2021 TNOTA Annual Conference & Student Track Speaker Biographies

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Short Courses

8:00-8:50:

Short Course 1: OT’s Role in Vestibular Rehab for Post-Concussion Care. Speaker: Jerry Lee Williams, OTD, OTR/L is a graduate of UTHSC with a degree in occupational therapy. Dr. Williams completed a clinical doctorate in OT in 2017. Dr. Williams has 26 years of clinical experience working with adults and older adults. Dr. Williams has clinical experience running an outpatient clinic with a focus on work, stroke and vestibular dysfunction. Dr. Williams is actively engaged in research in cognitive-motor interference and has been awarded an AOTF grant to study health disparities in access to OT services after stroke in Medicaid recipients in Tennessee.

Short Course 2: The Integral Role of the Occupational Therapy Practitioner in Finger and Partial Hand Prosthetic Intervention. Speaker: Tania Garcia obtained her bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at Austin and quickly started her career in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation field. With a background in teaching and empowering the allied healthcare academic space, Tania has a knack for igniting and cultivating cross-functional clinical relationships within the healthcare community. Her passion for helping the underserved amputee community and empowering their care team led her to the South Central EOS role at NP. Outside of empowering the healthcare community through education, she enjoys outdoor activities like cycling and attending any UT athletic events.

9:00-9:50:

Short Course 3: The NBCOT® Disciplinary Action Program: Serving the Public Interest. **This course will be presented virtually** Speaker: Shaun Conway, OTR is a certified occupational therapist who currently serves as Senior Director, External and Regulatory Affairs for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) where he has worked for over 27 years. In this capacity, he is currently responsible for the oversight of organizational functions related to state regulation, international regulatory services, and community outreach.

Short Course 4: Special Interest in Hand Therapy: 'Passions and Pearls.’ Speaker: Peggy Haase, OTR, CHT is a graduate of the University of Florida Occupational Therapy program with a Bachelors of Science degree. She is a founding member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and has been a hand therapy specialist since 1976 and a certified hand therapist since 1991. Ms. Haase has treated a wide variety of orthopaedic, plastic surgery, and rheumatology patients, achieving a diverse experience in occupational therapy hand therapy. Enjoys being a lifelong learner and enjoys being challenged with occupational therapy and hand therapy. Has spoken at local conferences, Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association conferences, and ASHT national conferences. Intrigued with today’s challenges of the art and science of clinical practice, her therapeutic focus is to achieve highest functional use of the upper extremity.

10:00-10:50:

Short Course 5: Homelessness and COVID-19: Lessons Learned. Speakers: Thaddeus Meyer, COTA, Rita Troxtel, OTD, OTR/L, CAL, CPAM.

Thaddeus Meyer, COTA is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with licensure in Tennessee. He has 6 years of experience as a COTA and 10 years of experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive and physical disabilities. Mr. Meyer is currently working in a Covid-19 homeless shelter for men, women and families through Metro Social Services Emergency COVID Homeless Shelter in Nashville, TN.

Rita Troxtel, OTD, OTR/L, CAL, CPAM recently joined Lincoln Memorial University as an Associate Professor. Previous Associate Professor and Department Chair from Tennessee State University, Department of Occupational Therapy. Clinical experience includes orthopedics, pediatrics to geriatrics, mental health. 

Short Course 6: Building Community Connections Through Experiential Learning in an OT Program. Speaker: Ashley Held, MS, OTR/L serves as an Assistant Professor in the MSOT program at Milligan University. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University in 2002 and is currently pursuing a Post Professional Doctorate in OT. Ashley has accumulated nearly 20 years of experience in OT practice, working in the areas of school-based, community-based, out-patient, home care, and telehealth. She has also served in adjunct faculty positions. Her research interests include the effective use of telehealth in underserved populations as well as community-based OT practice.

11:00-11:50:

Short Course 7: Culturally Sensitive Practice to Establish Meaningful Connections. Speakers: Lena Roll, OTS, Stedmon Hopkins, MOT, OTR/L.

Lena Roll is an occupational therapy student at Tennessee State University. She is the founder and co-chair of TSU’s COTAD Chapter and has a passion for DEI initiatives. She is also a member of the TNOTA Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Stedmon Hopkins currently works at Tennessee Wesleyan University. He has a Bachelor in Occupational Science and a Masters of Occupational Therapy, both from Eastern Kentucky University, and is working toward his doctorate there as well. He has been an occupational therapist since 2014 and has worked in skilled nursing facilities and home health. He currently serves on the TNOTA Diversity Committee and has developed a deeper interest in culturally sensitive practices.

Short Course 8: Shaping Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults Through Professional Socialization. Speakers: Christine A. Watt, PhD, OTR/L, CPAM, Lauren Beard, MS, OTR/L, CPAM.

Christine A. Watt, PhD, OTR/L, CPAM received a BS in Occupational Therapy - University of Southern Indiana (2004) MS Rehabilitation Counseling (2007) and PhD (2019) in Rehabilitation- Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Eight years academic experience as an assistant professor and AFWC for programs in Tennessee and Kentucky and 13 years clinical experience in school settings, lymphedema management, industrial rehabilitation, home health, and long-term care. The initial occupational therapist in two rural critical access hospitals, helping establish permanent OT services in underserved communities.

Lauren Beard, MS, OTR/L, CPAM is an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator of the Occupational Therapy Program at Tennessee State University. She received her Master of Occupational Therapy from Tennessee State University and Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Lipscomb University. She is currently pursuing her Post Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Lauren holds experience in OT practice working with adult and geriatric populations in long term care and home health settings. Her current certifications include LSVT BIG, physical agent modalities, and fieldwork educator.

1:40-2:30:

Short Course 9: TNOTA Advocacy Panel: Lessons learned in 2020 and beyond. Speakers: Cindy DeRuiter Blackwell, OTD, OTR/L, Susan McDonald, EdD, OTR/L, Courtney Atnip, Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS, Mary C. Barnes, MOT, CHT.

Dr. Cindy DeRuiter Blackwell, OTD, OTR/L is the president of the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association. She earned her MS and post-professional OTD degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Blackwell is a pediatric practitioner who has worked in a variety of pediatric settings and is currently serving as the Director of Medical Services at Project Play Therapy. She is an AOTA Emerging Leader (2014).

Susan McDonald, EdD, OTR/L is an Associate Professor and Founding Chair of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Occupational Therapy Department. She received her doctorate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, her master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and her bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. During her career she has served numerous leadership roles in state associations, including President, President-Elect, District Chairperson, and Legislative Chairperson. She also served as a member and Chairperson of a State Regulatory Board. She provides education to hundreds of therapists throughout the state on the topic of ethics and jurisprudence. She has served on numerous boards serving children and families. She has worked independently and in collaboration with others to expand the knowledge base of occupational therapy.

Courtney Atnip began lobbying over a decade ago for persons with disabilities needing healthcare and she has never stopped being a tireless advocate for clients. She manages complicated public policy issues and develops multi-tiered, targeted strategic plans to achieve positive outcomes largely through managing legislative agendas, grass roots initiatives, and public information campaigns. Atnip has built a reputation throughout Tennessee for rolling up her sleeves to find the best solution for clients. She and her husband live in Nashville with their daughter Lizzie. She holds undergraduate and Master's degrees from the University of Tennessee and is a native of Knoxville.

Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS has been an OT practitioner for 30 years. She is the program director and an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She serves as Vice Chair of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) and is Tennessee’s representative for AOTA’s Representative Assembly. She hosts the On The air podcast about OT. Her research interests center on the impact of technology in the clinical and educational arenas with an emphasis on technology for learners with diverse needs. Stephanie received the TNOTA Educator of the Year Award in 2020.

Mary C. Barnes, MOT, CHT has over 35 years experience as an occupational therapist. She has been a certified hand therapist and a member of the American Society of Hand Therapist for over 20 years. She served on the Legislative and Reimbursement Committee, International Committee and in the Education Division of the ASHT. She was Chairman of the Tennessee Board of Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. She has taught hand therapy and orthotics courses for ASHT, TOTA and Cross Country Education. She has been the recipient of multiple awards including "Award of Excellence ", "Therapist of the Year" and "Pioneer Award" from TnOTA and the Vargas Grant from AAHS. She was nominated for the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer of the Year Award. Ms. Barnes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Tennessee Technological University and her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University.

Short Course 10: Occupational Therapy's Role in Sexuality Education for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Speaker: Elizabeth K. Schmidt, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Lincoln Memorial University. She received her PhD and Masters of Occupational Therapy from the Ohio State University and postdoctoral training at Boston University. Her research interests are in promoting sexual and reproductive health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through accessible sexual health education.

2:40-3:30:

Short Course 11: The Anatomy of an Occupational Therapy Ally. Speakers: Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS, DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L.

Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS has been an OT practitioner for 30 years. She is the program director and an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She serves as Vice Chair of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) and is Tennessee’s representative for AOTA’s Representative Assembly. She hosts the On The air podcast about OT. Her research interests center on the impact of technology in the clinical and educational arenas with an emphasis on technology for learners with diverse needs. Stephanie received the TNOTA Educator of the Year Award in 2020.

DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L is a graduate of Loma Linda University, and has been an OT practitioner for 6+ years. She currently serves as the lead Occupational Therapist serving on the cardiovascular ICU and medical ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has professional experience in acute/ICU care, geriatrics, and early intervention pediatrics. She is currently the founding chair of the diversity committee for TNOTA. Her personal and professional interests include OT and ADL performance within critical care, diversity and equity initiatives, and practitioner mental health and personal development.

Short Course 12: Emotions as Meaningful Occupations: Using Emotion-language to Foster Possibilities in our Professional Interactions. Speaker: Gary Davidson, PhD (c), MDiv, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT is Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Milligan University, Johnson City, TN. Gary has served clients in inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, and home health settings while devoting most of his clinical career to hand therapy collaborations. He earned his Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential in 2006. Currently, Gary is a PhD candidate at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. He is conducting qualitative, social constructionist, practice-based education research into the creative use of emotions for enhancing occupational therapy higher education. Gary, his wife Carrie, and their daughters live in Johnson City, TN.

Workshops

8:00-9:45: 

Workshop 1: Meaningful Connections: OT and OTA Inter-relationships. Speakers: Susan Sain, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Jason Gonzales, COTA/L, Becky Ross, BS, COTA/L, Danielle Kissane, MOTR/L.

Susan Sain, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA earned her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and her masters degree in public health from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has been practicing occupational therapy for 36 years spanning mental health, early intervention, pediatrics, geriatrics, and academia. Of all awards received, she is most honored with becoming a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Jason Gonzales, COTA/L earned his occupational therapy assistant degree from Roane State Community College. He has a track record in geriatric care, with five years of experience in skilled nursing facilities and three years in the home health setting. Currently, he is the director of rehab at a skilled nursing facility.  

Becky Ross, BS, COTA/L holds an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Jackson State Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Union University. She has spent the last eleven years working with children from birth to age 20. She currently practices as a COTA/L in the school setting and pediatric outpatient setting. Her favorite things about being an occupational therapy assistant are coming up with fun, meaningful activities; educating families; and watching her clients overcome obstacles.

Danielle Kissane, MOTR/L is an OTR who has been practicing for 4 years. Danielle graduated from Misericordia University in Dallas PA, and assisted in research on Lego based play to improve social skills in children with Autism. She has worked in several settings including SNF, home health, schools, and outpatient clinics. Danielle has worked in both NY and TN. She is an SOS trained feeding therapist who is pursuing a feeding certification, and is also passionate about sensory integration, reflex integration, and vision.

10:00-11:45:

Workshop 2: Harnessing the Power of Placebos and Top-down Cortical Reorganization. Speakers: Mary C. Barnes, MOT, CHT, Lisa Perrone, OTR/L, CHT, CKTP.

Mary C. Barnes, MOT, CHT has over 35 years experience as an occupational therapist. She has been a certified hand therapist and a member of the American Society of Hand Therapist for over 20 years. She served on the Legislative and Reimbursement Committee, International Committee and in the Education Division of the ASHT. She was Chairman of the Tennessee Board of Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. She has taught hand therapy and orthotics courses for ASHT, TOTA and Cross Country Education. She has been the recipient of multiple awards including "Award of Excellence ", "Therapist of the Year" and "Pioneer Award" from TnOTA and the Vargas Grant from AAHS. She was nominated for the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer of the Year Award. Ms. Barnes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Tennessee Technological University and her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University.

Lisa Perrone, OTR/L, CHT, CKTP has over 30 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist and over 25 years as a Certified Hand Therapist.  She graduated from Northeast Louisiana University.  Lisa is Certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and is a Certified KinesioTape Practitioner from Kinesio University.  She has worked at a Level I Trauma Center for the past 14 years where she treats patients with a variety of UE trauma as well as repetitive motion injuries.  Lisa has spoken at ASHT conference, ASHT sponsored courses, Vanderbilt sponsored courses, and various other courses at the local and national level.  She is a member of the ASHT Education Division and serves on the student offerings and traveling courses committees.  Lisa is a member of ASHT, AOTA and TNOTA.  She enjoys fabricating orthotics, doing wound-care and networking with other therapists.  She believes that the key to achieving excellent patient outcomes is addressing the patient’s psychosocial as well as physical needs.

Workshop 3: Using More Complex Fine Motor Tasks to Present the “Just Right Challenge.” Speaker: Stephen Penick, MS, OTR/L received his master’s degree in OT from Washington University School of Medicine in 1990. He has practiced in the areas of hand therapy, school based therapy as well as geriatrics. From 2007-2014 he had the opportunity to teach in the OT program at TSU before returning to practice where he now works in the Obion County school system. While at TSU Stephen worked towards his doctorate in special education with an emphasis in the provision of handwriting intervention through service learning. Stephen is the father of 5 children and has 2 grandchildren as well as an avid beekeeper.

1:40-3:25:

Workshop 4: Using Telehealth to Reach More Populations. Speakers: Tanner Petty, OTDS, Barbara Meussner, OTR/L, MBA, Alicia Rinks, OTR/L, Allison Shackelford, OTR/L, Sandra Dicks, OTS.

Tanner Petty, OTDS is 2021 graduate from Arkansas State University’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. She completed her Doctoral Capstone Experience: Online Occupations: An Occupational Therapy Telehealth Resource Manual for Adults with Disabilities at the Therapy & Learning Center in Jackson, TN. She also completed her Research Capstone: Sensory Modulation Terminology: A Scoping Review of Occupational Therapy’s Terminology for Children with ASD this year

Barbara Meussner, OTR/L, MBA graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 1990 and received her MBA in 1996 Ga Southern University. She is currently the Special Programs Manager Therapy and Learning Center in Jackson, TN, where she manages hippotherapy, therapies for the adult programs, and assistive technology programs. She also participates in mission-oriented practice providing OT interventions and ministry to the homeless at 360 Hope Mission in Jackson, TN. She is a previous Executive Director for Easter Seals, Fort Myers, FL, and also owned a private practice of 40+ clinicians in Cape Coral for 10 years. She most recently launched her own private practice in the West TN area, OTTER with Barb where she provides outreach and telehealth services through Simple Practice.

Alicia Rinks, OTR/L is an occupational therapist at Therapy and Learning Center. She earned a master’s degree in 2019 in occupational therapy from University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She works within the settings of outpatient pediatrics, school systems, and the Adult Day Program. Alicia presented for TNOTA state conference in 2020 on the Adult Day Program that services adults with disabilities.

Allison Shackelford, OTR/L is an occupational therapist for West Tennessee Healthcare and is at the Therapy and Learning Center. She earned a master's degree in 2009 in occupational therapy from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She works within the settings of school systems, outpatient pediatrics, and the Rainbow Riding Academy. She has also worked in the settings of inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and skilled nursing facilities. 

Sandra Dicks, OTS earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree at The University of Tennessee at Martin in 2019. She is currently an OT student at Tennessee State University. She will graduate in December of 2022. Sandra has a 16-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. She aides her daughter during telehealth occupational therapy sessions. 

Workshop 5: Pain Neuroscience Education and Treatment for Chronic Pain Including CRPS. Peripheral and Central Sensitization and Clinical Signs Related to Cortical Reorganization. Speaker: Christina Woods, OTR/L, CHT is a TNOTA member and an occupational therapist for BenchMark Physical Therapy in Lebanon, TN. She is also a Certified Hand Therapist since 2017 and an academic instructor at TSU’s graduate OT program Spring 2021. She graduated from TSU in 2013 and pursued a career in hand therapy just over a year from graduating. She is currently Graston technique certified and dry needled certified. Advancing the field of Occupational Therapy is of the utmost importance to her which is why she is part of the matriculant class at UAB’s post professional OTD program Fall 2021. Her intent is to pursue research on chronic pain, specifically CRPS.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

Short Courses

9:45-10:35

Short Course 13: Promoting Critical Thinking in Online OT Courses. Speaker: Elicia Cruz, PhD, OTR/L is a clinical assistant professor at the University of TN Chattanooga. She has 17 years of experience in OT education and over 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She has a master’s degree in health education and promotion and a PhD in occupational therapy. Her practice and research have focused largely on community mental health practice and geriatric rehabilitation.

Short Course 14: Microaggressions and Implicit bias within the Professional Setting. Speakers: Morgan Booth, OTS, Allison Nance, OTS.

Morgan Booth, OTS is planning to graduate in December 2021 from TSU with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Her undergraduate degree is in Kinesiology at the University of Montevallo. During this time she was President of Kinesiology Honors society, named to Women’s Track and field all academic team as well as earned a conference championship in Track. For the past two years she has been the Alumni/Supervisor Relations officer for TSU’s student-led Tiger Clinic. She is the Co-founder of Coalition of Occupational Therapists Advocating for Diversity chapter at her program, TNOTA’s Middle District Secretary and a member of TNOTA's DEI committee.

Allison Nance, OTS is a second year Master of Occupational Therapy student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center who will be graduating in May 2022. She has a B.S. in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. As a wellness professional of 11 years, she advocated for healthy lifestyle behavior change and relationship building. Currently, she serves as the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) Diversity Chair and UTHSC Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) Chapter Chair. She also serves as a West District Co-Chair for TNOTA, College of Health Professions Representative for the Black Student Association, and a member of TNOTA’s Diversity and Inclusion committee.

10:45-11:35

Short Course 15: Behavioral Activation Strategies to Improve Client Engagement. Speaker: Katy Schmidt, OTD, OTR/L is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to teaching, Katy completed the Mental Health Occupational Therapy Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She has clinical experience serving children and adults in inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient psychiatric clinics, school systems, criminal justice systems, and community-based programs. Katy is especially passionate about serving individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and chronic pain as a clinician, educator, researcher, and advocate. She earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University.

Short Course 16: Promoting Inclusive and Affirming Occupational Therapy Practice for the LGBTQIA+ Community. Speakers: Lauren Hanna, OTD, OTR/L, Roya Rezadoost, OTD, OTR/L.

Lauren Hanna, OTD, OTR/L is a registered and licensed Doctor of Occupational Therapy who graduated from Belmont University in 2020. Lauren is currently practicing in the inpatient rehabilitation and acute care settings in Nashville. Lauren has participated in research and publications surrounding pediatric power mobility as well as pediatric sensory perceptions from self and caregiver perspectives while at Belmont. She is passionate about Queer Healthcare as an emerging practice area, pediatrics, and providing holistic and trauma-informed care in all settings.

Roya Rezadoost, OTD, OTR/L is working as a pediatric OT for Williamson County in the Early Childhood program. She graduated from Belmont University with her OTD and James Madison University with a B.S. in Health Sciences with a Minor in Substance Abuse Prevention. While at Belmont, she helped conduct a study surrounding animal assisted therapy and reduced anxiety in mental health court. She is passionate about serving marginalized populations and mental health across the lifespan.

Workshops

9:45-11:15

Workshop 6: Introduction to Dry Needling. This session does not provide any certification in the use of Dry Needling techniques. Speakers: Mary C. Barnes, MOT, CHT, Christina Woods, MOT, CHT.

Mary C. Barnes, MOT, CHT has over 35 years experience as an occupational therapist. She has been a certified hand therapist and a member of the American Society of Hand Therapist for over 20 years. She served on the Legislative and Reimbursement Committee, International Committee and in the Education Division of the ASHT. She was Chairman of the Tennessee Board of Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. She has taught hand therapy and orthotics courses for ASHT, TOTA and Cross Country Education. She has been the recipient of multiple awards including "Award of Excellence ", "Therapist of the Year" and "Pioneer Award" from TnOTA and the Vargas Grant from AAHS. She was nominated for the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer of the Year Award. Ms. Barnes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Tennessee Technological University and her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University.

Christina Woods, MOT, CHT is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist who has been working in outpatient rehabilitation for almost 10 years. She is a certified dry needling practitioner. She is an adjunct professor at Tennessee State University.

Workshop 7: What’s the Deal with Oral Ties? Speakers: Mariann Frigo, MS, OTR, Cindy Winthrow, PT

Mariann Frigo, MS, OTR with a Bachelor's degree in Ocuaptional Thapry '85' and Master's degree in Community Counseling '86' and Purdue Entrepreneurship program '00.' Business experience crating and running several multi-million-dollar therapy companies including CEO of First Care Rehab Inc, a for profit contract company and Founder/Executive Director of Jacob's Ladder Pediatrics, a not-for-profit Early Intervention and Out-patient center in Northwest Indiana for the past 35 years.

Cindy Winthrow, PT:Indiana School of Medicine, BS Physical Therapy 1987. Cindy has been diagnosing and treating children throughout NW Indiana for the past 34 years. Her specialty is in early intervention and is recognized throughout the region as a leader in the field of pediatric therapy. Cindy has been with Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center since 1998 and serves as the primary mentor and trainer for new physical therapy staff, teaching infant positioning/handling, joint mobilization, kinesiotaping, pediatric seating, and orthotics management. In addition, she provides cross discipline training and in-home consults on postural control and movement, gait dysfunction, sensory processing, reflex integration, torticollis, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, prematurity, and developmental delays. While working as an evaluator on the Early Intervention team for the past 20 years, Cindy has taken a special interest in oral restrictions and their secondary effects on milestone acquisition. Over the past 5 years, Cindy (and Mariann) have been providing lip and tongue tie screenings with each Early Intervention evaluation and consistently see a high correlation between children who qualify for services due to milestone delays and exhibiting an oral restriction. This correlation has prompted Cindy to further investigate oral restrictions, help initiate a feeding clinic at Jacob’s Ladder, and educate the community and other professionals on the importance of screening for oral restrictions.

STUDENT TRACK SESSIONS

Student Track Session 1 (Saturday 8:00-8:50): NBCOT® National Certification Exam: Information You Need to Know for Success. *students only* **This course will be presented virtually** Speaker: Shaun Conway, OTR is a certified occupational therapist who currently serves as Senior Director, External and Regulatory Affairs for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) where he has worked for over 27 years. In this capacity, he is currently responsible for the oversight of organizational functions related to state regulation, international regulatory services, and community outreach.

Student Track Session 2 (Saturday 10:00-10:50): New Practitioner and Current Student Panel. *students only* Speakers: Rebecca Whitaker, OTD, OTR/L, Metta Devine-Qin, MOTS, Meagan Oslund, OTD, OTR/L, Madison Quan, OTS, Delaney Moor, OTAS.

Rebecca Whitaker, OTD, OTR/L is a graduate from Belmont’s OTD program who hopes to work in a skilled nursing facility, inpatient rehab, or home health setting. She has a particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases and is a published journal author. Rebecca presented at the 2021 AOTA conference and the 2020 TNOTA conference. She was awarded the 2021 Distinguished OTD Leadership Award upon graduation. She is a member of TNOTA’s Student Involvement Committee, a member of TNOTA’s 2021 Conference Planning Committee and the Student Track at Conference Planning Committee, and she co-coordinated the 2020 TNOTA Virtual Student Track at Conference.

Metta Devine-Qin, MOTS has been working with people with disabilities since she was six. Beginning with Triad camp run by Vanderbilt in elementary school. She loves working with all adults and completed a 222 hour internship in geriatric rehabilitation. In graduate school she was elected first year representative and holds a position on Tiger Board, a community rehab clinic. Metta is ecstatic to begin her career in service of those in need.

Meagan Oslund, OTD, OTR/L recently graduated from UTC’s OTD program. While teaching piano, a mom who wanted her son with autism to take lessons approached her. After shadowing the student's OT, Meagan knew OT was her calling and thrived in finding ways to help him be successful. During fieldwork, she enjoyed acute care, outpatient neuro, and ortho rehabilitation, but found her passion working with pediatrics primitive reflex integration and feeding therapy. She works for North Georgia Pediatric Therapies specializing in feeding therapy and is completing her SOS certification. Meagan is on the TNOTA Communications committee and creates the graphics for TNOTA's social media.

Madison Quan, OTS is a second-year in Belmont’s OTD program. She hopes to work in outpatient rehab, inpatient rehab, or acute care settings. She is interested in hand therapy and neurological and nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, and various peripheral neuropathies. Madison is eager to work with all ages and populations, although she has a special passion for supporting occupational participation in those with disabilities such as ASD and Down Syndrome. She is the treasurer for Belmont’s Student Occupational Therapy Association and is also the treasurer for Belmont’s Pi Theta Epsilon National Honor Society of Occupational Therapy. 

Delaney Moor, OTAS is a first year OTA student at South College in Nashville. Her goal is to work in outpatient/inpatient rehabilitation for pediatrics with sensory integration and sensory processing. While volunteering in "Best Buddies" program and being a cheer co-coach for individuals with special needs, Delaney saw how beneficial it was to engage children with special needs in meaningful activities. Working as a preschool assistant director along with coursework has given her extensive experience with children. Delaney is a member of the TNOTA Student Track at Conference Planning Committee and is the TNOTA Student Liaison of South College - Nashville.

Student Track Session 3 (Saturday 11:00-11:50): Adaptive Equipment: How Do I Get My Client What They Need? *open to students and practitioners* Speaker: Missy Bryan, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, CPST has 10 years’ experience in pediatric seating and mobility, transportation, and other adaptive equipment services and 22 years’ experience in pediatric occupational therapy in outpatient and home health settings. She teaches in the OTD and MSOT programs at Belmont University and has served as the OTD Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the past 3 years. She has presented locally, nationally, and internationally on seating and mobility, assistive technology, and transportation of children with special health care needs. Her publications and research center around safe transportation for children and interprofessional education.

Student Track Session 4 (Saturday 1:40-2:30): Preventing Practitioner Burnout. ***Cancelled by the Speaker*** *students only* Speaker: Tracey Hunt, OTA/L, OTS began her second career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2008 after graduating from the OTA program at Nashville State Community College and has worked in the Skilled Nursing setting since that time. She will soon graduate from Belmont University's MSOT program (August 2021) and is looking forward to life as an OTR/L! Tracey's special interests include seating. positioning and mobility; mental health, and geriatrics. One of her favorite forms of self-care to prevent burnout is attending POUND! classes at the local recreation center.

Student Track Session 5 (Saturday 2:40-3:30): You Graduated, Now What?: Navigating the State Licensure Process. *students only* Speakers: Savannah Carroll, OTD, OTR/L, Carly Fennell, OTD, OTR/L, Chanté Bowens, OTD, OTR/L, Helene Gattie, COTA.

Savannah Carroll, OTD, OTR/L: After earning her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia, she entered the occupational therapy world to explore her passion for disability advocacy and helping others live full and meaningful lives despite disability or chronic conditions. She is a recent OTD graduate from Belmont University and currently practices in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Her academic research was in early pediatric power mobility, and she maintains current research interests in neurological conditions and assistive technology.

Carly Fennell, OTD, OTR/L is a Spring 2021 OTD graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is an Alabama native, and she received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She now currently resides in Chattanooga, TN, and practices in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Her academic research and advocacy efforts centered around OT student wellbeing. Her current practice and advocacy interests include OTs role in cognition, neurological conditions, and holistic elder care.

Chanté Bowens, OTD, OTR/L has lived in many different states but remained in TN for the longest. She received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. After which, she attended Belmont University to study occupational therapy and earned her OTD in Spring 2021. Her academic research focused on support and resources for working family caregivers of older adults. Her current practice and research interests include geriatrics, neurological conditions, low vision, dementia care, assistive technology, and aging in place.

Helene Gattie, COTAis a Spring 2021 graduate of Nashville State Community College’s OTA program. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Canisius College in 2012. She is the 2021 recipient of the OTA academic and leadership award from Nashville State and a member of TNOTA’s Student Involvement Committee. She is originally from NJ, lived in TN from 2014- 2017, and returned in 2019.

Student Track Session 6 (Sunday 10:45-11:35): Sensory Processing: An Overview. *open to students and practitioners* Speaker: Anne Zachry, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor and Chair of the UTHSC Department of Occupational Therapy, is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She received a PhD in Educational Psychology & Research from the University of Memphis in 2010. Prior to joining the UTHSC Occupational Therapy faculty in 2013, Dr. Zachry practiced as a pediatric occupational therapist for over 20 years in a variety of pediatric settings, including the local public school system. Her research interests include enhancing infant and child development through the provision of occupational therapy services.