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AOTF Events at the AOTA Annual Conference

Research Resources   >   AOTF Events at the AOTA Annual Conference
June 12, 2025

 

  

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Thank you for joining us this year!

See you in Anaheim, California for AOTA INSPIRE 2026—April 23–25, 2026

AOTA INSPIRE 2025 Annual Conference & Expo Philadelphia, Pa. | April 3-5, 2025

Foundation Friday, April 4, 2025 

Breakfast with a Scholar

7:00 – 9:00 am ET 
Marriott Salons GH, Philadelphia Marriot Downtown
View program

A Journey Through Anxiety
David Anthony Rooney

Unprecedented exposure to the world around us is taking a toll on our mental health. Health polls indicate that U.S. adults are experiencing increasing anxiety, with young adults showing even higher trends. Drawing from his 30-year journey, David will inspire positive change in those dealing with anxiety or caring for others who do. Through authentic storytelling, validation, practical insights, and community building, he hopes to catalyze healing and support.

By attending AOTF Breakfast with a Scholar you will:

  • Recognize anxiety's emotional and physical dimensions.
  • Learn practical strategies to reduce, manage, and overcome anxiety.
  • Gain hope, resilience, and lasting calm.

The goal is to impart hope and illuminate the possibility of breaking free from the mental prison of anxiety, offering a roadmap to a life characterized by resilience, empowerment, and lasting calm. Acting as a guide and companion on the journey to mental well-being, David will inspire positive change in the lives of those dealing with anxiety or caring for others who do. Through authentic storytelling, validation, practical insights, and community building, he hopes to be a catalyst for healing and support.

Book will be available onsite for speaker signing.

Speaker Bio:

David RooneyDavid Anthony Rooney is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and Guinness world record-breaking musician from Dublin, Ireland. He has spent the last decade captivating audiences with his residency at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. His documentary, "An Irish Story: This Is My Home," explores the American Dream from an Irish immigrant perspective and has millions of views on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. He performed 60 shows in all 50 U.S. states in 40 days. Voted Best Irish Singer/Songwriter of the Year, he won an EMMY for outstanding achievement in a documentary and the Beloit International Film Festival's People's Choice Award.  

Beyond music and film, Rooney advocates for mental health and authored "Journey Through Anxiety," detailing his 30-year struggle with anxiety. Known for his honest and humorous approach, he is a respected musician, speaker, and author who regularly conducts talks on mental health and resilience and co-authored the TAP (Teen Anxiety Program), an evidence-based school curriculum utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy principles. 

 

State of the Science

3:00 – 5:30 pm ET 
Marriott Salons GH, Philadelphia Marriot Downtown
View Program

The Impact of Long COVID on Occupational Performance: Opportunities for Occupational Therapy Intervention and Research

Long COVID emerged as a complex, multi-system condition that challenged traditional diagnostic and treatment approaches. Learn about the opportunities for occupational therapy (OT) interventions and research to address the multifaceted nature of Long COVID symptoms. The panel will also discuss evidence-informed practice guidelines, using functional performance as a diagnostic marker, leveraging metacognition to mitigate the functional effects, long-term impact on disability and participation, and the importance of practice and policy development to support workplace accommodations.

Speakers:

 

Dorothy Farrar Edwards, PhD, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor Professor of Kinesiology and Medicine Director, Collaborative Center for Health Equity School of Education Associate Dean of Research University of Wisconsin-Madison
Anna Boone, PhD, OTR/L, MSOT, CBIS, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri Columbia
Malachy Clancy, PhD, OTR/L, BCPR, Assistant Professor, Thomas Jefferson University
Kristen Kehl-Floberg, MSOT, OTR/L, BCG, PhD Student, University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health
Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM, Associate Professor at the University of Southern California’s Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy and Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois
Jamie Wilcox, MPH, OTD, OTR/L, Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California’s Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

AOTF Foundation Friday

Research Excellence Symposium

12:30 – 2:00 pm ET
Marriott Salons F, Philadelphia Marriot Downtown 

AOTF fosters and celebrates research excellence across various career stages with a vision of having a vibrant science that builds knowledge to support effective, evidence-based occupational therapy. The 2025 AOTF Early- and Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardees along with our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awardee share insights from their career journey and latest research. Included with your AOTA Inspire main registration- 

Jennifer Weaver, PhD, OTR/L, CBIS, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Janet Njelesani, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy New York University, New York, NY
Wendy Coster, PhD, OT, OTR, FAOTA, Professor Emerita, Occupational Therapy, Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation, Boston, MA

 

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Academy of Research Symposium

4:00 – 6:00 pm ET 
Marriott Salons GH, Philadelphia Marriot Downtown

The 2025 AOTF Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy Inductees share their career journeys and the latest development in their research. Established in 1983, the AOTF Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy recognizes and honors individuals who have made exemplary, distinguished, and sustained contributions to the advancement of the science of occupational therapy. Included with your AOTA Inspire main registration- 
Batya Engel-Yeger, PhD, Professor, Dean of Students, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
Susan Magasi, PhD, MS, BScO, BSc, FACRM, Head and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Trudy Mallinson, PhD, OTR/L, FACRM, FAOTA, NZROT, Associate Dean for Health Sciences Research, Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Elizabeth A. Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, Professor, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Plus, don't miss (Tip: Search "AOTF" in the AOTA INSPIRE App.)...

  • STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship Posters, Thursday, 3-5pm, Phila. Convention Center, Ballroom AB
  • STRIDE Committee Informal Meet-Up, Thursday, 2:00 – 3:00 pm and Friday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm. AOTF Lounge, adjacent to AOTF Booth
  • Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture: Precision Occupational Therapy Through Data Driven Decision Making, Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTF Academy of Research Member, Saturday, 11:15-12:30 pm, Phila. Convention Center
  • Promoting Engagement and Empowerment in Researchers (PEER) Hangout, Saturday, 1:30-2:30 pm. AOTF Staff Office (PCC Room 301). 
  • Awards & Recognitions Ceremony, Saturday, 4:15-5:45pm, Phila. Convention Center, Hall C
  • Visit our AOTF Booth (Grand Hall across from registration):
    • Support Occupational Therapy Research: Join us at our booth and spin the "Wheel of Philanthropy"! Your generous gift will be matched by Korro AI, doubling your impact on critical OT research.
    • OT Student Scavenger Hunt & Gift Card Giveaway: Calling all OT students! Participate in our exciting Scavenger Hunt. Complete it by April 6 at 12:00 pm, to be entered to win one of five $100 Gift Cards sponsored by Occupationaltherapy.com
    • Celebrate our 60th Anniversary
    • View display of 2025 Grant and Scholarship recipients, St. Catherine Challenge Results and Award recipients
    • Relax in our Donor Lounge 
    • Pick up free AOTF swag
    • And more!

Thank You Sponsors

Sponsors

Premium Sponsors

                  

 

       

       

       

 

Cancellation/Refund/Transfer Policies 

AOTF Conference Archives:

Research Excellence Symposium Archived Recordings

Kristin Bukovsky
/ Categories: News

$7 Million Awarded for Patient-Centered CER

Just announced! Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) awards $7 million for new patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) led by AOTF Board of Trustee, Elizabeth Pfieffer PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA and Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, AOTF Engage Summit 2024 Co-Chair, and OTJR Associate Editor.

Effectiveness and Implementation of a Peer- and Staff-Delivered Transportation Intervention for Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

"Public transportation can allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) to go places and do activities. Even though travel training is often provided by vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs, many young adults with IDDs do not learn how to use public transportation. Some people believe that young adults with IDDs cannot learn to use public transportation safely — this is an example of ableism. However, there are young adults with IDDs who do use public transportation independently and safely. These young adults can show other young adults with IDDs how to use public transportation on their own. That way, more young adults with IDDs can learn to use public transportation and do activities that support their health and participation in the community."

This project aims to determine whether a travel training program called Chance to Ride, which is an eight-week intervention designed to teach young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) how to use public transportation safely and independently, produces the same outcomes when delivered by a peer supporter with an IDD as it does when provided by a professional staff member. Additionally, the project will explore the factors that facilitate or hinder community service organizations in offering Chance to Ride. The main outcomes being measured in the study are loneliness, satisfaction with social activities, and travel skills.

Dr. PfiefferDr. Pfeiffer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Public Health at Temple University and the Director of the Research, Engagement and Advocacy for Community Participation and Health (REACH) Lab. Her research focuses on the development of interventions and outcomes measures to support engagement in meaningful activities in the community for transitional age youth and young adults with ASD and/or IDD. In all aspects of her work in the REACH lab, she is committed to engaging stakeholders/community partners in research planning and decision-making. Dr. Pfeiffer teaches research in the post-professional and entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program and mentors PhD students. She continues her clinical practice in the area of pediatrics. In addition, she's an AOTF Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardee and Health Services Research Grant Recipient.

 

Dr. KramerDr. Kramer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida. Dr. Kramer’s occupational therapy practice experience is with enabling children and youth ages 3 to 20 with multiple, severe disabilities to participate and learn in a public school setting. Dr. Kramer’s research draws upon theoretical concepts and methodologies from occupational therapy, disability studies, education and rehabilitation to partner with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the development and evaluation of rehabilitation products, develop community-based interventions that equip youth with I/DD and their families with the skills to identify and resolve environmental barriers to participation, and design high-quality patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) using contemporary measurement approaches. In addition, she's an AOTF Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardee and Health Services Research Grant Recipient.

Read full PCORI article.

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Tags: GrantBoard MembersPCORI