AOTA Experts
Occupational therapy focuses on the restoration of skills and abilities, and occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).
Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
The six practice areas of occupational therapy are:
- Aging
- Children and Youth
- Disability and Rehabilitation
- Health and Wellness
- Mental Health
- Work-Related
Occupational therapy services typically include:
- Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities in the home, workplace, and community
- Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
- Performance skills assessments and treatment
- Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
- Guidance and education to family members and caregivers
AOTA's media experts represent various specialties and geographic locations and serve as spokespersons. The guide serves as a resource for journalists who are working on stories covering a wide range of topics including autism, older drivers, traumatic brain injuries, Alzheimer's disease, and aging.
To interview one of AOTA's experts, or for more information, contact Katie Riley at KRiley@aota.org, or 301-652-6611, ext. 2963.
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Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Associate Dean, Chair, and Professor in the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Los Angeles, CA
Areas of Expertise:
AOTA President, Aging |
| Read her bio here. |
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Virginia "Ginny" Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA
AOTA President-Elect; Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Science & Technology at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
Areas of Expertise:
Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery, Psychosocial Aspects of Wellness and Everyday Life, Capturing Lived Experience Using Photovoice Methods, Leadership, Leadership Development, and Servant Leadership |
| Read her bio here. |
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Debbie Amini, EdD, OTR/L, CHT
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at East Carolina University
Location: Greenville, NC
Areas of Expertise:
Hand rehabilitation, splinting, occupation-based hand therapy, OTA education, occupation-based documentation, and practice |
| Read her bio here. |
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Brent Braveman, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Director of Rehabilitation Services,
Houston, TX
Areas of Expertise:
Cancer Rehabilitation, Health Care Reform, HIV/AIDS, Work Disability, Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI) |
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Read his bio here.
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Ricardo C. Carrasco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chair & Professor
Nova Southeastern University Tampa, Health Professions Division, College of Allied Health & Nursing, Department of Occupational Therapy
Tampa, FL
Areas of Expertise:
Developmental Disabilities & Sensory Integration/Processing Disorders, Wellness Through Occupation, Occupational Therapy Education
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| Read his bio here. |
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Mary A. Corcoran, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Professor, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, George Washington University, Washington, DC and
professor, Division of Occupational Therapy
Shenandoah University
Washington, DC
Areas of Expertise:
Environmental modifications, Alzheimer's disease, and caregiving
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| Read her bio here. |
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Elin Schold Davis, OTR/L, CDRS
Project Coordinator, ATOA Older Driver Initiative
American Occupational Therapy Association
Bethesda, MD
Areas of Expertise:
Driving, Senior Mobility, Long-Term Care
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| Read her bio here. |
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Jan Davis, MS, OTR/L
President and founder of International Clinical Educators, Inc.
Port Townsend, WA
Areas of Expertise:
Stroke (adult hemiplegia), innovative teaching strategies, and multimedia/video educational resources
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| Read her bio here. |
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Coralie "Corky" H. Glantz, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA
Co-Owner
Glantz/Richman Rehabilitation Associates
Riverwoods, IL
Areas of Expertise:
Aging, Dementia
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Read her bio here.
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James M. Herzog, MS, OTR/L, CEA
Occupational Therapist
MeadWestvaco Corporation
Norwich, NY
Areas of Expertise:
Ergonomics, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)Implementation, Job Analysis, Post-Offer Screen Development, Onsite Therapy, and Behavior-Based Safety
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Read his bio here.
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Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CPE, FAOTA
Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy and Distance Education Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Programs,
Boston, MA
Areas of Expertise:
Ergonomics, Telerehabilitation, Education and Curriculum Development, Workplace
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Read her bio here.
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Jennifer Kaldenberg, MSA, OTR/L, SCLV, CLVT, FAOTA
Director of Occupational Therapy Services at the New England Eye Institute, and Assistant Professor of Vision Rehabilitation at the New England College of Optometry
Boston, MA
Areas of Expertise:
Low Vision Rehabilitation, Impact of the Built Environment on Vision and Function
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Read her bio here.
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Amy Lamb, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Eastern Michigan University and owner of AJLamb Consulting
Ann Arbor, MI
Areas of Expertise:
Health care policy & reform, prevention and wellness, and occupational therapy as a career.
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| Read her bio here. |
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Sue Ludwig, OTR/L
President and Founder
National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT)
Cincinnati, OH
Areas of Expertise:
Neonatal Therapy, Oral Feeding in the NICU, Infant-Driven Feeding®, Implementing Developmental Care in the NICU, Integrated Model of Neonatal Therapy, Changing Feeding Culture in the NICU, and Intentional Caregiving.
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| Read her bio here. |
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Michele Luther-Krug, COTA/L, SCADCM, CDRS
Driving Rehabilitation Specialist
Shepherd Center Driving Program
Atlanta, GA
Areas of Expertise:
Driving, Substance Abuse
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| Read her bio here. |
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Robin Newman, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CDRS
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Clinical Specialist in Occupational Therapy at NorthShore University HealthSystem
Chicago, IL
Areas of Expertise:
Cancer Survivorship/Cancer Rehabilitation, Lymphedema, and Driver Rehabilitation
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| Read her bio here. |
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Shawn Phipps, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chief Strategic Development Officer, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center;
President, Occupational Therapy Association of California
Los Angeles, CA
Areas of Expertise:
Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Pediatrics, Vision Assessment and Treatment, Evidence-Based Practice, Management, and Leadership
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Read his bio here.
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Sandra Schefkind, MS, OTR/L
Pediatric Coordinator, Professional Affairs Division, AOTA
Bethesda, MD
Areas of Expertise:
Pediatrics, School-Based Practice, Advocacy, Children and Youth
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| Read her bio here. |
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Pamela Toto, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA
Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Areas of Expertise:
Aging, Falls Prevention, Long-Term Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Assisted Living.
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| Read her bio here. |
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Heidi Nejezchleb Tringali, MS, OTR/L
Owner, Tringali Occupational Therapy Services,
Charlotte, NC
Areas of Expertise:
Preschool and School-Aged Children with Developmental Delays, Sensory Processing Disorders, Visual Motor Deficits, Fine and Gross Motor Coordination Deficits, Asperger's/Austism, ADHD, and other childhood disorders
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| Read her bio here. |
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Rondalyn Varney Whitney, PhD OT/L
Areas of Expertise:
Autism, Sensory Processing
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| Read her bio here. |
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Sudip Bose, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Emergency Room Physician
Odessa, TX
Areas of Expertise:
Emergency Medicine, Wounded Warrior Rehabilitation, U.S. Veteran Health Care Issues
Dr. Bose is championing efforts to raise awareness and funding for wounded veterans and the families of fallen soldiers, especially with posttraumatic stress disorder. He is the founder of The Battle Continues which awards fellowships to empower wounded and disabled veterans to serve in their communities.
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| Read his bio here. |
