Commission On Practice (COP)

The Commission On Practice (COP) serves AOTA by promoting the quality of occupational therapy practice and developing practice standards for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants relative to provider and consumer needs.

About the COP

The Commission on Practice (COP) is one of the bodies of the Representative Assembly (RA) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).  Since 1977, the COP serves AOTA by promoting the quality of occupational therapy practice and developing practice standards and documents for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants relative to provider and consumer needs.

Functions of the COP

  • Identifies the need for and develops, interprets, and periodically reviews and revises standards, guidelines, and other official documents related to occupational therapy practice.

  • Analyzes trends in systems and programs that affect the delivery of occupational therapy services.

  • Serves as a resource on issues related to occupational therapy practice.

  • Solicits input from other volunteer sector groups regarding current issues and concerns in occupational therapy practice.


How the COP works

COP conducts monthly virtual meetings. Meeting goals include:

  • Review and edit draft documents

  • Monitor COP projects

  • Coordinate COP projects with other AOTA bodies

  • Identify current practice concerns

  • Develop methods to address current issues

AOTA member participation

In addition to committee members, AOTA members who have a particular interest in an area of practice should forward their names and interests to the Chairperson of the COP. AOTA members are selected on an "as needed" basis to assist in COP business.

Commission On Practice

Meredith Gronski
Chairperson

Meredith Gronski

OTD, OTR/L, CLA, FAOTA
Term: 2022–2025
Shelley Coleman Casto
Chairperson-Elect

Shelley Coleman Casto

MS, OTR/L, CPST
Term: 2024–2025
Timothy Dionne
Member

Timothy Dionne

PhD, OTR/L
Term: 2022-2025
boop
Member

Cheryl Boop

MS, OTR/L, BCP
Term: 2024–2027
Susan Blair
Member

Susan Blair

OTD, OTR, BCPR, BCG CDCS
Term: 2024-2027
Gretchen Bachman
Member

Gretchen Bachman

OTD, OTR/L, MBA, CHT
Term: 2024-2027
Derek Piggott
Member

Derek Piggott

MOT, OTR/L
Term: 2022–2025
Member

Vicki Thomas

COTA, CDP
Tern: 2023-2026
Sarah Bess
Assembly of Student Delegates (ASD) Liaison to COP

Sarah Bess

Term: 2023–2025
Gina Baker
Special Interest Sections (SIS) Liaison to COP

Gina Baker

OTD, OTR/L, CTP
Term: 2024-2027
Julie Malloy
AOTA Headquarters Liaison

Julie Malloy

OTD, MOT, OTR/L, PMP, CPHQ, FNAP
Vice President, Practice
Valeta Njoroge
COP Support Staff

Valeta Njoroge

Program Manager, Knowledge Division, AOTA