Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Category: General

Hello everyone!

I’m so excited to share my first letter with you  as  President of RESNA! For my first letter, I thought it would be best to introduce myself and share a little bit about what RESNA means to me. I hope that my journey will inspire you to become more active in our association, the way I was inspired by my mentors.

I started my career in AT as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, where I was invited to attend my first RESNA Conference by my professor, Mark Strauss. I then went on to grad school at the University of Pittsburgh where I discovered the importance that RESNA would have in preparing me for my professional career. Because I felt that AT was an issue that was not being addressed in our society,  I started an AT company and joined RESNA’s Professional Standards Board to enhance my standing as an AT professional. 

After a few years, I moved into the academic world at TheOhio State University, where I introduced RESNA to my peers and colleagues. Through everything I did, RESNA was there to support me. From certifications to standards, , it was a win-win proposition. I feel like I benefited because RESNA provided me with the credibility and opportunity I needed to advance in my career, and RESNA benefited because I was helping to increase awareness of AT and rehabilitation engineering.  

That has been my goal my entire career, to push AT and RE forward. After countless years with RESNA, I was encouraged by my fellow members (many of whom I consider to be mentors) to take on this leadership role. I fully understand it takes a village. That’s why I encourage you to volunteer, join a PSG or a SIG, post in RESNA Connect, and just get active! I promise you will get out of RESNA what you put into it. , This is an incredible and supportive community, and together we will continue to grow AT and RE!

Thank you,

Carmen DiGiovine, PhD, ATP/SMS, RET