Recipient of the 2018 HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Beverlee C. Melamed

Nominated For: HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Beverlee C. Melamed is a “seasoned” Occupational Therapist qualified to work in Ontario. She has “seen it all”! Her years of experience have demonstrated her compassion for her clients, team and colleagues. Her creativity and insights have resulted in satisfactory accomplishments over the years. Beverlee graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, B. Sc. O.T. Reg (Ont), from McGill University in 1976 and her early years as an Occupational Therapist were in Montreal; and in the Laurentians. Having moved to Toronto in 1993, she started her work with individuals and families, schools and community facilities, who are involved with traumatic injuries. She is the owner/director and one of the acting clinicians of her company, Innovative Rehabilitation/Beverlee C. Melamed & Associates Inc. Beverlee has completed the certification course in Life Care Planning from University of Florida and is certified as a Canadian Certified Life Care Planner (CCLCP). She is a long standing member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO), the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT), the Acquired Brain Injury Association, OBIA, ABI Network, as well as the Ontario Rehab Alliance (ORA). As a volunteer, Beverlee has participated in many activities and has been involved as an integral part of BIST since its origin. She has been awarded “Volunteer of the Year” in 2014 for her work done in BIST activities. She continues to support new volunteers. Beverlee has a modest scholarship in the Laurentians at the Children’s Center that she had started in 1984: this scholarship awards two children each year for their integration efforts in the daycare program.

Beverlee’s practice in rehabilitation and community re-integration, provides services in neurological development and functional rehabilitation. Her practice is based on a neuro-cognitive behavioural approach, using a client/family centered therapy model and she continues to show passion and professionalism for the families and clients she works with who are suffering the effects of an acquired brain injury, physical and emotional sequelae. Her passion for pediatrics has remained with her and she continues to provide consultation, school advocacy meetings and direct supports to students who have learning disabilities, with this work extending directly into the school systems.