State occupational therapy associations recognized for outstanding work

ASAP 2025 award winners from left to right: Shelly Muche, WOTA President, Jacque Sample, MOTA (MO) President, Julia Graham, NOTA President, Christie Tuttle, OOTA President, Heidi Carpenter, ArizOTa President, Sydney Marshman, IOTA President, Kim Davis, MOTA (ME) President, Stephanie Lancaster, TNOTA President, Cathleen Johnson, MiOTA President, and Natalie Petrucci, RIOTA President. Inset photo is of Jacob Greenfield, WVOTA President. 

The Affiliated State Association Presidents (ASAP) held their annual meeting on April 1-2, 2025, at AOTA Inspire in Philadelphia. Discussions included the updated Affiliation Agreement with AOTA, meetings with AOTA leadership, updates from AOTPAC and the Representative Assembly, OT Compact developments, strategies for enhancing membership value, and the development of ASAP’s Mission and Vision Statements. Service Commendations were presented to outgoing state presidents.

ASAP also recognized outstanding state associations with awards in six categories. This year, 15 states submitted 29 entries, showcasing the dedication and hard work of state associations in advancing the occupational therapy profession. The winners were as follows:

Continuing Education

• Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA)
  WOTA organized an 8-part webinar series on the AOTA Code of Ethics, running from April to December 2024. Each session focused on one of the seven Standards of Conduct, featuring case studies and discussions. A unique aspect of the series was the involvement of AOTA experts who contributed to the development of the Code of Ethics. The initiative received highly positive feedback and emphasized the importance of ethical awareness in OT practice. This model is easily replicable by other state associations.
• Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA)
  MOTA introduced "Winter Fest," a virtual CE event that repurposed unused session submissions from its annual conference. This approach provided accessible, high-quality education for members unable to attend the in-person event. The event featured interactive town halls and networking sessions, enhancing engagement and community-building. MOTA’s innovative model demonstrated resourcefulness and adaptability, serving as a replicable framework for other organizations seeking to maximize educational content and member involvement.

Healthcare Reform and Advocacy

• Ohio Occupational Therapy Association (OOTA)
  OOTA played a pivotal role in passing the Ohio Co-Pay Fairness Act, ensuring fair insurance copayments for OT services. After an initial failure in 2022, OOTA partnered with the Ohio Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Associations to introduce HB 141 in 2023. Despite legislative setbacks due to political shifts, OOTA's lobbyist and advocacy efforts led to the bill's successful inclusion in HB 315, which was signed into law on January 2, 2025. This victory makes Ohio the 21st state to implement copay fairness, improving affordability and access to OT services while strengthening the profession’s recognition in healthcare.
• Nevada Occupational Therapy Association (NOTA)
  NOTA spearheaded collaborative advocacy efforts by uniting OT, PT, and speech-language pathology professionals to address key legislative issues. Their multi-disciplinary approach led to successes such as Medicaid reimbursement improvements, scope of practice protections, and the Handicapped Placards Bill (SB 113), allowing OTs to issue handicapped parking placards. This teamwork-based advocacy model fosters stronger legislative impact and is a replicable strategy for other states aiming to enhance policy influence across therapy disciplines.

Leadership Development

• West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association (WVOTA)
  WVOTA rebranded its student representative program into the WVOTA Student Leadership Program, providing students with active leadership training. Two students per educational institution are nominated to develop leadership skills and execute a contribution project, which led to the creation of the WVOTA Student Leadership Summit, launching in 2025. Student leaders receive monthly mentorship on topics like conflict resolution, team dynamics, and meeting management, while also having a voice on the WVOTA Executive Board. Graduates of the program have successfully transitioned into leadership roles within WVOTA, demonstrating its impact as a pipeline for future association leaders.
• Arizona Occupational Therapy Association (ArizOTA)
  Since its launch in 2016-17, the ArizOTA Student Intern Program has continuously evolved to provide structured leadership training for students from all OT and OTA schools in Arizona. The program pairs students with ArizOTA leaders and committees, engages interns in projects such as marketing, legislative affairs, and conference planning, and fosters peer collaboration through quarterly meetings. Notably, one former intern became Co-Chair of the JEDI Committee. In 2024, ArizOTA introduced a Student Conclave at its Fall Conference, featuring student-focused keynotes, leadership training, and fieldwork preparation. This initiative strengthens student engagement and creates a clear path for future association leadership.

Membership Growth

• Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MEOTA)
  MEOTA achieved a 22.5% increase in membership, growing from 280 members in March 2024 to 343 in March 2025. This success stems from a focus on continuing education, regional engagement, and collaborative partnerships. MEOTA expanded Special Interest Section (SIS) programming, introduced regional events tailored to different areas, and led a New England Consortium with neighboring states to offer joint educational sessions, attracting 150 attendees. Additionally, MEOTA maintained stable dues, introduced student and new practitioner membership discounts, and strengthened its role in advocacy, particularly for school-based practitioners. These efforts created a thriving professional community, reinforcing the value of membership.
• Iowa Occupational Therapy Association (IOTA)
  IOTA saw an impressive 54.7% membership increase, growing from 137 members in March 2024 to 212 by February 2025. A key driver was student engagement, with student membership nearly doubling from 49 to 92 through quarterly student meetups (Newbee OT) and professional development initiatives. Practitioner membership also increased, supported by expanded member benefits, including access to OT Potential and Aspire OT for high-quality continuing education. IOTA launched an annual Leadership Workshop, improved its website for better communication, and strategically re-engaged lapsed members. By combining education, advocacy, and enhanced member experiences, IOTA strengthened its reach and solidified its role as a leader in the OT community.

Thinking Outside the Box

• Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA)
  TNOTA introduced an innovative Student Lounge at its annual conference, aligning with the “Back to Our Roots” theme focused on mental health. Instead of the usual student meet-up, this lounge provided a comfortable, interactive space where students from nine programs could connect, relax, and engage in meaningful activities such as bracelet-making, sensory fidgeting, and leaving encouragement notes. A hydration station, healthy snacks, and a selfie station with OT-themed props added to the experience. A local OT program sponsored the lounge with $500, enabling TNOTA to purchase reusable materials for future events. Student feedback emphasized that the lounge created a safe, welcoming environment, reducing intimidation and fostering inter-program connections. TNOTA plans to make this a permanent conference feature and hopes to inspire similar initiatives in other state associations.
• Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (MiOTA)
  MiOTA launched an innovative stipend program to fund member attendance at the AOTA annual conference, addressing financial barriers to professional development. Each year, one OT, one OTA, and one OT student receive full coverage for registration, travel, and accommodations. In return, recipients share their insights through newsletter articles or webinar presentations, ensuring knowledge reaches the broader OT community. This initiative enhances accessibility, fosters learning, and strengthens workforce knowledge. MiOTA’s model demonstrates a sustainable reinvestment strategy that other state associations can replicate.

Website/Social Media

• Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Association (RIOTA)
  RIOTA significantly enhanced its online presence through a comprehensive website renovation and social media integration, led by the Communications Chair. By learning a new website design platform, RIOTA created a visually appealing, user-friendly, and accessible site, improving the user experience and making key resources easier to find. Additionally, social media was seamlessly integrated with the website, ensuring a cohesive digital presence. This streamlined information flow has led to increased website traffic and social media engagement, boosting member interaction with event updates, advocacy efforts, and membership benefits. The revamped website now effectively highlights the value of RIOTA membership, encouraging engagement and strengthening the statewide OT community. Through these efforts, the Communications Chair has elevated RIOTA’s visibility, accessibility, and impact.