Alaska Occupational Therapy Association

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Alaska Occupational Therapy Association

The Alaska Occupational Therapy Association (AKOTA) is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of both occupational therapy practitioners and students. AKOTA's mission is to serve its members in achieving excellence in healthcare by promoting quality occupational therapy services, enhancing professional identity, providing quality continuing education, and fostering, facilitating, and encouraging networking opportunities within the beautiful State of Alaska. The Alaska Occupational Therapy Association is a state affiliate of the national professional association, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Alaska is the largest state in the country with over 665,384 square miles. AKOTA provides a centralized voice and means to connect for occupational therapy practitioners and students across the state. AKOTA consists of volunteer board and committee members who collaborate with local and national leaders on healthcare and policy changes that directly affect occupational therapy services. Your membership also supports AKOTA's ability to provide local conferences and communication platforms. The occupational therapy services you provide make a difference in the lives of Alaskans. Your AKOTA membership makes a difference by helping us advocate and advance the quality of those services.

12/01/2026

🧠 Upcoming Virtual Education Event | Hosted by AKOTA 🧠

🗓️ January 19th, 2026

🕔 5:30 PM AKST
The Alaska Occupational Therapy Association (AKOTA) is excited to host a 45- minute virtual educational presentation featuring Ryan Gebauer, National Community Relations Advocate for Quest Healthcare.

Ryan brings a powerful and unique perspective as a C3/C4 complete tetraplegic who has lived with spinal cord injury for over 23 years. He combines lived experience with professional expertise to educate clinicians and support individuals with SCI across the country.

💡 About the Presenter
Ryan works with top CARF-accredited, VA, and Model SCI facilities, providing education on clinically relevant topics including:
• Autonomic Dysreflexia
• Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction
• Bowel Management in the Rehab Setting
He is a volunteer with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a founding member of the largest SCI support group in South Florida, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards. Ryan is deeply committed to advocacy, mentorship, and improving quality of life for individuals with SCI.

🎓 About Quest Healthcare
Ryan works alongside Quest’s education team, led by Margaret, Director of Education and Sales. Margaret brings over 25 years of experience in healthcare education and leadership, including national training and specialty sales roles. Together, they deliver engaging, practical education for rehab professionals.

✨ This session offers clinicians the opportunity to learn from both clinical expertise and lived experience to enhance care for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

📅 Join us at 5:30 PM AKST
📍 Virtual | Hosted by AKOTA

https://teams.live.com/meet/9310975197522?p=jhK2g76eMyWnFccHfA

12/01/2026

🌟 Call for Nominations: AKOTA Board Members 🌟

AKOTA is currently accepting nominations for new Board members, and we need you.

If you’re curious but apprehensive, let me encourage you to put yourself forward. AKOTA is a volunteer organization, and we give when we can — stepping back when life gets busy and stepping forward when we’re able. We all do what we can with what we have.

I’ve had the honor of serving AKOTA as a Director, Secretary, and now President, and it has been one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my career. We’ve hosted conferences, advocated for our profession at the legislative level, and strengthened OT across Alaska — all as volunteers.

General Board commitment:
• 4 quarterly meetings
• Attending to assigned tasks
• Staying connected with members

Committees form around specific needs (legislative advocacy, conference planning, CEUs, etc.), and members participate as they’re able. This organization is truly what we make it — and right now, we need you.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAANAAX6vvYxURFNZMFZVOTRaWTJNQVNETVFKWkxVOTE4OS4u

Bring your perspective, experience, energy, and ideas. 💙
👉 Nominate yourself or a colleague today

05/01/2026

🌌 Now Accepting Nominations: Aurora Borealis Award 🌌

The Alaska Occupational Therapy Association is proud to invite nominations for the Aurora Borealis Award, a prestigious honor recognizing individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on occupational therapy in Alaska.

Inspired by the brilliance of the northern lights, this award celebrates leadership, innovation, service, and dedication that strengthen our profession and improve access to care for Alaskans across the state.

✨ Who should be nominated?
OTs, OTAs, educators, advocates, or leaders whose work has transformed occupational therapy practice, education, policy, or access to care in Alaska.

🏆 About the Award
This recognition honors excellence and is intended to inspire future leaders in our profession. The inaugural recipient was Dr. Alfred G. Bracciano, recognized for his visionary contributions to OT education and workforce development across Alaska.

📋 How to Nominate
Submit a nomination using our online form (link in bio / link below). Nominations are open now!

Help us shine a light on those who are truly making a difference. Let’s celebrate the people who are lighting the way for occupational therapy in Alaska ✨

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAANAAX6vvYxUNzVYODFURlNJODNWVDJHWFAyUUhFR1FSVC4u

04/01/2026

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered our AKOTA Spring Conference ticket drawing! We loved seeing interest from OT practitioners across Alaska 💙

🎊 Congratulations to our randomly selected winner: Rachelle Cummins! 🎊

Didn’t win this time? We still hope to see you at the AKOTA Spring Conference: Problem Solving to Improve Function, featuring Katy Kerris, happening March 21–22 at UAA. The conference offers up to 14 CEUs with hands-on, clinically relevant learning focused on upper extremity function and neuroplasticity.

✨ Conference Updates:
✔️ 10% off Early Bird pricing is available now
✔️ AKOTA members receive an additional member discount
✔️ Free local lodging may be available — we’re connecting out-of-area attendees with local members willing to host (interest form included!)
✔️ Prefer your own space? A hotel room block is also available

Thank you for being part of our OT community and for the amazing work you do across our state. We hope to see you in March! 🏔️💪

10/12/2025

🌟 Big things coming this spring! 🌟

Our 2026 AKOTA Spring Conference featuring Katy Kerris is coming up — and we’re thrilled to bring practitioners together for a dynamic day of learning and problem-solving.
PLUS… to support access for OT providers across Alaska, don’t forget to enter our FREE conference ticket giveaway for practitioners 50+ miles from Anchorage! ($525 value)
Whether you’re planning to register or hoping to win a spot, we’d love to see you there.

🔗 Register for the Conference:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/akota-spring-conference-problem-solving-to-improve-function-ft-katy-kerris-tickets-1976678165604?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=f0787aaece397e516535585c22065988c72f9814cf59a8cd3ebb24fdd4e39b9dfd759f95f1ede0a4b8e0cfbd6dc91f51102ff4963b7f60211e30c40780c7e2283c22c8582ed2578a56b8fe3ec6

🔗 Enter the Giveaway:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vqRACBl5REev6xbPaL5DppYgnjyP1VJMkxWGDmun3G9UMVRNSVdOREozUFJITkw3VUtNRzA3VElHNC4u

Let’s make this a statewide celebration of OT! 🙌

03/12/2025

🎉 ANNOUNCING: AKOTA Spring Conference Ticket Giveaway! 🎉

To support increased access for OT practitioners across Alaska, we’re giving away one FREE ticket to the Spring Conference — a $525 value!

⭐ Who’s eligible?
Anyone who lives 50+ miles from Anchorage

⭐ Who can enter?
All OT practitioners — membership not required!

⭐ When is the drawing?
We’ll draw the winner in the new year!

Let’s expand access in a fun and festive way — and help our rural and remote practitioners join us this spring!
🔗 Enter the Giveaway:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vqRACBl5REev6xbPaL5DppYgnjyP1VJMkxWGDmun3G9UMVRNSVdOREozUFJITkw3VUtNRzA3VElHNC4u

Spread the word!

03/12/2025

📣 Save the Date!

AKOTA is excited to announce our 2026 Spring Conference: Problem Solving to Improve Function featuring Katy Kerris!

📅 March 21st-22nd
📍 University of Alaska Anchorage

Join us for a full day of hands-on learning, clinical problem-solving, and connection with OT practitioners from across the state. Let’s grow, collaborate, and sharpen our skills together!

🔗 Conference Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/akota-spring-conference-problem-solving-to-improve-function-ft-katy-kerris-tickets-1976678165604?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=f0787aaece397e516535585c22065988c72f9814cf59a8cd3ebb24fdd4e39b9dfd759f95f1ede0a4b8e0cfbd6dc91f51102ff4963b7f60211e30c40780c7e2283c22c8582ed2578a56b8fe3ec6

We can’t wait to learn with you!

21/11/2025

OT School Loan Limits and Caps | AOTA https://share.google/hHGHLSVGWLVf25Bhw

Go to the AOTA legislative action center to take action!
https://www.votervoice.net/AOTA/Home

10/11/2025

📣 Calling all Occupational Therapy Practitioners!

We’ve recently been contacted by several Occupational Therapy students conducting important research — and they’re looking for your input! 💬

At AKOTA, we’re committed to advancing the field of occupational therapy. Your participation in these studies helps support the growth, development, and continued excellence of our profession. Thank you for taking the time to contribute! 🙏

🧠 Current Research Opportunities:

1️⃣ University of Vermont – Functional Vision in Practice
The University of Vermont Occupational Therapy Program is conducting a study to understand OT practitioners’ confidence in performing functional vision assessments and the type and amount of training received through coursework or continuing education.
📍 Participants: Licensed Occupational Therapists
💻 Take the survey here ➡️ https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_4VqfHd03BDnyvfE

2️⃣ Washington University in St. Louis – School-Based OT & Health Conditions
Researcher Talia Ben-Yosef is exploring how school-based OT practitioners use participation measures and support students with chronic health conditions (e.g., asthma, genetic conditions).
🕒 About 15 minutes to complete
🎁 Participants entered to win one of four $25 Visa gift cards
💻 Take the survey here ➡️ https://redcap.wustl.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=4DJLFWMMWNLWERDE
📧 Questions? Contact: ben-yosef@wustl.edu

Your voice matters — thank you for helping move occupational therapy forward! 💪💙

07/11/2025

Today is the LAST DAY to submit WRITTEN COMMENTS about Alaska Regulatory Reforms. Learn more at akota.org events on our home page. The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing is particularly interested in specific ideas for regulatory change that may:

*clarify existing regulatory obligations;
*reduce costs for the public, industry, or government;
*improve or streamline procedures, application requirements, and review processes, for example reducing the time required to apply for a license, permit, or benefit;
*reduce administrative burdens;
*streamline permitting procedures;
*improving communication procedures;
*provide greater transparency with respect to standards, decision-making, and rationales for application processing; or
*clarify interagency roles.

28/10/2025

Dear Alaskan OTPs,

to further our scope of practice modernization initiatives, we require an OTP based in downtown Anchorage/Inlet View/the neighborhood around West High to assist with a session involving local legislators.

Please reach out to vpres@akota.org.

27/10/2025

🤩🥳Today is WORLD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DAY! OTPs across the world are making a difference. Today we volunteer in our local communities and promote the profession to inspire global awareness. Learn more at wfot.org

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