President - Penelope Moyers
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
Penelope A. Moyers, EdD, OTR/L, BCMH, FAOTA, is the 27th president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Moyers was elected in 2006 by the direct vote of Association members and took office during the 87th Annual Conference & Expo in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Moyers has been a strong advocate for the profession of occupational therapy. She has 29 years of experience, having developed expertise in mental health practice at Central State Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, and in upper-extremity rehabilitation at Plastic Surgery Associates in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Moyers also has met the requirements developed by AOTA to be Board Certified in Mental Health (BCMH). In addition, she has extensive experience working with persons with substance use disorders as well as research experience in the measurement of upper-extremity function.
Currently, Dr. Moyers serves as professor and chair of the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Before joining UAB, Dr. Moyers was dean of the School of Occupational Therapy at the University of Indianapolis.
Dr. Moyers co-leads a support group for persons with HIV and AIDS. She has published extensively on the topic of substance use disorders and has worked with AOTA to systematically review evidence to identify effective interventions in this area of practice.
This work has led to creation of AOTA Evidence Briefs designed to help practitioners select interventions for facilitating clients’ recovery from substance use disorders and their return to successful occupational performance. Dr. Moyers also has written articles in OT Practice on the topic of continuing competence and professional development, an outgrowth of her previous AOTA role as chair of the Commission on Continuing Competence and Professional Development.
Dr. Moyers has an extensive academic resume. She has a doctorate in adult education, with a major in public Administration from Ball State University, and a master's degree in community development from the University of Louisville. Her bachelor's degree in occupational therapy is from the University of Missouri.