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.

9:45am CDT

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

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

9:45am CDT

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Assessing and Treating Medication Management

LIMITED

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

Beethoven (96)

Limited Capacity seats available

Medication management is a complex occupation that significantly impacts health outcomes, safety, and participation in everyday outcomes. Occupational therapy practitioners play a distinct role in promoting medication adherence by evaluating performance barriers, analyzing routines and contexts, and implementing client-centered strategies. This interactive 2 hour session will explore occupational therapy's role in medication management across adult practice setting including assessment approaches, functional cognition considerations, environmental modifications, habit formation strategies, and interprofessional collaboration. Participants will examine evidence-based interventions and practical clinical application to support safe, effective medication management. Additionally, participants will learn to implement and interpret two assessment tools that can be easily adopted within their practice. References: American Occupational Therapy Association (2017). Occupational therapy's role in medication management. American Occupational Therapy, 71(Suppl. 2). Schwartz, J. K. & Smith, R. O. (2016). Intervention promoting medication adherence: A randomized, Phase 1, small-N study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70, 7006240010. Zartman, A. L., et al. (2013). The Pillbox Test: An ecological measure of executive functioning and estimate of medication management abilities. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 28, 307-319.

Speakers

Dr. Cathleen Johnson, OTD, OTRL, FMIOTA, FNAP, FAOTA

Director of Admissions, Associate Professor, South College

Dedicated professional with 36 years of experience creating rehabilitation programs and productive learning environments while utilizing various methodologies to increase student satisfaction. Quality leader who leverages creativity and teaching experience to engage a diverse student... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT
Beethoven (96)

2 hour session

9:45am CDT

Beyond Symptom Management: Root-Cause Approaches to Chronic and Neuropathic Pain

LIMITED

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT

Beethoven (96)

Limited Capacity seats available

Back pain, neck pain, neuropathies, and chronic pain conditions of unknown origin are increasingly prevalent among the patients outpatient occupational therapists serve every day.

In this presentation, Shara introduces root-cause approaches to pain management that address symptoms through manual techniques and neuromuscular re-education.

A core premise of this session is that many clients with chronic pain remain symptomatic due to the overuse of smaller muscle groups and the under-activation of larger muscle groups essential for daily functioning — such as typing, cooking, standing, reaching, and walking.

Compounding this is the reality that many clients operate in a state of sympathetic nervous system dominance, marked by anxiety, worry, and a persistent fight-or-flight response that further disrupts coordinated, effortless movement.

To truly address chronic pain, we must retrain the nervous system to release inefficient, compensatory movement patterns and the over-contraction of muscles surrounding the pain site — replacing them with synergistic, effortless alternatives.
Equally important is addressing the ergonomic and postural factors that may be contributing to the pain in the first place — an area where OTs are uniquely positioned to make a lasting difference.

Attendees will gain a fresh perspective and practical tools to apply directly with patients—and may even leave the session with greater freedom of movement and improved alignment in their own bodies.

Evidence based references:
Berland, R., Marques-Sule, E., Marín-Mateo, J. L., Moreno-Segura, N., López-Ridaura, A., & Sentandreu-Mañó, T. (2022). Effects of the Feldenkrais Method as a physiotherapy tool: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 13734. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113734
Agnese, M., et al. (2025). Effects of a Feldenkrais method-based protocol on body fluid balance and stress-related measures in healthy adult women: A pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 45, 812–818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.10.012
Crivelli, D., Di Ruocco, M., Balena, A., & Balconi, M. (2021). The empowering effect of embodied awareness practice on body structural map and sensorimotor activity: The case of Feldenkrais Method. Brain Sciences, 11(12), 1599. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11121599
Hillier, S., & Worley, A. (2015). The effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method: A systematic review of the evidence. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 752160. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/752160

Speakers

Shara Ogin

Outpatient Holistic Pain Relief Therapist, Self

Shara Ogin is an Occupational Therapist with 25 years of clinical experience, primarily in outpatient settings. She is also a certified Ergonomist with five years of practice and a certified Feldenkrais® somatic practitioner since 2002, bringing a uniquely integrative perspective... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT
Beethoven (96)

2 hour session

9:45am CDT

The doctoral capstone: A diverse and innovative approach to expanding opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners

LIMITED

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT

Brahams (88)

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation will identify the doctoral capstone purpose and process, delineate the capstone team member roles, compare and contrast fieldwork to capstone and highlight the benefits to the capstone host site. Several doctoral capstone experience examples will be explored and anticipated timelines will be discussed. Representatives from the four entry-level OTD programs in Michigan including Concordia University - Ann Arbor, University of Michigan-Flint, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University will share information about each of their curriculum's research, leadership and capstone preparation-focused coursework. The session will conclude with networking and brainstorming of potential capstone ideas

Speakers

Holly Grieves, OTD, OTRL, FMiOTA

Capstone Coordinator, Master Faculty Specialist, Western Michigan University

I started my career in academia fresh out of graduating from WMU’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program in 2011. I worked as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) for a couple of years prior. Honestly, it was a right place/right time circumstance. I sat... Read More →

Marra Robert, OTD, OTRL

Capstone Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Michigan - Flint

Dr. Robert is the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Michigan-Flint. She is a national board-certified occupational therapist and licensed practitioner in the state of Michigan. Her clinical... Read More →

Reggie Kehoe, OTD, OTRL

Capstone Coordinator, Assistant Professor, Concordia University

Dr. Kehoe is the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and an assistant professor for the OTD and Rehabilitation Science programs at Concordia University Ann Arbor. His clinical experiences include providing occupational therapy services in acute care, inpatient mental health, and hospital-affiliated... Read More →

Christine Kivlen, PhD, OTRL

Capstone Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor, Wayne State University

Dr. Christine Kivlen is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator in the Department of Health Care Sciences at Wayne State University. As an occupational therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience, Dr. Kivlen specializes in mental health, human-animal... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 11:45am CDT
Brahams (88)

2 hour session