President’s Message

Hello OOTA Community!

 

With the Annual Conference just around the corner, I find myself filled with immense optimism and energy for the future of our profession and our association. As you read through the third issue of OOTA’s new quarterly newsletter, I hope you share my excitement for the many OOTA opportunities to connect, learn, and develop alongside your professional peers.

 

First, though, I have to extend a profound “thank you” to OOTA’s volunteer leadership. In just over a week, we will convene in Columbus for our Annual Conference, which stands to be our most engaging conference yet. This event does not happen by magic. It is the direct result of the countless hours of dedication, creativity, and sheer hard work poured in by our incredible volunteer planning committee and countless other members who have stepped up. To each of you who has reviewed proposals, coordinated with speakers, planned events, or handled the myriad of details both large and small: thank you. Your energy is the engine of this association, and I am so grateful for your commitment to creating a valuable and inspiring experience for all our attendees. I cannot wait to see the fruits of your labor come to life and to celebrate with you all in Columbus.

 

This forward momentum doesn’t stop with the conference. In fact, it’s being fueled by a clear and collective vision for our future. This past July, your OOTA Board and volunteer leaders came together for a strategic planning meeting. It was a day of rich discussion, bold ideas, and reaffirmed commitment to ensuring OOTA remains a vital and responsive resource for every occupational therapy practitioner in Ohio.

 

From those discussions, we have clarified and energized six key strategic areas that will guide our work in the months and years ahead:

• Advocacy: Strengthening our voice on Capitol Square and beyond to protect and advance our practice.
• Education & Research: Providing cutting-edge professional development and fostering a culture of inquiry.
• Communications: Enhancing how we connect with you, share news, and tell the story of OT in Ohio.
• Inter-Organizational Collaboration: Building powerful partnerships to amplify our impact across the state.
• Leadership Development: Cultivating the next generation of OOTA and professional leaders.
• Membership: Growing and engaging our community to ensure every member feels value and connection.

 

This is our roadmap. But a map is only useful if you have a crew ready for the journey. This is your invitation to get involved. 

 

In the coming months, we will be putting out calls for members to join task forces and work groups within each of these strategic areas. Whether your passion is for political action, crafting newsletters, mentoring students, or building community, there is a place for your talents within OOTA.

 

Also, I want to specifically call out an ongoing effort within OOTA to facilitate more participation from our OTA members and audience. One of the ways we hope to support your engagement in this effort is through our newsletter, where we will be preserving a space for OTA perspectives and voice. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, or if you are interested in preparing an article, interview, or other content to share with our audience, please reach out using the email address below!

 

Our strength has always been our members. If you look at this list and feel a spark of interest – if you’re eager to learn more or even just start a conversation about where you might fit – please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact our staff team at ootastaff@gpsforgrowth.com to express your interest. Let them know which area calls to you, and they will help connect you to the right people and projects.

 

Thank you for your continued support of OOTA. The work we do together – from planning a conference to shaping a strategic plan – is what moves our profession forward. I am honored to serve as your president and I look forward to seeing many of you very soon at the conference.

 

With gratitude,

 

Christie Tuttle MS., COTA/L, ROH (she, her, hers)

President, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association