HOT TOPIC: Social Prescribing: The OT Role You Were Made For
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
4:10 PM – 4:40 PM
Course Description
Social prescribing (SP) is an approach to health and well-being that involves “prescribing” non-medical, community-based programs and resources. The SP approach seeks to connect people to activities, groups, and services in their communities that will meet social and emotional needs impacting their overall health and well-being. While SP has only recently gained traction in the broader US healthcare field, occupational therapy’s deep roots in person-centered, holistic care and meaningful occupation align closely with its core values and principles. Despite this natural fit, occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) involvement in SP remains inconsistent and underrecognized.
SP is an approach that is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing loneliness, isolation, mental health challenges, chronic conditions, or complex social needs; populations that OTPs frequently serve. This positions OTPs as natural link workers within SP models, bridging the gap between medical care and community-based support. OTPs have a meaningful opportunity to expand their role in SP through educating healthcare professionals on its benefits, integrating SP literature into OT curricula, developing fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences centered on SP, and actively engaging with SP networks/conferences. OTPs are well-positioned to make significant contributions that enhance SP initiatives and create lasting positive impact on individuals and communities. The time to get involved is now.
Speakers
Dr. Liz Kocher is an accomplished occupational therapist with over 14 years of clinical and academic experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University (2011) and a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Boston University (2022). She currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Department at Cleveland State University, bringing extensive expertise across a range of practice settings.
Grounded in pediatric care, Dr. Kocher has specialized in both outpatient and school-based occupational therapy, working with students from preschool through secondary education. Her clinical background also spans skilled nursing facilities, acute care, and neurorehabilitation.
She maintains active leadership roles within the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), having served for three years as Research Coordinator for the Sensory Integration and Processing Special Interest Section. She currently serves as a committee member of the AOTA Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section. Her professional engagement further includes membership in the AOTA Transitions Community of Practice, service as an AOTPAC Ambassador, and involvement with the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association.
Dr. Kocher is a founding member of the Ohio Social Prescribing Collaborative, and the Academic Partnership Lead and a member of the Social Prescribing USA Health Champions group. She mentors OTD capstone students in exploring nature-based social prescribing for older adults, green space referral pathways, and the development of local social prescribing networks.
Her research and clinical interests include: social prescribing for health and wellness, nature accessibility for individuals with disabilities, the role of service learning in OT education, sustainable community-based interventions for marginalized populations, employment transition programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and adaptive sports and physical activity engagement.
Content Level
Introductory: This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area. This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area.
Practice Areas
Community-based Practice; Emerging Practice Area; Health and Wellness