OT Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Emerging Practice
In this special roundtable episode, I am joined by fellow members of the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee for an honest and inspiring conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, emerging practice, and the future of occupational therapy. Together, we explore how occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are creating impact in spaces far beyond traditional healthcare settings while remaining deeply rooted in the core values of our profession. From home organization and functional medicine to marketing, ergonomics, community-based practice, leadership, and advocacy, this episode highlights the many ways OT practitioners are applying their unique lens to solve problems, create opportunities, and improve lives. Whether you're a student, clinician, educator, entrepreneur, or someone simply curious about where OT can go next, this conversation offers encouragement, practical advice, and a reminder that there is no single path to being an occupational therapy practitioner.
In This Episode:
• The vision behind the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee
• Why innovation and entrepreneurship matter now more than ever
• How OT practitioners are creating careers beyond traditional settings
• The unique strengths OTs and OTAs bring into emerging practice areas
• Overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and professional isolation
• Finding community, mentorship, and support in non-traditional roles
• Advice for students, new graduates, and practitioners considering a career pivot
Featured Guests:
Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA -President, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arameh-anvarizadeh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drarameh/?hl=en
Should I Be an AOTA Member? Arameh Anvarizadeh’s 2-Minute Pitch -OT Potential with Sarah Lyon - Breakdown of 4 C’s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h7FyFBnebc&t=26s
Sarah Larsen, OTR/L - Home Organization Occupational Therapist
Website: https://balancedhomeorganization.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedhomeorganization_pdx/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalancedHomeOrganization/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-larsen-292390181/
Anne-Marie Dundas, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Functional Medicine & Wellness Practitioner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-marie-dundas-2963378b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whole_life_healthy_/
Krista Frahm, OTR/L – Occupationa Therapist, Marketing Strategist & Copywriter for Healthcare Professionals
Website: https://www.kristafrahm.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristafrahmagency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristafrahmagency/
Aja Black, COTA/L, CAE - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant & Ergonomics Professional
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aja-black-b676b4125/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajaeblack/?hl=en
Patricia Motus, OTR/L, CTIS, RYT - Community-Based Occupational Therapist, Educator, Mentor, Speaker, and Host of The Uncommon OT Series
Website: https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-motus/
Instagram: @transitionsOT
Additional Ad Hoc Committee Members:
Tomeico Faison, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA - Entrepreneur
Website: https://tomeicofaison.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeicofaison/
Gretchen Kingma, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM - Realtor
Website: https://empoweredhomes.com/author/gretchen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-kingma-21930387/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenkingma_/?hl=en
AOTA Education Ad Hoc Committee
Ryan Lavalley, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlavalley/
Innovative Practice OT Interest & Connection Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4L_DkBlWZmrwn3o-OglNyzsTqjClaYKSJvx4X0GOwUapIbA/viewform
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you, or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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