Mildred Ross, OTR/L, FAOTA, developed the Five-Stage Group, an approach for working with clients with psychiatric, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. Graduating from Columbia University in 1951, she began working in mental health and was a pioneer in combining creativity and knowledge to improve the ability of people with disabilities to respond in a group session to the physical environment and to the other members. She served in leadership positions both in the work setting and in the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association and worked as an educator giving workshops, guest lecturing to students, mentoring student research, and participating in student research. She also has authored For the Love of Occupation: Reflections on a Career in Occupational Therapy.