AOTA Podcast
Are you looking for a resource that informs and improves the quality of occupational therapy services you provide? Then the AOTA Podcast is for you!
The 2024 AOTA Podcasts are sponsored by
The Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act
On today's episode, we speak with AOTA Director of Quality Jamar Haggans and AOTA Senior Legislative Representative Andy Bopp. We discuss the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act (Bill H.R.7148) and occupational therapy's role and impact within Medicare home health. Jamar and Andy share insights into their efforts to support OT quality and advocacy and provide recommendations for practitioners.
The 2024 AOTA Podcast episodes are sponsored by NYU Steinhardt’s top-ranked Department of Occupational Therapy.
On-demand episodes
Maternal-Infant Mental Health
September 2024
On today's episode we speak with Apple Sepulveda. Apple is a co-founder of the Nurture Collective, occupational therapist and lactation consultant. We discuss the importance and process of addressing maternal and infant mental health within the scope of OT to facilitate improved developmental and wellness outcomes. She shares recommendations for occupational therapy practitioners across settings and resources to support change and best practices.
Postpartum Support International
All Wheels Up: Addressing Air Travel Accessibility
August 2024
On today's episode we speak with Alexandra Bruce. Alexandra serves as the medical advisory board chair and advocacy committee chair for the non-profit organization All Wheels Up. We discuss the barriers and risks that people with disabilities face when participating in air travel, and proposed solutions to improve air travel accessibility. She shares recommendations for occupational therapy practitioners across settings and resources to support change and equity.
Paralyzed Veterans of America- Accessible Air Travel for People with Disabilities
Muscular Dystrophy Association- Accessible Air Travel
All Wheels Up- Research Webpage
Sexuality and Intimacy
July 2024
This podcast contains explicit sexual information and is not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.
On today's episode we speak with certified sexuality counselor and Doctor of OT, Kathryn Ellis. We discuss the book Sexuality and Intimacy and she provides expert opinion and recommendations to help students, clinicians, and researchers improve how they address sexuality and intimacy in practice.
AOTA Press: Sexuality and Intimacy an Occupational Therapy Approach
Peer Mentoring
June 2024
On today's episode we speak with Ariel Schwartz, Micah Peace Urquilla, Nikola Davern, Alix Herer, Jesse, and Dheva about their research and experiences with peer mentorship for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. They share perspectives and recommendations to encourage stakeholder participation and leadership in the development and application of peer mentoring programs.
Podcast: Meet Boston University Peer Mentoring Research Team
Video: Boston University Mentoring and Research Team
Article: "Being A Part of Something"
Streamlining OT Care with Artificial Intelligence
May 2024
On today's episode we speak with early AI adopters Vijay Muni and Jayson Davies who recently presented a webinar titled Integrating Artificial Intelligence into OT Practice. Their webinar outlines how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance occupational therapy services and today they share helpful AI resources and techniques to help the practitioner streamline care.
Free Webinar: Integrating Artificial Intelligence in OT Practice
Billing and Coding for Caregiver Training Services
April 2024
The Current Procedural Terminology 2024 code that is effective as of January 1, 2024, includes a new subsection containing three new codes related to caregiver training without the patient present. On this episode we speak with AOTA's incoming Executive Director, Katie Jordan, about the changes and implications for billing and coding practices.
Mental Health First Aid
March 2024
On today's episode we speak with Christine Urish about Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
Resources:
National suicide and crisis lifeline: 988
Crisis text line: 741-741
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth; phone: 866-488-7386 or text: 678-678
To locate a Mental Health First Aid course in your community
Mindspring Mental Health Alliance FREE WEBINARS typically over lunch about a WIDE range of mental health, wellness and wellbeing topics
Celebrating 50 Years of the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus
February 2024
Today we are joined by three founders of the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (NBOTC), Dr. Joyce Lane, Ms. Jerry Bentley, and Dr. Lela Llorens, and the current NBOTC President, Dr. Riqiea Kitchens. Also joining us in the interview is Varleisha Lyons, VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Access, and Belonging at AOTA. Our guests reflect on their experiences in occupational therapy and preview the NBOTC 50th anniversary celebration, “An Enduring Legacy,” planned for AOTA INSPIRE 2024.
Learn more about NBOTC and get involved
Toxic Stress in Children and Youth
January 2024
We speak with Maribeth Clifton, occupational therapist and professor at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She shares details about her 2023 AOTA INSPIRE short course as we discuss stress, trauma, occupational performance, and provide recommendations on how to address mental health and community health as a practitioner.
Article: Toxic stress in children and youth
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Center on the Developing Child
Identifying Ethical Dilemmas in Practice
December 2023
On this episode we speak with Leslie Bennett, the Chairperson of the Ethics Commission at AOTA. We discuss medical ethics, common red flags practitioners can keep an eye out for, and outline real life scenarios and recommendations to facilitate ethical awareness and practice.
OT and Public Health
November 2023
On this episode we speak with American International College Professor and CDC Act Early Ambassador, Kate Barlow. We discuss the importance of occupational therapy in public health and how practitioners can increase their scope and have a larger role in public health initiatives.
Find your Act Early Ambassador
Volunteer Leadership Development
October 2023
On this episode we speak with the Chairperson of the Volunteer Leadership Development Committee (VLDC), Moira P. Bushell. She describes the role of the VLDC and outlines how volunteering with AOTA can enhance knowledge, practice, and community.
The Role of Occupational Therapy in the GUIDE Model
September 2023
On this episode we speak with the Executive Director of Memory Care Home Solutions, Jill Cigliana, and Scott Trudeau, the Director of Practice Engagement at AOTA. They outline the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience Model (GUIDE), recently announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and provide recommendations for how OT practitioners can advocate for their own involvement in the model's application.
Dementia Care Evidence Based Programs
AOTA INSPIRE 2024
August 2023
On this episode we speak with Frank Gainer, Vice President of Meetings and Events at AOTA, about the background, concerns, and additional safety measures and efforts related to the INSPIRE 2024 conference in Orlando, Florida.
Maximizing Your Impact as a New Practitioner with AOTA
March 2023
On this episode we speak with Sue Ram and Krysti Teng, new practitioners and emerging leaders within occupational therapy. They share how they've used AOTA resources and connections to transition from students to practitioners. We discuss how to make meaningful connections that encourage best practice and how to combat common struggles including burnout and feeling confident in your practice.
AOTA INSPIRE 2023 Preview
February 22, 2023
On this episode we preview AOTA INSPIRE | 2023 Annual Conference & Expo which takes place in Kansas City, Missouri April 20-23. We speak with AOTA president Alyson Stover, Fireside Chat presenter Sarah Thomas, and Keynote Speaker John O'Leary. They share what they are most excited for about conference, tips and tricks to get the most out of your experience, and preview the messages they will present at INSPIRE 2023.
Connecting 988 and Occupational Therapy Featuring Ginny Stoffel and Lisa Mahaffey
January 25, 2023
On this episode we are joined by Virginia “Ginny” Stoffel and Lisa Mahaffey. Ginny and Lisa were instrumental in the 988 Nationwide mental health crisis and suicide prevention program. We discuss the 988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline, it's connection to occupational therapy, and principles and implications of 988 for occupational therapy practitioners across settings.
Connecting occupational therapy and 988
Connecting OT and 988 infographic
AOTA Billing and Documentation Discussion
December 7, 2022
On this episode we speak with Kelsey Berg, Clinical Operations Manager at Magellan Health and Gina Braswell, Senior Manager of Provider Relations at Magellan Health. They detail their roles in utilization review and share how they approach reviewing occupational therapy documentation and authorization requests. They share important recommendations for quality documentation and quality care.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
AOTA Documentation Practice Essentials
AOTA Advocacy Discussion with Jill Tighe
November 23, 2022
AOTA’s Grassroots and Political Action Committee Specialist Jill Tighe discusses advocacy, policy, and recommendations on how to begin or continue to advocate for occupational therapy. Jill manages AOTA's Legislative Action Center and AOTA's Annual Advocacy Events.
Email with your advocacy questions
AOTA Presents LEAD 360° with Amy Lamb and Sherry Keramidas
October 19, 2022
AOTA’s Executive Director, Sherry Keramidas and past AOTA President Amy Lamb outline the design and content development for the new AOTA LEAD 360° program and share insights and recommendations for OT professionals.
Learn more about AOTA LEAD 360°
AOTA President and Vice President Alyson Stover and Arameh Anvarizadeh
August 17, 2022
Alyson and Arameh discuss the journey that brought them to become AOTA President and Vice President, the priorities and goals for their terms of service, and recommendations for OT professionals across settings to propel our profession to new heights.
AOTA INSPIRE 2022 Keynote Speaker: Bertice Berry, PhD
March 16, 2022
AOTA INSPIRE 2022 keynote speaker, Dr. Bertice Berry, gives insight into her keynote address and shares how one OT practitioner’s advice helped her heal from a head injury.
Final Medicare rule allows occupational therapists to open home health cases
December 9, 2021
The final Medicare home health PPS rule permanently allows occupational therapists to perform the initial and comprehensive assessments required to open Medicare home health therapy cases beginning on January 1, 2022. Jennifer Bogenrief, AOTA Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, Karen Vance, BSOT, and Clarice Grote, MS, OTR/L, share what the final rule means for OTs.
The future of telehealth in occupational therapy
September 15, 2021
Monica Wright, AOTA Manager of Coding and Payment Policy, shares what telehealth advocacy efforts AOTA has done on behalf of the profession. Also, Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, OTPP, FAOTA, a community-based practitioner; and Lourdes Pinder, OTR/L, a school-based practitioner, share how telehealth has impacted their day-to-day work.
AOTA Press upcoming book: Trauma, Occupation, and Participation
August 4, 2021
Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, lead editor of the upcoming AOTA Press book Trauma, Occupation, and Participation: Foundations and Population Considerations in Occupational Therapy shares why it’s critical for occupational therapy practitioners to fully understand how trauma affects the clients they serve.
A closer look at the Therapy Outcomes in Post-Acute Care Settings Study
June 24, 2021
Members of the study’s advisory committee, Sharmila Sandu, JD; Natalie Leland, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, FGSA; and Tracy Mroz, PhD, OTR/L, share key findings and their implications for CMS’ ongoing implementation of post-acute care payment system reforms. Read more about the study.
AOTA celebrates National Occupational Therapy Month
April 29, 2021
As an occupational therapy clinician, educator, researcher, or student, you help people to participate in the things they want and need to do. In today’s episode, we speak with occupational therapists Shannen Marie Coley and Dr. Heather Jackson-Pena, who are using their platforms to educate thousands in celebration of Occupational Therapy Month.
A behind-the-scenes look at AOTA INSPIRE 2021
March 29, 2021
Due to COVID-19 precautions, AOTA is hosting the organization’s first virtual Annual Conference, reimagined as AOTA INSPIRE 2021. In this episode, we touched base with members of AOTA’s Conferences and Events planning team to get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into organizing such a unique conference.
The occupational therapy licensure compact
Feb. 25, 2021
In 2019, representatives from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and the Council of State Governments (CSG) announced that they would collaborate to support developing an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapy. Similar to a driver’s license, this compact will allow practitioners to practice in multiple states without having to secure a new license in each state.
AOTA advocacy priorities and predictions under the new administration
Jan. 20, 2021
New policies, regulations, and laws championed by newly inaugurated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris may impact the occupational therapy profession. AOTA Vice President of Federal Affairs Heather Parsons, MSOT; and AOTA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Sharmila Sandhu, JD, outline their advocacy priorities and predictions under this new Administration.
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week 2020
Dec. 7, 2020
Occupational Therapist Elin Schold-Davis, OTR/L, CDRS, FAOTA, discusses AOTA’s Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and safe travel options for older drivers. She also shares how occupational therapy practitioners should identify individuals’ unique challenges.