Thursday, April 3 | 11:15 am–12:30 pm
Darleen Santore
Darleen Santore, better known as “Coach Dar,” will open the conference with an inspiring keynote presentation that will help us rise personally, and professionally, taking our profession to new heights. From working in the traditional setting to pioneering a new path for occupational therapists, Coach Dar will share her inspiring story and give tips on removing roadblocks, igniting the passion within, seizing opportunities, and elevating our mindsets. You won’t want to miss this one!
Thursday, April 3 | 3:00 pm–4:15 pm
Shirley A. Wells, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA
As global communities increasingly embrace Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Access and Belonging (DEIJAB), the journey must go beyond mere awareness and symbolic gestures. In this interactive presentation, Wells will explore how occupational therapy practitioners can lead the way in integrating DEIJAB principles into their practice, moving from celebration to systemic change.
Attendees will gain insights on fostering cultural shifts, promoting institutional reforms, and ensuring accountability. By deeply embedding DEIJAB values into all facets of care, we can create a more just and inclusive environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. The inaugural Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity Equity & Inclusion is not to be missed.
Friday, April 4 | 11:30 am–12:15 pm
Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP
Occupational therapy stands at the intersection of innovation, client-centered care, and holistic health. It is a profession that doesn’t just adapt to change—it drives it. Our focus on improving quality of life and enabling participation across all areas of life makes us the solution to some of the most pressing issues in health care. Join AOTA President Alyson Stover as she highlights how the future is being written now. Will you be part of creating it?
Saturday, April 5 | 11:15 am–12:30 pm
Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Occupational therapy practitioners use multiple sources of information to solve complex problems and promote client participation and quality of life. It is essential that the data we collect is relevant and thorough; and that we organize and interpret these data to create interventions that are personalized, meaningful, and effective. Precision Occupational Therapy is a solution that provides an occupation-centered, science-driven, and theory-based approach using data to design tailored interventions and measure outcomes.
Schaaf will show how employing this strategy led to the recognition of occupational therapy as an evidence-based profession and, in turn, improved payment for, and greater access to, occupational therapy services for underserved populations. In this Eleanor Clarke Slagle lecture, Schaaf challenges practitioners and researchers in all areas of practice to embrace Precision Occupational Therapy using data driven decision making to create evidence for occupational therapy.
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814-6519
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
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