015, before enrolling in the Masters and subsequently the doctoral OT programme at the University of St. Augustine.
Dr. Hughes, whose focus is on children and geriatrics, completed her clinical internships at the Orlando Regional Medical Center, the VIP Memory Care Pavilion, West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital and Dade Therapy in Florida, as well as the Center for Pediatric Therapies in Virginia.
She returned to Anguilla late last year to complete her Capstone (dissertation) on “Promoting Occupational Performance in Adolescents with Disabilities on Anguilla”. As part of her programme, she volunteered her services and provided training and coaching for the Special Needs Educators of transition-aged youth (adolescents with disabilities transitioning into adulthood) in the Department of Education.
In expressing her appreciation to her parents, family, friends and colleagues, Dr. Hughes noted that while she could have completed her capstone anywhere, she chose her island home – Anguilla – in order to give back to the development of the “Village” who helped to raise her and ensure her success.
Practitioners of Occupational Therapy use individualised evaluations and evidence-based interventions to assist persons of all ages by promoting health and helping them prevent or live with injury, illness or disability. Common interventions include assisting children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, assisting patients recovering from injuries, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
Dr. Hughes, whose work is soon to be published, has already been making presentations at regional and international OT Conferences, including the Association of Caribbean Occupation Therapists and the Florida Occupational Therapy Association. She also plans to present at the American Occupation Therapy Association in Texas and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists in Paris. Dr. Hughes will be practising in Anguilla for the foreseeable future.
– Contributed
