July 7, 2009

 

Bethesda, Maryland - The American Occupational Therapy Foundation has received a generous bequest from the estate of the late Ruth Brunyate Weimer to assist with pursuing its programs in research support, scholarships, education and leadership development.  Ms. Weimer passed away in October, 2008 at her home near Baltimore, Maryland.  She was 92.

 

Ms. Weimer was a former president and Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, serving from 1964 - 1967, and a recipient of the prestigious Eleanor Clarke Slagle lectureship.  Weimer graduated from the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy in 1940 and practiced at Children's Rehabilitation Institute (now known as the Johns Hopkins Kennedy Krieger Institute) for 20 years.  She later earned her Master's degree in education and became acting director and assistant professor at Milwaukee Downer College before assuming a leadership role as chief of the division of occupational therapy at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygience in 1966.  During her career, which spanned 40 years, she helped promote the establishment of existing occupational therapy educational programs in Maryland and published widely.  As a close friend and associate of Wilma L. West, she was deeply dedicated to the founding principles of occupational therapy, and was recognized widely for her leadership.  Towson University conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Ruth Weimer in 1995.  Her legacy lives on through this bequest.

 

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation is a 501c3 charitable, scientific and educational organization established in 1965.  Its mission is to advance research, education, and leadership in the field of occupational therapy and to raise public awareness of the importance of enabling individuals to participate fully in life regardless of their physical, social, mental or developmental circumstances.