Dr. Suzuki graduated and was qualified in the US. She is the very first Certified Occupational Therapist in Japan with tremendous experience as a practitioner and educator.
She was the first president of JAOT from 1966 to 1979 and during her term she represented JAOT at the WFOT council meetings as the Delegate. She attended the 9th WFOT Council Meeting in 1970 where JAOT was approved to become the Association Member of WFOT. She also contributed to the establishment of the WFOT approved educational programmes in Japan, for example, Sapporo Medical University and Kitasato University.
She received Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award in 1986 for her contribution to the nation, and became the first honorary member of JAOT since 2004. She was the most influential therapist in establishing the foundations of occupational therapy in Japan.
We will always be grateful for Dr. Suzuki’s life and legacy. May her memory continue to inspire us, and may she rest in eternal peace.