North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association

04/30/2026

04/30/2026

📢 Advocacy in Action for Occupational Therapy in North Carolina!

We’re excited to share highlights from a recent advocacy day in Raleigh, made possible by our lobbyist, Ashley Perkinson, and ECU professor Nikki Hancock. As part of the OTD program’s Advocacy & Leadership course at East Carolina University, a group of passionate OT students visited legislators and policymakers to advocate for the future of our profession and workforce in NC.

These students shared what inspired them to pursue occupational therapy and spoke on the importance of access to OT services across our state. Their voices matter—and they made an impact!

👏 Shoutout to these incredible students for representing the future of OT:
Kelsey Arnold, Bridget Davenport, Emma Fazio, Courtney Frycz, Emily Patten, and Hailey Rosdhal

We’re also proud that our lobbyist Ashley Perkinson and NCOTA Legal & Political Co-Chair Dawn Soloman have contributed as guest speakers in this course—helping to inspire and prepare the next generation of advocates.

Both Ashley and Dawn have been incredibly impressed by the passion and dedication these students bring to advocacy efforts. Their engagement is vital to the continued growth and strength of occupational therapy in North Carolina.

💙 This is what advocacy in action looks like!

04/20/2026

📢 NCOTA Members — It’s Time to Vote!

Voting is now open for the 2026 NCOTA Board of Directors Elections 🗳️

👉 Who can vote?
All active NCOTA members

⸻

🔹 Elected Positions

* President Elect (1)
* Secretary (1)
* OTA Representative (1)
* Membership Services Co-Chair (2)
* Legal & Political Co-Chair (1)
* Continuing Education Co-Chair (1)

⸻

🔹 Appointed Positions

* NCBOT Liaison (1)
* Communications & Outreach Co-Chair (1)
* SIS Home Health Co-Chair (2)
* SIS Leadership & Administration Co-Chair (1)
* OT Student Board Member (1)
* OTA Student Board Member (1)

⸻

📄 Be sure to review each candidate’s statement of interest in the attached document.

⚠️ Open Positions (No Current Nominees):
President Elect, Legal & Political Co-Chair, NCBOT Liaison, SIS Home Health Co-Chair, and OTA Student Board Member

➡️ Write-ins and self-nominations are welcome!
(If nominating someone else, please include their contact info.)

⸻

🗓️ Election Deadline: May 20, 2026
🚀 Term Begins: July 1, 2026

📧 Questions? Contact: ncotaoffice1957@gmail.com

Thank you for being a member of NCOTA and taking the time to vote in our annual elections for NCOTA leadership positions! The elected positions are President Elect (1), Secretary (1), OTA Representative (1), Membership Services Co-Chair (2), Legal and Political Co-Chair (1), and Continuing Education...

04/10/2026

Last call for Board Member nominations!!

📢 Friendly Reminder – We Need YOU!

The North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association is still looking for passionate, motivated individuals to step into leadership roles and help shape the future of occupational therapy in North Carolina 💙

Serving on the board is a meaningful way to:
✨ Make an impact on healthcare, policy, and reimbursement
✨ Advocate for our profession and the clients we serve
✨ Grow professionally while collaborating with other dedicated OT leaders

There are several elected and appointed positions available—whether you’re an experienced clinician or just ready to get more involved, there is a place for you!

📌 Elected positions open for nomination:
• President-Elect (1)
• Secretary (1)
• OTA Representative (1)
• Membership Services Co-Chair (2)
• Legal & Political Co-Chair (1)

📌 Appointed positions open for nomination:
• NCBOT Liaison (1)
• Communications Co-Chair (1)
• SIS Administration & Leadership Co-Chair (1)
• SIS Home Health Co-Chair (2)
• OT Student Board Member (1)
• OTA Student Board Member (1)

🗓 Deadline to submit nominations: April 15, 2026
📧 Send to: office@ncota.org

✔️ Self-nominations are welcome!

No prior board experience is needed—just a willingness to contribute, lead, and support the OT community.

If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, this is your sign to take that next step 🙌

04/01/2026

✨ Happy OT Month! ✨

To all the incredible occupational therapy practitioners across North Carolina — this month is for YOU!

Every day, you empower individuals to live more independently, engage in meaningful activities, and improve their quality of life. Whether you're helping someone regain skills after injury, supporting mental health, or promoting participation in everyday occupations, your impact is truly life-changing.

💙 You are advocates.
💙 You are problem-solvers.
💙 You are difference-makers.

Thank you for the compassion, creativity, and dedication you bring to your work each and every day. North Carolina is stronger because of YOU!

04/01/2026

🏆 NCOTA Awards 🏆

Awards will be presented at this year’s conference! 🎉

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their impact in occupational therapy? This is your chance to celebrate them!

📅 Nominations open April 15
Stay tuned for more details on how to submit your nomination.

Let’s recognize the incredible work happening across our profession! 💙

Each year, the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) recognizes and honors colleagues who have made significant contributions to the profession of occupational therapy. Be a part of the process by nominating a colleague, mentor, or educator for one of NCOTA’s prestigious awards.

04/01/2026

✨ Save the Date: 2026 NCOTA Fall Conference! ✨

Dear NCOTA Members,

We’re excited to announce the 2026 NCOTA Fall Conference!

📅 Dates: Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19, 2026

📍 Location: East Carolina University | Greenville, NC

💡 Theme: In the Moments That Matter: Upholding Humanity in Practice

What does it mean to truly uphold humanity in our practice? It means showing up with intention—remaining attentive, ethical, and responsive in every interaction. As occupational therapy practitioners, we have a responsibility to protect dignity and support meaningful participation, especially for individuals and communities facing barriers to access, opportunity, or inclusion.

Across all settings and roles, we are called to use our professional judgment, advocacy, and care to honor lived experiences and promote justice through occupation.

Join us as we explore how everyday clinical and professional decisions can reduce inequities and uphold human dignity through ethical reasoning, relationship-centered practice, and collective professional action.

We can’t wait to see you there! 💙

03/31/2026

📢 Friendly Reminder – We Need YOU!

The North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association is still looking for passionate, motivated individuals to step into leadership roles and help shape the future of occupational therapy in North Carolina 💙

Serving on the board is a meaningful way to:
✨ Make an impact on healthcare, policy, and reimbursement
✨ Advocate for our profession and the clients we serve
✨ Grow professionally while collaborating with other dedicated OT leaders

There are several elected and appointed positions available—whether you’re an experienced clinician or just ready to get more involved, there is a place for you!

📌 Elected positions open for nomination:
• President-Elect (1)
• Secretary (1)
• OTA Representative (1)
• Membership Services Co-Chair (2)
• Legal & Political Co-Chair (1)

📌 Appointed positions open for nomination:
• NCBOT Liaison (1)
• Communications Co-Chair (1)
• SIS Administration & Leadership Co-Chair (1)
• SIS Home Health Co-Chair (2)
• OT Student Board Member (1)
• OTA Student Board Member (1)

🗓 Deadline to submit nominations: April 15, 2026
📧 Send to: office@ncota.org

✔️ Self-nominations are welcome!

No prior board experience is needed—just a willingness to contribute, lead, and support the OT community.

If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, this is your sign to take that next step 🙌

03/15/2026

📢 We Need YOU!

North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) is searching for dedicated and enthusiastic leaders to serve on our Board of Directors.

NCOTA strives to impact healthcare, legislative, and reimbursement communities as advocates for both the consumer and the profession, while remaining responsive to our members by promoting professional education, communication, and monitoring trends that affect the practice of occupational therapy.

Board members help oversee the direction and management of the association by:
• Taking responsibility for projects
• Recruiting members
• Attending face-to-face and virtual board meetings (approximately 6 per year)
• Promoting and assisting with the annual conference
• Submitting information and updates for the website
• Monitoring the needs of membership

📌 Elected positions open for nomination:
• President-Elect (1)
• Secretary (1)
• OTA Representative (1)
• Membership Services Co-Chair (2)
• Legal & Political Co-Chair (1)

📌 Appointed positions open for nomination:
• NCBOT Liaison (1)
• Communications Co-Chair (1)
• SIS Administration & Leadership Co-Chair (1)
• SIS Home Health Co-Chair (2)
• OT Student Board Member (1)
• OTA Student Board Member (1)

🗓 Nomination deadline: April 15, 2026
📧 Submit nominations to: office@ncota.org

Self-nominations are welcome. Please include a brief statement of interest and your resume/CV.

Nominees (except student members) must be an OT/L or OTA/L licensed for at least one year and a current NCOTA member. No prior board experience is required—we are seeking passionate individuals who are eager to make change for OT practice in North Carolina.

Those selected will be notified by the end of May 2026. Terms begin July 1 and last for two years, with transition support provided throughout June.

Questions about open positions are welcome, and interviews with current board members can be arranged for those considering nomination.

Thank you for considering service to our profession! 💙

03/15/2026

🚨 Exciting News for NCOTA Members! 🚨

You asked for a more modern website, easier access to information, and better ways to connect with OTs across North Carolina — and we listened! 👂✨

NCOTA is launching a NEW online community platform powered by Circle to create a more dynamic space for members to connect and collaborate.

With the new platform you’ll be able to:
💬 Join social-media–style discussion groups
🤝 Connect with OT colleagues across NC
📚 Access updates and resources in one place
🧠 Join topic-based communities for practice areas & interests
📱 Stay engaged anywhere with the Circle mobile app

Our goal is to create a space where we can share ideas, support one another, and strengthen OT across North Carolina.

🗓 Launch Date: April 1
📧 In April, watch your inbox for an email with instructions to activate your account and join the new community!

We’re excited to take this next step together and continue building a strong, connected OT community in NC.

💙 Thank you for being part of NCOTA!

03/03/2026

Reminder: NCOTA student scholarships close March 19th! Get your applications in!

The NC Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) is North Carolina’s leading association for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapy students. Headquartered in Raleigh and affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), NCOTA was found...