The Uncommon OT Series

In this episode, we will learn from Louise Berger, OT. Louise is a qualified Occupational Therapist, who has been specializing in sleep medicine for over a decade. She established the Insomnia Service at the Royal Surrey County Hospital Sleep Clinic (NHS) in 2012, and under her leadership, it has grown in reputation and size, now treating hundreds of patients every year. The Insomnia Service was h...

In this episode, we will learn from Amberly Wiese, MOT, R/L, CLT, CATA.  Amberly is an occupational therapist and an accessible travel planner.   She graduated in 2010 with a master’s in occupational therapy and over the years I've worked in just about every setting with clients of all ages. After over a decade of traditional care and private practice, she became a Certified Accessible T...

In this episode, we will learn from Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA & Alyson D. Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP about Occupational Therapy & Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Karen Jacobs is a distinguished occupational therapist with a career spanning over four decades. She is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, the Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in o...

In this episode, we will learn from Ivory Rose, OTD, OTR/L Dr. Ivory Rose is an occupational therapist and a poet who promotes Social Prescribing. She holds a master’s in occupational therapy from NYU and a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from Boston University. Her passion for “prescribed volunteerism” led her to the field of social prescribing. She has volunteered in various...

In this episode, we will learn from Dr. Erica Herrera, OTD, OTR/L, CHT & Dr. Alaa Abou-Arab, OTD, OTR/L.  Co-Authors of Occupational Identity. Dr. Erica Herrera is an occupational therapist who specializes in hand therapy as a certified hand therapist. She completed her undergraduate work at California State Polytechnic University of Pomona in the field of Biological Sciences. She further...

In this episode, we will learn from Danielle Barbieri, OTR/L, an Associate Clinical Product Manager at Augment Therapy. As an Occupational Therapist with a background in the NYC public school system, homecare, and pediatric sensory gyms in pediatrics, Danielle possesses a keen understanding of the unique strengths and challenges faced by her young clients, as well as the needs of a therapist pract...

In this episode, we will learn from Susie Touchinsky, OTR/L, SCDCM, CDRS, an occupational therapist who specializes in Driver Rehabilitation.  Susie is certified driver rehabilitation specialist who has achieved her Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility from the American Occupational Therapy Association and her certification as a driver rehabilitation specialist from the A...

In this episode, we will learn from S. Preethi Shanmugapriya, Dr(OT), Msc (psy).  Preethi is an occupational therapist based in Tamilnadu, India specializing in adult acute care mental health services (functioning in hybrid mode). As the Founder and Chief Therapist at Inclusive Wellbeing - Holistic Mental Health Clinic, she is dedicated to promoting comprehensive mental well-being. Drawing fr...

In this episode, we will learn from Jacki D’Aries, OTR/L, CBIS. Jacki is an occupational therapist who specializes in working with people recovering from brain injuries and strokes and their caregivers. She has her own private practice where she treats people in their homes or takes them out into their community for therapy. She created her own mighty network named, Holistic Life Skills, which is...

In this episode, we will learn from Alison Bode, MS, OTR/L & Madelyn Yoo, MS, OTR/L, two of the founding members of Occupational Therapists for Environmental Action (OTEA). OTEA is composed of a group of occupational therapy practitioners and students (OTPS) from across the US who are committed to raising awareness about the impact of climate change on human health, wellness, and participation...

In the episode, we will learn from Gina Taylor, MS, OTR/L, HPCS. Gina is a dedicated occupational therapist who specializes in Hippotherapy.  She has extensive experiences in clinical practice, education, and leadership. Holding a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philadelphia University, Gina is a licensed occupational therapist in New Jersey, bringing a rich skill set to her ro...

In this episode, we will learn from Andrea Cordis, MS, OTA (she/her/hers). Andrea has been a COTA since 2004. She has practiced in a variety of settings including skilled nursing, home health, inpatient psych, community-based mental health, and inpatient rehab. Andrea also worked as a lab instructor and fieldwork assistant in a masters of OT program. In addition to her OT education, Andrea also ho...

In this episode, we will learn from Francisco Lasta, OTR/L (he/him). Francisco is a licensed Occupational Therapist who specializes in Inclusive Design. With over a decade of working with people with a variety of disabilities of all ages and socio-economic statuses, his expertise in human-centered design, task analysis, and accessibility gives him a uniquely empathetic and functional perspective w...

In this episode, we will learn from Carlin Reaume, OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCES. Dr. Reaume has more than 15 years of experience as both a therapist and educator. After completing both her Master’s and Doctorate at the University of Southern California, she created a career weaving together her background in Lifestyle Redesign, mental health, and movement in order to forge her own path in a va...

In this episode, In this post, we will learn from Carly Weiner, MS, OTR/L (they/them). Carly is a Registered Occupational Therapist who currently works in a healthcare technology start-up. She holds a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University. Carly started planning a non-clinical career while still in graduate school. Carly offered to work for free for an...

In this special Christmas episode, you will hear me & some of my past uncommon OT guests talk about our favorite parts about being an occupational therapy practitioner. Have a listen to see if any or all of them resonate with you. Can you guess the names of these featured Uncommon OT guests? As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest...

In this episode, we will learn from Frances Gee, MS, OTR/L (she/her/hers). Frances is a Registered Occupational Therapist who specializes in teaching mental health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. Frances has 36 years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist and her areas o...

In this episode, we will learn from Sarah Good, OT Reg. (Ont.) (she/her/hers). Sarah is a Registered Occupational Therapist and Mindfulness Teacher in Ottawa, Ontario with more than 20 years of experience working in hospitals, schools, and community settings. Since 2007, she has worked with clients in their homes and communities. Both in her personal and professional life, she uses nature and...

In this episode, we will learn from Consuela Marshall, OTR/L, CAPS. Consuela is a Caregiver Coach and Aging-In-Place Consultant, and an Occupational Therapist with 27 years of experience providing care to individuals with disabilities and disorders or who have sustained injuries that negatively affect their level of independence with self-care, mobility, and ADL (Activities of Daily Living) tasks....

In this episode, we will learn from Michael Sy, PhD, MHPEd, OTRP (He/Him/His). Michael is a Filipino occupational therapist, a health professions specialist, and an occupational scientist. A previous Associate Professor of health professions education from the University of the Philippines in Manila, his current post as a senior researcher is with the Institute of Occupational Therapy at...

In this episode, we will learn from Dr. Razan Hamed, PhD, OTR/L. Dr. Hamed is an occupational therapist who uses Virtual Reality in OT Education. Dr. Hamed is an associate professor and associate director of the Columbia University programs in occupational therapy at Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. She is also the director of the research curriculum for the entry-level MOT progr...

In this episode, we will learn from Patrice Maynard, OTD, MOT, BSHS, OTR/L. She is the founder and owner of Maynard Milestones, LLC, a mobile pediatric private practice. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree, Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Quinnipiac University...

In this episode, we will learn from Karen Keptner, Ph. D., OTR/L. She is an Associate Professor and the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Cleveland State University. She frequently works with individuals who are at risk of dropping out of post-secondary studies. In the last few years, she has developed a credit-bearing skill-building course for student...

In this special episode, we will learn from Naomi Mattanick, MS, OTR/L & Brooke Tubbs, OTD, OTR/L, two occupational therapists practicing in Surf Therapy. Naomi Mattanick, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy, surf therapy, and childhood and infant development. “Kids are amazing and dynamic individuals. Yet, they have a lot to conquer. In...

In this special episode, we will learn from Quinn Tyminski, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH & Serena Blank, MOT, OTR/L, two occupational therapists working with Individuals experiencing homelessness.   Quinn Tyminski, OTD, OTR/L, BCMH currently serves as an instructor in the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Tyminski earned her master...