Gulf Coast East District Officers Chair: Eileen Garza Vice Chair: Kelly Juhrden-Ramey Secretary: Christy Parks Treasurer: Donna Welmaker Council on Development/Public Relations:  Pam Latham Council on Education: Charlene Baize Council on Membership Services: Cheryl Cleary Council on Standards and Practice: Open Council on Legislative and Political Affairs: Jackie Lawrence  OTA Representative: Leslie Lang Special Worker: Ruth Zabransky Members-At-Large: Melinda McGouldrick Student Representative (UTMB): Open Student Representative (HCC): Leah Thibodeaux     Liaisons Beaumont Liaison: Open East Texas Group Liaison: Len Sobel Katy Group Liaison: Julie Harth Upcoming District Meetings All regular district meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month at Shriner's Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, 6977 Main St., 5th Floor Auditorium, unless otherwise noted. Networking begins at 6:30 p.m., with the meetings starting at 7:00 p.m. Parking is free and a light meal will be provided at GCED meetings. For information about GCED meetings, contact Eileen Garza or Charlene Baize . If you are a member of TOTA and would like to be added to the Gulf Coast East District e-mail tree for updates regarding continuing education, job posting, etc., please send an e-mail from the address you would like added to the district chair, Eileen Garza . Additional CE credits are available through attendance at the cluster group meetings. See details below. GCED Meeting Schedule for 2008 Date: January 16, 2008 Topic: Research Panel  Speaker: Graduate students from Texas Woman's University coordinated by Dr. Theresa Smith     Date: February 20, 2008 Topic: Kinesiotaping with the Pediatric Population Speaker: Beth Hancock of the Care Group     Date: March 19, 2008 Topic: Issues before the AOTA Representative Assembly Speaker: Dr. Francie Baxter     Date: April 16, 2008 Topic: Ethics impacting occupational therapy practice  Speaker: Dr. Kitty Reed     Date: May 21, 2008 Topic: Suzanne will present on the current technology being utilized in training and research with individuals using wheelchairs, particularly on the SmartWheel, a data gathering and training support. She will also share some innovative programs that TIRR offers including Camp Xtreme. This presentation will be of interest to all OTs and OTAs who work with children or adults with brain injury and spinal cord injury. Speaker: Suzanne Andrews, OTR Memorial Hermann-TIRR Receive type I or type II CE credits at all district and cluster group meetings. All meetings are free to TOTA members, $20 for OTR and COTA non-members and $5.00 for student non-members. TOTA membership applications are available at meetings. For general information TOTA or district meetings, contact district chair Eileen Garza. If you are a member of TOTA and would like to be added to the Gulf Coast East District email tree for updates regarding continuing education, job postings, etc., please send an email from the address you would like added to District Chair Eileen Garza. Emergency Numbers Gulf Coast East District Meetings  The following numbers are provided to the members of Gulf Coast East District in the event that the evening of a scheduled meeting is accompanied by severe weather or some other emergency. Name District Position Phone Number Eileen Garza Chair (713) 805-5147 C (281) 356-7559 H Charlene Baize Education (713) 521-5953 H (337) 339-1721 C Cheryl Cleary Membership (713) 873-3808 W Ping Law State Treasurer (713)-873-3799 W Judy Robinson State Secretary 713-441-1059 W If the weather is inclement, we will make a determination by 4:00 PM whether to cancel the meeting or not.  If there are weather warnings (severe storms, flash flood, tornado, hurricane, etc) chances are high that we will cancel the meeting.  Please call before driving to Shriner’s. Cluster Group Meetings Too far for the Houston meetings? Start a cluster group! For assistance, contact Eileen Garza.  East Texas Cluster Group (ETC) The North East Cluster is currently inactive pending reorganization. Katy Cluster Group The Katy Cluster Group meetings are held at: Christus St. Catherine Hospital 701 S. Fry Road Katy, TX 77450 Meeting Room B Please check in with the security person at the entrance for directions to the room. Contact Julie Harth by e-mail for further information. Networking begins at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. Katy Cluster Group Meeting Schedule for Spring 2008 Date: January 30, 2008 Topic: Assessment and Treatment of balance issues Speaker: Dr. Helen Cohen, OTR     Date: February 27, 2008 Topic: Occupational therapy in school-based practice Speaker: Jean Polichino, OTR     See Also: Alamo-South District Capital-Centex District Great Plains-West District Rio Grande District Trinity-North District