2025 annual conference

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Join Us for the 2025 OOTA Annual Conference!

Strength in Unity: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

October 17 & 18

We are thrilled to invite you to be part of OOTA’s 2025 Annual Conference at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin, where we will embark on a transformative journey at the intersection of occupational therapy and resilience under the theme: Strength in Unity: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities. Join us as we explore the power of collaboration, adaptability, and innovation to shape the future of occupational therapy practice. Together, let’s turn challenges into stepping stones for success and create meaningful impact in our communities!

Registration NOW OPEN!! Conference program coming soon!

Registration is Now Open for the 2025 OOTA Annual Conference!

Early Bird Pricing Available Through SEPTEMBER 1st – Don’t Miss Out!

Member Registration vs. Non-Member Registration:

OOTA Members: Access exclusive discounted pricing by logging into your membership account and clicking the “OOTA Member Registration” tab. (Note: Member pricing is behind the paywall—you must be logged in to view it.)
Non-Members: Click the “Non-Member Registration” tab to proceed with general pricing.

What to Expect:

Inspiring keynotes and dynamic sessions (full schedule coming soon!)
Pre-conference workshops to deepen your learning
Networking opportunities with OT professionals across the field

EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1ST (9/1)!!

Keynote Spotlight

Session Title: The Power of Our Why: Advocating for Occupational Therapy in a Changing World

We are honored to welcome Sabrena McCarley, MBA-SL, OTR/L, CLIPP, RAC-CT, QCP, FAOTA as our 2025 keynote speaker. A nationally recognized OT leader and passionate health equity advocate, Sabrena brings more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical care, post-acute operations, policy, and regulatory strategy. Her leadership and advocacy efforts have shaped national conversations around access, reimbursement, and occupational therapy’s role in advancing equitable care.

In her keynote address, The Power of Our Why, Sabrena will invite attendees to reconnect with the purpose that drives their work and harness that clarity to lead change in a rapidly evolving healthcare system. Through powerful stories, real-world insights, and a renewed focus on the Occupational Therapy Profile, this session will explore how OT addresses social determinants of health, elevates health equity, and creates lasting impact across settings.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or emerging professional, you’ll leave this keynote energized, challenged, and empowered to rise together—stronger and more united—to shape the future of occupational therapy.

Sabrena McCarley, MBA-SL, OTR/L, FAOTA
Healthcare Leader • Equity Advocate • Changemaker

Elevate Your Practice: Pre-Conference Workshops

Offered only on Friday, October 17 from 10:00am – 1:00pm

Add even more value to your conference experience by joining one of our hands-on, in-depth pre-conference workshops. Whether you’re looking to deepen your trauma-informed practice or build foundational skills in pelvic health, these optional sessions offer unique, practical learning you can apply right away.

Limited spots available—reserve your seat during registration!

Option 1: 🧠 Trauma-Informed Life Skills for the OT Practitioner

Presenter: Barbara Milliken, MS, OTR/L
Content Level: Introductory–Intermediate

Explore how polyvagal theory can transform your approach to trauma-informed care. This interactive session will guide participants through case-based applications, regulation strategies rooted in autonomic theory, and practical interventions for rebuilding life skills disrupted by trauma—like nutrition, organization, sleep, and social connection.

Walk away with clinical tools to support adult clients through holistic, neuro-informed approaches that foster functional recovery and personal growth.

You will learn to:

Apply polyvagal theory to identify dysregulation and tailor regulation strategies.
Recognize how trauma impacts life skill development.
Implement trauma-informed interventions that support client well-being and independence.

Option 2: 💪 From Theory to Therapy: Pelvic Health Fundamentals & Manual Skills Lab

Presenters: Rakhi Srivastava, MOT, OTR/L & Jordan Swoboda, MS, OTR/L
Content Level: Introductory

Pelvic health matters—and OT practitioners can play a vital role in restoring function and comfort. This dynamic session blends foundational knowledge with hands-on practice. Learn pelvic floor anatomy, common disorders, conservative management strategies, and core activation techniques. Then participate in a guided manual skills lab focused on external palpation, breathing mechanics, and posture-based treatment strategies.

You will learn to:

Identify key pelvic floor disorders and their symptoms.
Demonstrate basic assessment and treatment techniques, including core engagement and external manual therapy.
Guide clients in pelvic floor muscle awareness and functional recovery.

**Note: This session includes a manual lab. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat, towel, or pillow for comfort.