Susie Haroutounian has always wanted to help people 鈥� she just didn’t plan on inventing something to do it.

The 国产主播 masters of science in occupational therapy student recently took first prize in the student category for her Motorized Bedside Table project at the .

In Haroutounian鈥檚 project entry for the awards, she listed the benefits for patients:

• Increases safety and independence
• Allows client to perform duties – what they like doing without discomfort (reading, etc.)
• Reduces burden of caregiver
• Reduces helplessness (allows patient to feel more independent and do things on their own).

鈥淚t was such a crazy feeling, I didn鈥檛 even think I would win, I just wanted to present the idea!鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was so nice to be recognized by a prestigious award.鈥�

The motorized bedside table was part of her course in assisted technology where MSOT students are challenged with creating a device to assist a person with any diagnosis.

鈥淚 had started thinking of my project way before the term started about what could really help my patients,鈥� she said.

During one of her fieldwork rotations, Haroutounian shared that it was an encounter with a particular patient that really motivated her invention.

鈥淭his patient would always need assistance getting something from her bedside table and I thought 鈥榃hy is it that we have controls for the TV, call button or can move our bed yet we鈥檙e not able to move the bedside table which is used so often?鈥� I couldn鈥檛 believe it didn鈥檛 exist!鈥�

After thoroughly researching the market and determining there was nothing else like it, Haroutounian set out to create a motorized bedside table. She also spoke with other hospital staff during her rotations and was excited by their feedback, and the support from her faculty, especially Professor [Diana] Gantman.

鈥淭here were so many times I wanted to give up on this project, it was so difficult, but I stuck with it and it turned out great,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel this is such an important product that could really benefit a lot of people.鈥�

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.