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AOTF Events at the AOTA Annual Conference

Research Resources   >   AOTF Events at the AOTA Annual Conference
May 20, 2024

 

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AOTA INSPIRE 2024 Annual Conference & Expo, Orlando, Florida 
March 21-23, 2024

Thanks for attending! We hope to see you in Philly next year!

 

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Foundation Friday, March 22, 2024

Breakfast with a Scholar (CE)

Friday, March 22, 2024, 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. ET
Rosen Centre, Orlando, Florida

The Caregiver Trifecta: Empowering Family Caregivers and Clinicians to Plan for Personhood, Dignity and Connection at Every Stage of Care

Katie Brandt, MM, Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations, Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit

Katie Brandt

Katie Brandt is a powerful public speaker, educator and advocate in the national healthcare and research space. She is on a mission to enhance clinical care, advance research and impact public policy for serious health conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, young-onset dementias and rare disorders. 

In her keynote presentation, Katie will introduce the Caregiver Trifecta, an innovative person-centered care planning approach that incorporates the person with the diagnosis and their care partners as the anchor for each element of care. This interdisciplinary model of care creates space where occupational therapists can play a pivotal role while empowering family caregivers as architects of their loved one’s care plan. Katie will provide strategies to build connections with family caregivers that promote partnerships for personhood and dignity at every stage of care.  

This lived experience presentation will share Katie’s personal journey as a young-onset dementia caregiver to both her husband and father. Her experiences of love and loss have been the catalyst for her professional passion as the Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations for the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. In this role she is also deeply dedicated to promoting clinically meaningful outcomes for families participating in research. Weaving together personal experiences and professional knowledge, Katie illuminates the power of the authentic voice to build connections that help joy endure even as memories fade. 

Speaker Bio: Katie Brandt is a powerful public speaker, educator and advocate in the healthcare and research space. Earning her Master of Non-Profit Management from the Heller School for Social Policy at Brandeis University equipped her with the skills she utilizes today as a national leader for Alzheimer’s and related dementia public policy, research and clinical care. In her professional capacity, Katie serves as the Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations for the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. Her passion for this role was inspired by her experience as a young-onset family caregiver to both her husband and father. Katie’s experiences of love and loss embolden her to illuminate the power of the authentic voice, determined that the cure of tomorrow is not so far from the care of today.   

In-person: $75- Add to your full conference registration | View Program

 

State of the Science (CE)

Friday, March 22, 2024, 3:00 pm–5:30 pm, ET

Progress in OT Assessment: How are we measuring up?
 

State of the Science Speakers

Assessment tools play a key role in building research that advances our understanding of human occupation and health and that provides an evidentiary base that informs occupational therapy practice. Occupational therapy researchers have contributed to key advances by using innovative measurement models, defining and measuring new concepts, and demonstrating treatment effectiveness. Yet, we also stand at a crossroads: challenges include the departure of established researchers (and assessments), limited workforce development opportunities, and obstacles to integrating assessments into clinical and research workflows, and while we also have exciting new opportunities including advances in assessment accessibility, inclusiveness of stakeholders throughout the measurement process, and implementation science to design measures that meet the needs of research and inform daily practice. This session will reflect on past achievements, current cutting-edge approaches, and how we will continue to lead and innovate measurement in the future.

Michelle L. Woodbury, PhD, OTR/L, Professor, College of Health Professions, Health Sciences & Research Department, Medical University of South Carolina
Jennifer Weaver, PhD, MA, OTR/L, BS, CBIS, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University
Jessica M. Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida
Trudy Mallinson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM, Associate Dean for Health Sciences Research, Associate Professor of Clinical Research & Leadership, Associate Professor of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences (Secondary), The George Washington University, The School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Simone V. Gill, PhD, OT, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University

In-person: $50- Add to your full conference registration | View Program

 

Research Excellence Symposium (CE)

Friday, March 22, 2024, 12:30-2:30 pm, ET

AOTF promotes and celebrates research excellence at various career stages with the vision of having a vibrant science that builds knowledge to support effective, evidence-based occupational therapy.  This year, hear from our newly inducted Academy of Research members along with our Early and Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardees on their career journey and latest research. 

Established in 1983, the AOTF Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy recognizes individuals who have made exemplary, distinguished, and sustained contributions toward the science of occupational therapy. Additionally, AOTF Early and Mid-Career Awards recognize and support investigators who are contributing and have promise to advance knowledge in the field of occupational therapy. 
Included with your AOTA Inspire main registration.

AOTF Academy of Research (AoR) Inductees:
Ganesh M. Babulal, PhD, OTD, MSCI, MOT, OTR/L
Lindy Clemson, PhD, MAppSc (Research), BAppSc (OT), Dip OT, FOTARA
Roberta G. Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, CNT

Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardee:
Sook-Lei Liew, PhD, OTR/L

Early Career Research Excellence Awardee:
Adam R. Kinney, PhD, OTR/L

Plus don't miss...

  • STRIDE OT Research Fund Posters, Thursday, Mar 21 3:00 pm

  • Awards & Recognitions Ceremony, Saturday, March 22, 2024, 5:15 pm.-6:30 pm. ET (Reception 6:30 pm-7:30 pm)

  • Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture: Bubble wrap is for Packages, Not for People: Balancing Dignity of Risk with Duty of Care, Anita Bundy, ScD, OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA, AOTF Academy of Research Member, Saturday, March 23, 11:15 am–12:30 pm

Visit our AOTF Booth, Orange County Convention Center, OCCC West Lobby

  • Student Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Fox Rehabilitation.
  • Meet with our AOTF Chief Scientific Officer and Scientific & Research Programs Coordinator about upcoming funding and resources
  • View display of 2024 Grant and Scholarship recipients, St. Catherine Challenge Results and Award recipients
  • Relax in our Donor Lounge 
  • Pick up a free AOTF zipper pull and/or goniometer
  • And more!

Thank You Sponsors!

AOTF Sponsors 2024

 

 

 

Cancellation Policy- requests should be submitted in writing and sent to AOTA by email at conference@aota.org, or faxed to +1 770-238-0414. A 15% processing fee will be applied to all cancellation requests made through February 28, 2024. Refunds will not be issued after February 28, 2024. Substitutions are accepted with written notice.

Conference Archives:

2023

Breakfast with a Scholar (CE)
Friday, April 21, 2023, 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. CT

Fearlessly Different
Mickey Rowe, Founding Artistic Director of the National Disability Theatre

Mickey Rowe

Sometimes just one small action can change a life. For Mickey Rowe, Founding Artistic Director of the National Disability Theatre, it began when he was introduced to Seattle Children’s Theatre by his grandmother. Rowe, who is autistic and legally blind, was told that he could never enter the mainstream world. Acting changed all of that. In this keynote, Rowe shares his deeply personal and inspiring story of growing up autistic and pushing beyond the restrictions of a special education classroom to shine on Broadway. The talk is based on his new memoir: Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage. He shows all of us that whether disable or not, the things that make us different are often our biggest strengths. (Note: Additional registration required to attend this program.)*

  • In Person- $ 70 (add to your INSPIRE package, includes on demand access also, BONUS: book available for purchase and signing at end of program)
  • On Demand Only- OTs/OTAs - $ 40/Students- $ 20 (not eligible for CE's)
  • Book only - $25 (includes shipping in US)

 

State of the Science Symposium (CE)
Friday, April 21, 3:00 pm–5:30 pm CT

Shifting the Culture of Occupational Therapy Scholarship Through Community-Engaged Research

 

4 panelists for State of the Science

Teal W. Benevides, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Institute of Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University
​​Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico
​​Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, PhD, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago
​​Karla Ausderau, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Department of Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy Program, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison
MC – Mary Jane ‘MJ’ Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L, CLCP, FASIA, Chair of the AOTF Board of Trustees, Thomas Jefferson University

At the conclusion of this symposium, attendees will…

  • Discuss the culture of community-engaged research: what is it, and what it is not, and how does it align with occupational therapy principles
  • Identify approaches for engaging the community as co-research partners
  • Illustrate benefits, barriers, and strategies that contribute to the science of community-engaged research

View Attendee Program

In Person- $ 40 (add to your INSPIRE package, includes on demand access also) 
On Demand Only- OTs/OTAs - $ 25


Research Excellence Symposium
Friday, April 21, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm CT

4 speaker photos

AOTF promotes and celebrates research excellence at various career stages with the vision of having a vibrant science that builds knowledge to support effective, evidence-based occupational therapy.  This year, hear from our newly inducted Academy of Research members along with our Early and Mid-Career Research Excellence Awardees on their career journey and latest research. 

Established in 1983, the AOTF Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy recognizes individuals who have made exemplary, distinguished, and sustained contributions toward the science of occupational therapy. Additionally, AOTF Early and Mid-Career Awards recognize and support investigators who are contributing and have promise to advance knowledge in the field of occupational therapy. 
Included with your AOTA Inspire main registration

Academy of Research Inductees:
Carolyn Unsworth, PhD, BAppSci (OT), GCTE, OTR, MRCOT, FOTARA, Professor, Discipline Lead Occupational Therapy Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Australia,
Sook-Lei Liew, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor; Director, Neural Plasticity and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory; Chair, ENIGMA Stroke Recovery Working Group; Co-Director, USC SMART-VR Center; Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurology USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Early Career Awardee:
Lisa Juckett, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio ​​
Mid-Career Awardee:
Elizabeth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDCES, FAOTA, Director of the Lifestyle Redesign® Knowledge Mobilization Initiative, and Associate Professor, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California


Awards & Recognitions Ceremony
Saturday, April 22, 4:30 am – 6:00 pm CT (w/reception 6:00 pm–7:30 pm)

Each year, AOTF and AOTA recognize and honor our colleagues who have made significant contributions to enrich the profession of occupational therapy. Feel the excitement and be inspired during this year’s engaging ceremony, as we publicly unveil the winners of AOTF’s and AOTA’s most prestigious awards.

Plus, don't miss...

International Breakfast: Inspired to BE: Promoting Belonging and Equity for an Evolved Profession

Saturday April 22, 9:00 am–10:30 am

Douglene Jackson, PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATP, FAOTA, AOTF Board Secretary
 

Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture: The Mattering of “Little Things”

Saturday April 22, 11:15 am–12:30 pm

Mary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Past AOTF Board Chair

 *AOTA Event Cancellation Policy: Please notify AOTA by email at conference@aota.org, or fax 770-238-0414. A 15% processing fee will be applied to all cancellation requests made through March 29, 2023. Refunds will not be issued after March 29, 2023.

Thank You 2023 Sponsors! 

Contact Lawrence Liff, development@aotf.org for sponsorship opportunities. 

Conference Archives:

2022

Breakfast with a Scholar (CE)

An Unquiet Mind: Professional and Personal Insights About Living with Depression and Bipolar Illness
Kay Redfield Jamison, M.A., Ph.D.

Redfield A Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Kay Redfield Jamison is an international authority and researcher on mood disorders. Named a “Hero of Medicine" by TIME, she has unique insight into the world of mental illness. Dr. Jamison went public with her own struggle with manic depression in a 1995 Washington Post article and subsequent New York Times bestseller, An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness, which according to Oliver Sacks, M.D, “stands alone in the literature of manic depression for its bravery, brilliance, and beauty.” Since its release, she has become a trusted advocate for the millions who suffer from mental illness.

Dr. Jamison will share her deeply personal experience with mania and depression and the impact on her intersecting worlds of researcher, clinician, teacher and patient.

With her professional and personal insights about living with depression and bipolar illness, Dr. Jamison’s lectures have been described by audiences as profoundly enlightening experiences. Through her candor and simplicity, Jamison addresses the clinical and personal realities of mental illness in a manner that encourages dialogue, empathy and hope.

$18 - Unquiet Mind Book only (includes shipping)


State of the Science Symposium (CE)

Healing from Trauma: The Value of Occupation and Therapeutic Alliance 

Christine Helfrich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor & Post-Professional OTD Capstone Coordinator, Division of Occupational Therapy, American International College
Heather Javeherian, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Loma Linda University
Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, TBRI® Educator, SCFES, Associate Professor, Dept. of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University
Emily F. Rothman, ScD, MS, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Boston University
Duana C. Russell-Thomas, OTD, OTR/L, Clinical Specialist in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis

Occupational therapy practitioners encounter individuals who have experienced trauma, as part of their past or present story. These individuals may be clients, coworkers, trainees, or others. Some occupational therapy practitioners are themselves trauma survivors, and others must learn to safeguard against secondary trauma when working with clients who have experienced trauma. Whether the trauma experienced is acute, chronic, or developmental in nature—it can negatively influence habits, roles, routines and contribute to a lower sense of competency, self-worth, and belonging. Trauma disrupts participation and satisfaction in occupation. Occupational therapists can acquire the skills to respond to the needs of individuals, families, and communities that have experienced trauma, but the research supporting our involvement is limited. 

Join our panelists who will:

  • Provide an overview of trauma & principles of trauma-informed care (TIC)
  • Discuss the existing content of occupational therapy driven TIC research
  • Reveal gaps in research for OT role in TIC
  • Identify supports and barriers to conducting this research
  • Provide ways in which front line clinicians can contribute evidence about the positive impact of OT in TIC delivery
  • Explore ways to address needs of clients to improve delivery of care without risk of causing new trauma or triggering prior trauma

Eleanor Slagle Lecture, Friday, April 1, 2022, 5:15 p.m.–6:30 p.m. CT

Finding Our Strengths: Recognizing Professional Bias and Interrogating Systems with AOTF Board Vice Chair, Kristie Patten, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA

Additional AOTF Sessions and Events:

  • Future Scientists Institute, Saturday, April 2, 8 am. CT

  • AOTF/AOTA Awards & Recognitions Ceremony, Saturday, April 2, 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. CT

    View acceptance speeches from a few of the awardees. See full 2022 list.

  • Research Excellence Symposium OnDemand

    Presentations from Early Career and Mid-Career Awardees, and newly inducted members to the Academy of Research. 
    View

2021 

  • AOTA-AOTF Award Ceremony, April 26 - View on Youtube

  • Research Excellence Symposium, April 14

    Presentations from Early Career and Mid-Career Awardees, and newly inducted members to the Academy of Research.
    ACADEMY OF RESEARCH INDUCTEES
    Kathleen Doyle Lyons, ScD, OTR/L, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
    Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

    AOTF EARLY CAREER RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARDEE
    Chih-Ying "Cynthia" Li, PhD, OTR/L, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
    AOTF MID-CAREER RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARDEE
    Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
    View Recording

  • AOTF Scavenger Hunt

    OT Students: Chance to win 1 of 5 $50 Amazon gift cards. Complete the scavenger hunt by Apr. 29, 2021.
    Sponsored by EBS Healthcare
    Learn More
     
  • PTE Events conducted separately from AOTA conference this year.

Long-running AOTF Events at the AOTA Annual Conference

Kristin Bukovsky
/ Categories: News

AOTF/MJFF Grant Recipient: Overcoming Motivational Roadblocks to Fitness

A new project funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation uses goal setting, feedback and self-management strategies to help people with Parkinson’s overcome challenges to physical activity.

Katrina Long with ClientPhysical activity can improve Parkinson’s symptoms — balance, mood and memory changes, to name a few — and some studies show it may slow disease progression. But, for varied complex reasons, many people with Parkinson’s do not follow a regular exercise routine.

Occupational therapist Dr. Katrina Long, EdD, MS, is addressing some of those reasons with a client-centered program funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF). Long’s project was selected through a funding program announced by the partners in 2020. We talked with Dr. Long, assistant professor of occupational therapy at San Jose State University, about her study and its goals.

MJFF/AOTF: Congratulations on your award and thank you for this important work. Please tell us about your study.

Long: Thank you! Studies show how exercise benefits the body and the brain. But we also see that people with Parkinson’s decline in their physical activity compared to other adults their age, even before changes in gait and stability. This could be due to, among other factors, issues of motivation and lack of knowledge and support.

This program creates a paradigm shift from exercise being a matter of compliance — "this is what you have to do” — to adherence, where a person is exercising because they see the value in it.

MJFF/AOTF: So, changing the way we look at exercise to encourage physical activity.

Long: That’s right. The participants meet with an occupational therapist to set goals for their fitness across the domains of exercise: aerobic, strength, balance training and stretching. We discuss needs and motivation with the client: Where do they feel they’d like to improve? Do they respond to more extrinsic motivation like getting an award or to intrinsic motivation such as feeling good about helping their wellness. These conversations help participants pick the types of exercise and set personal goals. In addition, we focus on identifying barriers and supports to their exercise engagement and working collaboratively to create a plan that enables success in their goals. This client-centered approach makes them more likely to follow through.

Often after diagnosis some people with Parkinson’s can have a negative outlook on their future selves and abilities, which may affect their current behavior and engagement. An important part of the intervention is providing role models or examples of people living with PD. Each participant also receives the Engage-PD Workbook that provides disease-specific information alongside encouraging quotes and images from people living with PD.

In addition, the participants wear a Fitbit that gives them real-time data on their activity. They can report back to the therapist and can see their progress. This feedback, in addition to the positive role-modeling, helps to support their exercise self-efficacy, which is their belief in their ability to accomplish their goals.

This program is based on my dissertation pilot study, called Pre-Active-PD, that I completed at Columbia University under Dr. Lori Quinn in the Neurorehabilitation Research Lab.

MJFF/AOTF: How are you measuring progress toward the goals the clients set?

Long: At the start of the study, participants will wear an ActiGraph, a wearable device that measures physical activity. They will wear it for one week to capture their physical activity levels. Then at the end of the four-month study they will wear it for another week to look for changes in activity.

They also will complete questionnaires on their physical activity behaviors to complement the wearables output. In an earlier pilot we saw that there was an increase in planned physical activity.

MJFF/AOTF: Is there a control group to assess how effective these strategies may be?

Long: We are recruiting 50 people for the study. Half will receive the intervention. The other 25 will still have visits with an occupational therapist but will receive exercise education without goal setting or feedback through the Fitbit. We will compare the activity of each group to evaluate the impact of our intervention.

MJFF/AOTF: Part of your funding application was around engaging underrepresented populations. Can you share more on those plans?

Long: There is a gap in service provisions to underrepresented populations and in research with volunteers from these communities. For these reasons, we are prioritizing outreach toward an inclusive study cohort.

We are recruiting around San Jose, California and in New York City, at Columbia University’s Neurorehabilitation Research Lab. In New York, we have been working with our multidisciplinary team on community engagement in the Harlem and Washington Heights neighborhoods, and hope to recruit individuals from the Latinx and Black and African American communities.

A therapist on our team speaks Spanish, and we have translated the workbook that we share with participants into Spanish as well.

MJFF/AOTF: You are recruiting at those locations, but the visits are virtual.

Long: Correct. Our therapists will be using telehealth visits to meet with the participants. We understand that means that participants will need to have access to the Internet, but we hope not having to come into the clinic will help with recruitment and compliance. I am planning to have tablets and hot spots available for participants who do not have the technology supports to participate.

We are only recruiting close to the sites, though, due to licensing and share of data with local neurologists. We hope to open the program more broadly in the future.

MJFF/AOTF: When people think of occupational therapy, a project like this may not be the type of work that comes to mind. Can you tell us more about the different roles those in your field can play for people with Parkinson’s disease?

Long: Typically, referrals for occupational therapy come late in Parkinson’s disease stage to address issues with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, personal hygiene and functional mobility. Occupational therapists also address activities to support daily life within the home and community, which we call Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). IADLs include communication management and home management, for example.

This program has a particular focus on health management, which includes activities related to developing, managing, and maintaining health and wellness routines. This includes symptom and condition management, emotional health, communication with the health care system, medication management, nutrition management, and physical activity.

It’s important that people with Parkinson’s are able to express their needs and have access to resources and supports within the health care system. The best approach to treating Parkinson’s is a collaborative interdisciplinary team. I believe interventions that target health management early in the disease can help people with Parkinson’s establish health promoting habits routines that last a lifetime.

MJFF/AOTF: Thanks for your time and again for this important work, Katrina. We’ll be following along closely!

Reference MJFF article

AOTF collaborates with partners to award emerging research grants as part of its mission to advance the science of occupational therapy.

 

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