Belonging Works To Your Benefit

Independence can be a wonderful thing, no matter what your profession. But there’s something to be said for strength in numbers.

Thousands of healthcare professionals across Minnesota join professional associations to draw on that strength for camaraderie, mentoring and help in finding jobs.

By Nancy Crotti, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: April 15, 2009 - 11:54 AM

Professional associations also flex their collective muscles in the legislature. This year, the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) is fighting a state budget-cutting proposal that threatens services to vulnerable clients, according to Cathy Brennan, vice president of advocacy for the 850-member organization.

"Eliminating the service doesn't eliminate the need," Brennan says. "It's pretty critical right now that we give our input."

The Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA), which includes more than 750 speech-language pathologists and audiologists, represents members' and clients' interests at the Capitol, too. "And that's obviously very significant in years like this when we're under the knife a little bit," says Melanie Theis, the association's president.

From Politics To Personal

Both associations also help members meet continuing education needs. MOTA sponsors courses and offers special-interest sections in diverse practice areas, including mental health, pediatrics and hand therapy. Members may attend free special-interest sessions, which usually provide continuing education and opportunities to meet others with similar interests, Brennan says. MOTA also will offer Webinars on special-interest topics for its outstate members on its website, www.motafunctionfirst.org.

"A professional association is just a wonderful resource in terms of people and resources and information," says Brennan. "You have access to people; you can find out what jobs are available. The communication is great."

Conferences, Websites Boost Camaraderie

MSHA provides lower-cost continuing education opportunities than outside sources, according to Theis. For instance, members who attend the annual two-day convention pay only the $200 registration fee, which includes continuing education courses on site. MSHA's website, www.msha.net, offers free home-study Web lectures and includes updates on practice and legislative efforts. Members also have access to list-serves based on practice areas such as audiology, education, healthcare, voice and multi-cultural issues.

"Professionals are able to ask clinical and administrative questions and the other members are able to respond and provide input and direction, which is wonderful, especially for our newer grads who have less experience," Theis says.

Professional associations also give members many opportunities to serve and grow as individuals, according to Brennan.

"Many of the skills that I have learned have come through my involvement with the association: Things like leadership skills, being able to speak before a group, being a mentor and mentoring others," she says. "Membership is a great investment."