Medfield Resident Receives Professional Contribution Award

Press release from Boston University:

May 29 2020

Ali Gold of Medfield, Mass. was honored with the Professional Contribution Award from Boston University (BU) College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College at an online Senior Awards Reception on Friday, May 15, 2020. This award is given to students who show great potential professionally through scholarship, research, clinical experience, and promotion of one’s program to the community.

An alumnus of Medfield High School, Gold graduated from BU, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science in health science and minor in psychology.

“Ali is one of the finest examples of how students at Sargent College are mentored to thrive and give back to the community,” said Professor and Health Sciences Department Chair Paula Quatromoni. “I could not be more proud of what she has achieved personally, professionally, and for humankind through her efforts to impact mental healthcare on all levels, through scholarship, research, service and advocacy. Ali will be a rising star in whatever health field she decides to enter.”

During her time at BU, Gold was an undergraduate research assistant and social media manager for the Approach Motivation & Participation Lab and co-authored a manuscript culminating in a peer-reviewed publication. She is a mental health advocate as well as a peer mentor and mental health specialist for the McLean-Franciscan Adolescent Inpatient Program at Franciscan Children’s Hospital. This year, Gold shared her personal mental health experience as part of the cast of This Is My Brave, a non-profit organization dedicated to using storytelling to break the silence, end the stigma, and raise awareness of mental illness, where she.

“I'm building a career and a life that is rewarding, enjoyable, and truly something that I love,” said Gold. “I'm working as a mental health counselor and a peer mentor in an inpatient psychiatric hospital where I was twice a patient. I've been invited to share my mental health story at multiple conferences, advocacy events, six different colleges, a high school of over 270 students and faculty, with WGBH, Boston’s Public Broadcasting station, and to present at an upcoming career day hosted by a BU organization. I’m most proud of the fact that I’m here, living an exciting and meaningful life with a bright future – and I’m alive and thriving. Still overwhelmed…but passionate, determined, and on-track to continue making a difference in the world.”

Next, Gold plans to pursue a career in the mental health field.

Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College is an institution of higher education which fosters critical and innovative thinking to best serve the health care needs of society through academics, research, and clinical practice. As reported by U.S. News and World Report, its graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Physical Therapy rank in the top 20 while Occupational Therapy is #1 in the nation. The College has more than 25 on-campus research facilities and clinical centers and offers degree programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, language and hearing sciences, health science, athletic training, human physiology, behavior and health, and nutrition. For more information, visit bu.edu/sargent.

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 33,000 students, it is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University’s research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of 65 leading research universities in the United States and Canada.

This press release was produced by Boston University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.