MiOTA Fall Conference 2026

Welcome to MiOTA’s Fall Conference 2026!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:45am CDT

AI and OT Practice: Is “this” Ethical?

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT

Bach (88)

Limited Capacity seats available

There are two new resources for OT practice in the state of Michigan…generative AI and the MiOTA Ethics Committee. There is no question that AI is rapidly changing the way we teach, plan, practice, and document occupational therapy services. As with any new technology, it is important that we evaluate our actions from an ethical perspective. In this session, members of the Ethics Committee will provide a framework and tools with which to evaluate engagement with AI.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will:
1. Identify the occupational therapy practitioner's non-delegable ethical responsibility for clinical decisions, documentation, and treatment plans, even when AI tools are used to support or generate those outputs.
2. Analyze scenarios involving AI-assisted documentation and clinical communication to recognize potential violations of client confidentiality, HIPAA regulations, and data privacy obligations when protected health information is entered into AI platforms.
3. Evaluate how algorithmic bias in AI tools—stemming from non-representative training data—can compromise the ethical principle of justice and lead to inequitable service delivery across diverse client populations (e.g., age, race, geography, disability status).
4. Differentiate between regulatory approval or commercial availability of an AI tool and the ethical obligation to apply professional clinical judgment, informed consent processes, and population-specific considerations before integrating that tool into practice.
5. Apply the ethical principles of veracity and transparency to determine appropriate ways to communicate with clients, caregivers, and interprofessional team members about how AI informs clinical recommendations and decision-making.
6. Articulate a framework for ethical AI integration in occupational therapy that positions AI as a clinical support tool within occupation-centered professional reasoning—neither replacing clinical judgment nor being avoided entirely—consistent with the AOTA Code of Ethics.

References:
AOTA. (2025, April). Policy E.19 Ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/aboutaota/officialdocs/policies/e19-ethical-use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-2025.pdf

Jozkowski, A. C. (2025, September 24). The Issue Is--Artificial intelligence and occupational therapy: From emerging occupation to education, practice, and policy imperative. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79, 7906347100. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.051283

Mulford, D. (2025, March 6). AI in higher education: A meta summary of recent surveys of students and faculty. Campbell Academic Technology Services. https://sites.campbell.edu/academictechnology/2025/03/06/ai-in-higher-education-a-summary-of-recent-surveys-of-students-and-faculty/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Speakers

Juliane Chreston

Assistant Dean/School of Health Professions, Program Director/OTD Program, Professor, Concordia University Ann Arbor

Juliane H. Chreston, OTD, OTRL is the founding program director of the entry-level Doctor Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Dr. Chreston earned a Bachelor of Arts and Certificate in Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University, a Master of... Read More →

Paul Webb

Vice President, MiOTA

Bio coming soon

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT
Bach (88)

2 hour session

1:00pm CDT

Thriving in the Trenches: A Guide for Occupational Therapists Navigating the School System.

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Bach (88)

Limited Capacity seats available

Whether you are a new school-based occupational therapist or transitioning from another practice setting, this interactive panel discussion is designed to help you successfully navigate the educational environment with confidence. Experienced school-based clinicians will share practical strategies, quick tips, and real-world insights to help you understand the unique responsibilities of school-based practice while supporting positive outcomes for students and fostering therapist confidence, effectiveness, and well-being.
Discussion will include strategies for transitioning into the school system, understanding the realities of educational practice, supporting students with IEPs through meaningful, occupation-centered services, preventing therapist burnout, and building a rewarding and sustainable career in school-based practice.
Together, we’ll explore questions such as:

What should I know before transitioning into school-based practice?
What are the biggest differences between school-based practice and other clinical settings?
How can I support positive outcomes for students while becoming a confident and effective school-based therapist?
What practical strategies can help me stay organized, efficient, and successful throughout the school year?
How can I protect my mental well-being and reduce the risk of therapist burnout?
How do I keep occupation at the center of educationally relevant services for students with IEPs?
What advice do experienced school-based clinicians wish they had received when they first entered the schools?

Learning Objectives:

Differentiate school-based occupational therapy from other practice settings.
Implement practical strategies that support a successful transition into school-based practice.
Integrate occupation-centered approaches that promote educational participation for students with IEPs.
Identify strategies that support therapist well-being, resilience, and long-term success in the educational setting.

Speakers

Rosielee Wicks, OTRL

Occupational Therapist, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Rosielee is an occupational therapist with more than 25 years of experience in both neurorehabilitation and school-based practice. Her clinical background includes acute care, burn rehabilitation, and serving students with neurodiverse educational needs. She is passionate about supporting... Read More →

Kimberly L. Trueheart, OTR/L

Lead OTRL, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Kimberly L. Trueheart, OTR/L is a licensed occupational therapist with more than 35 years of clinical experience spanning acute care, rehabilitation, and school-based practice. She is a member of the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (MiOTA) and serves as the Lead OT Ancillary Staff member with the Detroit... Read More →

Karen P Tibbs, MS, OTRL, FMiOTA

At The Merger

Karen Tibbs, MS, OTR/L, FMiOTA is the Founder and Owner of At The Merger LLC and a Governor-appointed member of the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy. With more than 30 years of pediatric and school-based occupational therapy experience, she has served students, families, and educational teams in a variety... Read More →

Ruth White, MA,OTRL

OTRL, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Ruth White is a seasoned Occupational Therapist with 37 years of experience, including 26 dedicated years within the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). She currently serves at the Drew Transitional Center, where she focuses on empowering older students by developing... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Bach (88)

1 hour session

2:15pm CDT

Crossing Professions, the Transdisciplinary Nature of the CTAC Trauma Screening Checklist.

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

Bach (88)

Limited Capacity seats available

The Child Trauma Assessment Center-Trauma Screening Checklist (CTAC-TSC) will be introduced and discussed. This screen has been used in several states and across an array of child-caring systems (e.g. courts, schools, child welfare, CMH). This presentation highlights the critical role of trauma screening in practice and its utility in supporting shared decision-making across social work and occupational therapy contexts. Emphasis will be placed on how early identification of trauma can reduce the risk of re-traumatization while promoting resilience and participation in daily occupations. Strategies will be shared for transdisciplinary intervention planning informed by both social work and occupational therapy perspectives. Findings will be shared from the CTAC-TSC and Sensory Profile 2 to illustrate the link between trauma exposure and sensory processing needs.

By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to:

Describe key concepts, including trauma, complex trauma, and transdisciplinary practice.
Explain the utility of the CTAC-TSC and interpret potential functional and clinical outcomes based on screening results.
Apply information from the trauma screen to inform case planning, intervention approaches, and clinical workflow.
Adapt language and conceptual thinking to incorporate and apply knowledge from other disciplines.

Atchison, B. & Suarez, M. (2017). Interprofessional Practice and Education: Multiple Lenses Bring a Sharper Focus. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 5(3), 1. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1434
Bloom, S. (2023). A biocratic paradigm: Exploring the complexity of trauma-informed leadership and creating presence and trade. Behavioral Sciences. 13(5), 355. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13050355
Cook, A., Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., DeRosa, R., Hubbard, R., Kagan, R., Liautaud, J., Mallah, K., Olafson, E., van der Kolk, B. (2005). Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35(5), 390-398. https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20050501-05
Fraser, K., MacKenzie, D., & Versnel, J. (2019). What is the Current State of Occupational Therapy Practice with Children and Adolescents with Complex Trauma? Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 35(4), 317–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2019.1652132
Henry, J., Black-Pond, C., & Richardson, M. (2016). CTAC trauma screening checklist ages 6-18. Retrieved https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u354/2017/Trauma%20Screening%20Checklist%206-18%20revised%203-2016.pdf
Henry, J., Richardson, M., Black-Pond, C., Sloane, M., Atchison, B., Hyter, Y., & Mack, A. (2012). Trauma informed assessment. In W. Steele & C. Malchiodi (Eds.) Trauma-informed practices with children and adolescents. (pp. 23-48). Routledge
Kagan, R., Pressley, J., Espinoza, R., Lanktree, C., Henry, J., Knoverek, A., Duffy, S., Labruna, V., Habib, M., Blaustein, M. E., & Spinazzola, J. (2023). Development of a differential assessment guide to improve engagement with youths & families living with chronic trauma. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 16(1), 145–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00479-w
Morkut, B. & Atchison, B. (2023). Complex Trauma. In B. Atchison & D. Dirette (Eds.) Conditions in occupational therapy: Effect on occupational performance. (pp. 268-285). Wolters Kluwer.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.a) Complex Trauma. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma
National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.b) Screening and Assessment. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/screening-and-assessment
Schore, A. (2025). The right brain and the origin of human nature. Norton Professional Books.
Sell, K., Hommes, F., Fischer, F., & Arnold, L. (2022). Multi-, Inter-, and Transdisciplinarity within the public health workforce: A scoping review to assess definitions and applications of concepts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710902
Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35(5), 390-398. https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20050501-05

Speakers

Bryan Warner, LMSW

FASTER Program Clinical Social Worker and Instructor, Western Michigan University School of Social Work

Bryan Warner, LMSW is a clinical social worker for Western Michigan University (WMU) FASTER Program and an Instructor at WMU School of Social Work. He has over 20 years’ experience working with children and families from diverse populations across multiple facets of the child... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Bach (88)

1 hour session

3:30pm CDT

Leadership SIS

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

Bach (88)

Limited Capacity seats available

Leadership doesn’t begin with a title - it begins with guidance, curiosity, and community. That’s why mentorship plays such a critical role in shaping Occupational Therapy leaders, yet many professionals struggle to find or cultivate meaningful mentor–mentee relationships. This session explores what effective mentorship looks like across career stages, how to build mutually beneficial partnerships, and how mentorship can strengthen leadership capacity within the OT profession. Participants will engage in a guided networking exercise designed to create new connections, share experiences, and identify potential mentorship opportunities that can continue long after the conference ends.

Speakers

Sarah Roe, OTD, OTR/L, CCM

Senior Manager, Home and Community Care Transitions

Sarah Roe graduated from The University of Toledo in Toledo, OH in 2014 with an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree. She also obtained a graduate certificate in Contemporary Gerontological Practice. She started her career in SNF and Home Health, and has experience as... Read More →

Amber Midena, MS, OTRL, MBA-HR

Clinical Lead Care Coordinator, Home and Community Care Transitions

Amber Midena graduated with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Grand Valley State University in 2015 and later completed the Leadership Certificate Program in 2023. She went on to earn her MBA with a human resources emphasis in 2026. Amber started her career in the... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Bach (88)

SIS Meeting / Session