Julia Wood, Occupational Therapist, LSVT BIG Faculty
Director of Professional & Community Education at the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA)
Short description of what you do:
I am responsible for the creation of print, video, webinar, and digital education about Lewy body dementia (LBD) for people living with LBD, formal and informal care partners, and a variety of medical and allied health care providers. I survey the LBD community to determine the educational interests and needs, and work to curate resources to address understanding the science, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. I am also responsible for coordinating community and professional conference sessions.
How long have you been with LSVT Global?
I joined the LSVT Global family in 2018 after serving as a lab instructor for 2 years.
What is your favorite part of the job/what do you enjoy most?
The part of my job that brings me the most joy is helping people, families and health care providers understand that there are things that can be done to live fully with a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Many people hear the diagnosis of dementia and think life is over or hear from a health care provider that there is no hope. Highlighting the amazing clinical experts, like my colleagues at LSVT Global, or featuring the lived stories of our community members helps people turn from despair to action. Also, seeing the relief on the faces of health care providers when we share helpful resources for their clinical practice makes me feel that I am improving care for people with LBD.
Tell us a little about yourself!
I grew up on a farm in Western Kentucky, but I have lived in many different areas in the United States. I live with my husband Chris, teen daughter Phoebe, and Bichon Frise Vander in the Philadelphia area. I have an adult daughter who also works at a non-profit and lives in DC. Occupational therapy is a second career for me, following a 15-year career as the entrepreneur of a GYROTONIC and Pilates studio in Washington State. A classically trained dancer, I still enjoy taking dance-based fitness classes, and exploring movement modalities. I love gardening, cooking, and baking, and have a love for all types of ethnic foods and how they can connect you to various cultures.
My favorite quote or favorite food or favorite past time:
My favorite quote is by Robin Williams: “I want to help people be less afraid”. I feel that this quote truly summarizes what I try to do as a clinician and as an educator- empower people with knowledge so they can overcome barriers and live life to its fullest.
It is fitting to highlight our occupational therapist extraordinaire, Julia Wood, during OT month. There is so much depth to Julia in terms of her skills and passions. She has an incredibly expansive breadth of knowledge that serves and links the Parkinson’s, Lewy Body Dementia, and OT communities. She is creative, caring, and dedicated in her work. Julia is always the first in line to collaborate with individuals or organizations and facilitates so many meaningful connections. She is also great fun – always sharing her knowledge and love of culture and food with the team. And she tops it off with a fabulous sense of style! Thank you, Julia, for bringing your light and knowledge to LSVT Global and the people you serve.
– Cynthia Fox, CEO and Co-Founder LSVT Global