President’s Message

Hello OOTA Community,

As we pass the midpoint of the year, I find myself reflecting on how much has happened since January – and how much of that progress is the direct result of people stepping forward to try something new.

In April, OOTA was recognized at the AOTA Conference in Philadelphia with the Program Development Award from the Affiliated State Association Presidents (ASAP). This award recognized several of our initiatives from over the past year: Winterfest, our first mini virtual conference; Student Conclave, which brought together nearly sixty students for two evenings of learning and networking; and the Feeding Symposium, which drew strong attendance for a first-time event. These were not small undertakings, and they were not without uncertainty. But we pursued them because we believed they would add value for our members – and the response from participants shows that they did.

OOTA is at a pivotal moment. We are expanding our reach, deepening our offerings, and finding new ways to serve occupational therapy practitioners across Ohio. That trajectory is the result of our volunteer leadership. I want to take a moment to thank our board members, committee chairs, district leaders, and all the volunteers who contribute their time, energy, and vision to this organization. Their work – often unseen, and always demanding – is what moves OOTA forward. From planning events to shaping strategy to handling the countless details that keep an association running, they make this work possible. I am deeply grateful for each of them.

Looking ahead, I want to draw your attention to our Annual Conference, October 16-17 in Columbus. After outgrowing last year’s venue with record attendance (thank you to all who participated!), this year we will be at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. This venue is a considerable “upgrade” in terms of amenities, location, and quality of food and options. It was an intentional decision to move to this venue recognizing it would be more expensive for OOTA. It is our belief that the value that is associated with this upgraded venue will far outweigh the increase in registration cost.

Ultimately, our goal is to accommodate both your individual needs as well as the collective requirements born of OOTA’s growth. This year, OOTA is working to make it our most engaging yet. I encourage you to visit our website for registration details, schedule information, and updates as they become available. I hope to see many of you there.

Finally, I want to encourage everyone reading this newsletter not to miss the nominations period for OOTA Awards. This year with 17 different awards represented, you have an incredible opportunity to publicly recognize an OT practitioner, student, supporter, or organization that has had a meaningful impact on you and/or the occupational therapy community in Ohio. I strongly encourage you to read about each of the awards and make a nomination here! Thank you for helping us recognize excellence in Ohio. 

As we continue through the second half of 2026, I remain optimistic about what we can accomplish together.

With gratitude,

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

President, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association