Passing the Baton of SIS Leadership of the FOTA Practice Standing Committee

Ricardo C. Carrásco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Introduction & PSC Structure 

The Practice Standing Committee (PSC) is one of FOTA’s Standing Committees. The PSC coordinator along with other voting standing committee coordinators work in conjunction with FOTA officers to implement goals stated in their job responsibilities and the current the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. The PSC comprises the PSC Coordinator and 16 special interest sections (SIS), namely (in alpha order): Developmental Disabilities, Education, Fieldwork Education and Doctoral Capstone, Education, Gerontology, Health Promotion and Wellness, Mental Health, Occupational Science, Physical Dysfunction, Research, School Systems and Early Intervention, Sensory Integration, Technology, Administration and Management, Women’s Health, and Work Programs. Each SIS has its own Chair or co-Chairs with specific roles and responsibilities and reports to the PSC Coordinator. Like other standing committee coordinators, the PSC represents SIS Chairs during board meetings, receiving periodic reports from SIS Chairs and collaborates with the Association Coordinator and the FOCUS Quarterly Editor in ensuring a smooth flow of article submissions, conference proposal reviews, prompt responses to queries from SIS constituency, and any other tasks that may be necessary.  FOTA is fortunate to have a cadre of dedicated and knowledgeable SIS Chairs, and I would like to say kudos to all for a job well done.  Through this article, I also wish to thank and say goodbye to Chairs who are passing the baton of leadership, and to those who are entering the revolving door of SIS leadership.

THANK YOU, OUTGOING SIS CHAIRS

Regina Bonynge, OTR/L, CWCE, CEAS & Katie Hart, MOT, OTR/L

Co-Chairs, Work-Related Occupations SIS

Katie Hart, MOT, OTR/L joined Regina Bonynge, OTR/L CWEC, CEAS to co-Chair the Work-Related OccupationsSIS. Currently she works at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an outpatient Neurologic Rehabilitation occupational therapist.  Prior to that she has worked in various capacities in Illinois, Virginia, and Atlanta Georgia. Her clinical experience includes but is not limited to neurological and medically complex adult populations and driving evaluations. She has collaborated in the development of LSVT Big program and skilled evaluation and intervention to people with Parkinson’s Disease, created best practice documentation and worked for a newly established Inova Movement Disorders Clinic. She has served the community through the Neuro Challenge Foundation Parkinson’s Expo, as a volunteer, Ashton Meadows Community HOA Board Member as Vice President, and the Atlanta Heart Walk as coordinator for McKesson (sponsor of the Heart Walk). Thank you, Katie for your service to the FOTA SIS group, and the occupational therapy profession. 

Regina Bonynge, OTR/L, CWCE, CEAS served as co-Chair of the Work-Related Occupations SIS Katie Hart, MOT, OTR/L.  Together, they reinvigorated the SIS, starting with a new name changing it from Work Programs to Work-Related Occupations SIS to include relevant and contemporary topics such as unpaid volunteerism, varying cultural ideas of work, community transitions for those who were incarcerated or who experienced human trafficking, refugees and immigrant displacement and community reintegration, homelessness and work, gender differences related to work, etc.  They used each other’s strengths to produce informative, inspiring if not evidence-based materials to the FOTA membership. Regina is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has been practicing in the Sarasota area since 1988. She is a Certified Work Capacity Evaluator and a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, specializing in Functional Capacity Evaluations, Ergonomics, Industrial Rehabilitation, and upper extremity orthopedics. She was a Sarasota Memorial Health Care System employee from 1988 – 2003. From 2003 – 2016, she was self – employed, performing consultation at local industries, which included Sun Hydraulics and Tervis Tumbler, as well as contract work for several local private practices. Regina enjoys cycling, walking, and spending time with her family. She returned to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System to not only develop the Functional Capacity and Ergonomics Program but to assist with the growth of the outpatient arena.

Evelyn Terrell, OTD, MS/HAS, OT/L & Jose Rafols, OTD, MHSA, OTR/L, BCT, CEAS

Technology SIS

Previously, Dr. Evelyn Terrell was co-Chair of the Early Intervention/School Systems SIS. With her experience in telehealth and modern health service and communications technology, it made sense that she requested to join Dr. Jose Rafols as co-Chair of the Technology Special Interest Section. Dr. Terrel is an accomplished leader with 15+ years of progressive hospital administration and operations experience in multiple service lines and programs. She has demonstrated success in business development, strategic partnerships, and network development, driving growth, profitability, improving patient outcomes and customer experience. Dr. Terrel completed her post professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Administration and Practice Management from Rocky Mountain University, her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Barry University, and her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida international University. Currently, she works at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida as Interim Director of Telehealth. Thank you, Dr. Terrell, for your service to the profession.

Jose Rafols, OTD, MHSA, OTR/L, BCT, CEAS stepped up to serve as the Technology SIS Chair, to take the place of Rick Davenport, PhD, OTR/L. He came in ready for action with a session scheduled for FOTA Connect titled Telehealth Triple Threat: Purposeful Integration of Telehealth Platforms within the OT Practice Landscape.  He comes from a practice background in physical disabilities, upper extremities, rehabilitation, home health, and administration.  He brings with him teaching and academic administration experience, and was on active duty with the US Army Medical Specialist Corps.  His post professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree cam from Creighton University, Master’s in Health Service Administration from Barry University, and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University.  He is pursuing his Doctor of Education degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Science with a specialty track in healthcare leadership, with a proposed graduation date of September 2022.  He has many presentations and some publications on record and has consistently presented during FOTA conferences. Thank you, Dr. Rafols for your service.

WELCOME, INCOMING SIS CHAIRS

Taisha Trotman, COTA/L, PsyM

Fieldwork & Capstone Experience SIS

Taisha Trotman has extensive teaching experience, currently at St. Catherine University serving as course manager and academic advisor. She has developed, designed and managed instructors in the delivery of OTA courses at the university. She has served in similar capacities at Keiser University and Polk State College. She has served as mentor for the Big Sister Little Sister program and as a yoga instructor for the Yoga Alliance. She is active in state and national professional organizations, as well as the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). She is a CarFit instructor and has served in the Family Readiness Group of the US Army. Taisha completed an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy, a Bachelor of Technical and Professional Studies in Biotechnology, A Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Her academic experience, including a focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will benefit the goals of the Fieldwork and Capstone Experience SIS.

Lyvette Carrasquillo, OTD, MEd, OTR/L, CVRT & Vanessa Grijalba Illescas, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Work-Related Occupations SIS

FOTA new co-Chairs of the Work-Related Occupations SIS are Vanessa Grijalba Illescas, OTD, OTR/L and Lyvette Carrasquillo, OTD, MEd, OTR/L. Dr. Grijalba is an instructor in the Master/Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at the University of St. Augustine, Miami Campus, teaching a variety of courses and serving as the COTAD faculty representative, while serving as a faculty mentor to doctoral students in Boston University. She continues her clinical practice as a per diem OT with Cencentra Outpatient Therapy in Doral, FL. Dr. Grijalba completed her Bachelor of Health Services Administration, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy. She is a certified hand therapist and has several publications and presentations and serves as course coordinator and reviewer for Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. Dr. Lyvette Carrasquillo works at the University of Miami Hospital – UHealth in Miami, FL, serving patients with neurological conditions, cancer, Leukemia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury,. COVID-19, as well as individuals with comorbid visual impairments resulting from chemo/radiation or polytrauma within an acute care setting.  Dr.Carrasquillo completed an Associate of Arts in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Health Science, Doctor of Occupational Therapy. Master of Education in Vision Rehabilitation and currently is completing a Master of Healthcare Administration. Dr. Carrasquillo has served as a volunteer member of the AOTA Developmental Disabilities SIS and as Chair of the FOTA Leadership Committee. Welcome Drs. Carrasquillo and Grijalba to the FOTA PSC SIS leadership.

Sabina Khan, PhD, OTD, MS, OTR/L & Pamela Hess, OTD, OTR/L

Women’s Health SIS

Welcome to Sabina Khan, PhD, OTD, MS, OTR/L and Pamela Hess, OTD, OTR/L who have come forward to serve as co-Chairpersons for the brand-new Women’s Health SIS. Dr. Khan joins us from the University of St. Augustine Miami campus where she holds the rank of Assistant Professor. She holds a BS in Psychology, a MS of Occupational Therapy, a post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, of PhD in Neuro-Nutrition, and a post-doctoral foundation of clinical research certificate. She has several awards on her scholarship and leadership and has several juried and invited publications and presentations on several topics. She has authored books, one of which is on women’s health.  Dr. Hess has a post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy and a BS in Health Care Administration. Currently she is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where among other courses, she teaches Women’s Health as an elective. She has served as fieldwork coordinator and faculty at other universities. Dr. Hess has several scholarship accomplishments under her belt and has a track record of teaching and supervising student research. The Practice Standing Committee welcomes Drs. Khan and Hess to the FOTA leadership.

Kristian Llaca, EdD, OTD, OTR/L & Jacqueline Achon, OTD, OTR/L

Technology SIS

Kristian Llaca, EdD, OTD, OTR/L stepped in as Technology SIS co-chair with Jacqueline Achon, OTD, OTR/L in good time to fill the vacant position to allow for a seamless transition of the SIS leadership.  They came in ready to submit an article and follow through with feedback from the FOTA constituency. Dr. Llaca completed his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, a post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and a Doctor of Education. He is certified in various areas of adult practice and is currently serves as a core faculty member at the University of St. Augustine in Miami, FL. He has taught in other universities and has practiced in various settings prior to going to academia and disseminating various scholarship materials.Dr. Achon is an advocate for client rights, striving to understand their needs and concerns. She carries these attributes when serves as core faculty at the University of St. Augustine in Miami. Here clinical background is in stroke and brain injury. She has a BA in Psychology, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and a post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy. Welcome to the Practice Standing Committee, Drs. Achon and Llaca.