About OOTA

Who are we?

The Ohio Occupational Therapy Association is a voluntary professional organization of occupational therapy practitioners who are dedicated to supporting the profession through advocacy and communication. The Board of Trustees meets multiple times per year and welcomes input from its members.

Membership services are of primary importance to the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association. In addition to the informational, support and networking opportunities, the continuing education of members is necessary to maintain standards in quality of service delivery. Membership recruitment, development and retention are essential to meet Ohio’s present and future needs for Occupational Therapy.

Our Mission

To promote the profession of occupational therapy, address professional issues in occupational therapy practice and advance the practice of occupational therapy in the state of Ohio.

Our Goals

To serve the members of the association by providing continuing education, support, and resources, and to meet the needs of consumers of occupational therapy in the state of Ohio through advocacy and encouraging the delivery of professional and evidence-based practice.

Our Vision

To improve active participation of all eligible licensees in the state; to provide legislative, educational and ethical information; to promote, support, advocate and represent the OT profession statewide.

Districts

North West

Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, Wyandot

West Central

Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby

Central

Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Union

Southwest

Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Warren

North Coast

Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Ashtabula

North Central

Ashland, Carroll, Harrison, Holmes, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Wayne, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, Trumbull

East Central

Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Washington

South

Brown, Highland, Adams, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Jackson, Vinton, Hocking, Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Athens

Our Leadership

Executive Board

Past President

Becky Finni, DHS, OTR/L, RAC-CT, FAOTA

Term July 2024 – December 2024

President

Christie Tuttle, MS, COTA/L, ROH

Term July 2024 – June 2027

Vice-President

Bonnie Boenig, MEd, OT/L, C/NDT

Term July 2023 – June 2025

Secretary

Katelyn Merzke, COTA/L

Term July 2023 – June 2025

Treasurer

Kara Brogan, OTR/L

Term July 2023 – June 2025

Our Leadership

District Chairs

North Central
North Coast

Rebecca Young, MOT, OTR/L

Diane Ventura, OTR/L

Northwest

POSITION OPEN

West Central

Katrina McWilliams, COTA/L

Jerry Shields, Jr. COTA/L

Central

Amanda Rhodes, MOT, OTR/L

East Central

Mary Arnold, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Southwest

Danielle McClelland Shrimpton, COTA/L

Jessie Kennedy, OTR/L, ATP, CAP

South

Mikel Stone, OTD, OTR/L

Our Leadership

Special Interest Section Coordinators

Older Adults

POSITION OPEN

Mental Health

Natalie Centers, MOTR/L

OT Education

Teri LaGuardia, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

 

Pediatrics/School-Based

Danielle Griffin, MS, OTR/L, BCP, CKTP

Jenny Negrey, MOT, OTR/L

Rehabilitation

Dotti Thompson, OTR/L

Our Leadership

Committee Chairs

Regulations

Stacia Galey OTD, OTR/L

Legislative Chairs

Dr. Amy Watson-Grace, OTR/L, BCP

Nominations

Karen Barth COTA/L

OTA Committee

Toni Durban, BS, COTA/L

DEIJAB Liason

Karla Reese, DHSC, OTR/L

Membership

Cyndi McClure-Hoerst, OTR/L

Student Committee

Bekah Bourgeois, OTR/L, MOT

Social Media / Public Information

Katarina “Kati” Garibian, S/OT

Liason to Licensure Board

Cheryl Boop, MS, OTR/L

Third-Party Reimbursement

POSITION OPEN