OT JEDI

Who Gets to Be a Role Model? Whose voice gets amplified? This episode explores podcasting as a tool for learning and equity with Abbigail Kubiak, OTD, OTR/L, LRC, who is an occupational therapist and educator. Her work focuses on innovative teaching methods in occupational therapy education, particularly the use of podcasting as a tool to expand access to role models, support professional identity...

In this episode of OT JEDI, Dr. Suzanne Rappaport interviews Blaine Robin for a powerful conversation on culture, identity, and the future of occupational therapy. Centered around his work on Caribbean Perspectives on Occupational Therapy in the United Kingdom , this discussion challenges dominant narratives in the profession and amplifies voices that have too often been overlooked. Dr. Robin shar...

How do educators move beyond one-time DEI trainings toward lasting change? In this episode, Audrey L. Zapletal and Karla A. Bell share lessons learned from a longitudinal professional development program focused on sexual and gender minority education. The discussion highlights data-driven outcomes, discomfort as part of learning, and sustainable faculty development. References McCoy, M. A., Levet...

College students today are navigating record levels of anxiety, burnout, and executive function challenges — and traditional academic support services have an increase in demand. In this episode, we explore how occupational therapists can play a critical role in fostering student success, resilience, and belonging on campus. Tune in to learn why higher education needs OT now more than ever. Refere...

For the season four opener, OT JEDI looks at state-level advocacy in occupational therapy with special guest Beth Chiariello, President of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) and Chair of the OT Department at Touro University. Beth shares her insights on how legislation and policy shape everyday OT practice, why staying informed at the state level is essential, and how NYS...

In this episode of OT JEDI, we explore a critical but often overlooked topic—sexual health literacy among older adults living with HIV. Joined by occupational therapists Riley David and Dr. Kathryn Burke, we dive into their pilot study evaluating occupation-based sexual health education programs. We discuss how knowledge, stigma, fear, and pleasure intersect in the lives of older adults, and how o...

In this episode, our guest, Karen Jacobs, explores the role of AI in occupational therapy—from streamlining documentation and facilitating communication through translation to addressing health disparities while considering ethical implications. She discusses AI’s potential in assessment, intervention, client engagement, and its ability to make OT education more equitable. Referenes Alowais, S. A....

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Rowan, an occupational therapist and founder of Essential Pelvic Health, a private practice specializing in pelvic health. She shares her journey into this specialization, the unique needs of clients who benefit from pelvic health services, and the crucial role of advocacy and education in expanding awareness and access to care. Resources Essential Pelvic He...

In this episode of OT JEDI, we sit down with Clarice Grote, occupational therapist, advocate, and founder of Amplify OT, to explore the critical intersection of occupational therapy and healthcare policy. Clarice shares her journey from Columbia University to Capitol Hill, detailing how her experiences shaped her passion for advocacy, equity, and policy-driven change. We discuss how Medicare and h...

In this episode on the OT JEDI Podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome Sarah Vines, who shares her incredible work supporting individuals after top surgery. Sarah discusses best practices for gender-affirming care, the critical role of mental health in the process, and how occupational therapy can make a difference in the lives of transgender clients. Resources WPATH Standards 8: https://www.wpath.o...

Last season in episode 5, we explored the history of Black occupational therapists with guest speaker Toni Solaru. She spoke of systemic barriers in legal, governmental, and educational contexts. Highlights included Lela A. Llorens' 1969 Slagle Lecture, the only one by a person of color, and discussions on initiatives like AOTA's 1988 minority recruitment study, the founding of COTAD and...

Hello, OT JEDI listeners! As we approach the 2024 election, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the enduring importance of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion—our JEDI principles. Since 2020, there’s been a powerful call for justice and equity that has resonated across communities, professions, and industries. But as new challenges arise, we need to keep JEDI values central in all that we do....

Occupational therapists must consider the unique needs of transgender clients to create an inclusive healthcare environment that respects individual identities. Several recent legislation restrict various liberties, including medical treatments, bathroom usage, and preferred pronoun recognition. Transgender individuals often face distinct challenges related to mental health, social support, and he...

Occupational therapy can provide services in many different areas within the prison system. From providing transitional services to inmates getting ready to be released, to focusing on occupational deprivation, to leading groups for an infinite number of topics.  This episode features Ariana Gonzalez, an occupational therapist, executive director, and founder of Life After Incarceration: Transitio...

By the end of 2022, a record-breaking number of people — 108.4 million — have been forced to flee their homes.   Refugees are people who are forced to flee from their country of origin due to violence, oppression, or substantiated fear of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, nationality, membership in a group, or expression of certain political opinions. Refuge...

In June 2022, the Supreme Court's decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization turned the right to obtain or not obtain an abortion over to the states, which is very nuanced.  It is more than just a restriction of women’s rights but in some states, there is an aspect of criminalization.  This presents complications for occupational therapy practitioners in terms of how we pra...

Toni Solaru OT, OTD, OTR talks about the unknown history of occupational therapy.  Dr. Solaru is a community-based mental health OT and the co-founder and Chair of Diverse-OT National, an organization dedicated to advancing the cultural climate within the OT profession and strives to create a community of critically reflexive OT(A)s and students.  To follow Diverse-OT National on Instagram - https...

Victor Calise has had a diverse career path—he has gone from plumber to Paralympian to Policymaker.  He competed in sled hockey in the 1998 Paralympics in Nagano, Japan.  He worked for the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.  He was appointed the Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and then reappointed by Mayor Bill De Blasio, and re...

As occupational therapy practitioners, we understand disability within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this two-part episode, occupational therapy student Meaghan Lawrence discusses the program, Empower Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) which supports individuals who have had an injury to their spinal cord. In the traditional rehabilitation model in the United States, rehabilitation sto...

As occupational therapy practitioners, we understand disability within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this two-part episode, occupational therapy student Meaghan Lawrence discusses the program, Empower Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) which supports individuals who have had an injury to their spinal cord. In the traditional rehabilitation model in the United States, rehabilitation sto...

Dr. Ana Malfitano’s career is focused on Social Occupational Therapy, which has been developed in Brazil to repair various inequities and injustices. In Dr. Malfitano’s World Federation of Occupational Therapy 2022 Keynote address, she turns the lens of occupational therapy onto the idea of anthropophagy.  This concept was developed in The Manifesto Anthropophagic, by Oswald de Andrade, which prop...

In the United States the profession of occupational therapy was established in 1917 and in the UK it was established in 1922 but in Arab countries, like Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait, and others, occupational therapy was established less than 40 years ago. And most Arab countries saw the establishment of occupational therapy within the last 25 years. Of course, as the p...

This episode we will discuss and learn about hair equity.  Hairstyles have cultural roots.  It can be easy to dismiss and think, “Well, it’s just hair.”  When people spend time in hospitals, they often experience disruptions in their normal routines and engagement in the activities of daily living or ADLs. I talked with two professionals, Lauren Justice an OT and Kim Regis, who is the Vice Preside...

Welcome to the OT JEDI podcast. A podcast dedicated to building knowledge about social injustices and inequities in the worlds of public health & health care through the lens of occupational therapy.