The 61st Corporate Meeting of the AOTF Board of Trustees took place in San Francisco, Ca., Sept. 22-23, 2023. The main agenda was to review status of 2023-2025 strategic plan, present committee reports and vote on the Slate of Elections. Past grant recipients from San Jose State University, including (pictured L-R) Megan Chang, PhD, OTR/L, MS, and Katrina Long OTR/L, EdD, MS, BA, San Jose State University, were also invited to Friday's dinner to mingle with one of the 100 Influential People in OT, Panelpha (Penny) L. Kyler, ScD, OT, FAOTA, along with AOTA Board President Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP, AOTA Board Vice President Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, and AOTA Executive Director, Charles H. Jeffers II.

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On September 27, 2023, AOTF sponsored the Consortium of HBCU Interdisciplinary Rehab Programs (CHIRP) Dinner at the White House HBCU Conference. CHIRP is a comprehensive interdisciplinary network of evidence-based research initiatives supported by academic rehab programs to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion that impact health and health outcomes among racial, cultural, and ethnic groups. AOTF and the leadership of occupational therapy programs at Howard University, Tuskegee University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tennessee State University, Winston-Sale State University, Alabama State University and Delaware State University discussed initiatives to promote diversity and belonging in occupational therapy research and the profession as a whole.

The Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship in Occupational Therapy will provide financial aid to support a student in pursuit of their degree.  Eligible candidates must be pursuing an entry-level degree, i.e., OTA, MOT, MSOT or OTD at an AOTA accredited US institution, must be enrolled as a full-time student, and must have completed at least one year of coursework. In addition, candidates for this scholarship must demonstrate their role in community service and/or a service leadership role. Preference for this scholarship will be given to students from historically under-represented minorities in the field of occupational therapy.