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.

2:15pm CDT

Advancing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) plays a central role in advancing employment opportunities and independence for individuals with disabilities across the state. As part of this mission, the Business Network Division Director and the Occupational Therapy Manager will provide an overview of MRS’s statewide service delivery model, with a focus on the critical role occupational therapy providers play in supporting successful vocational outcomes. This session will highlight current needs for qualified vendors to deliver specific OT services, including vehicle modification evaluations, home modification evaluations, and general assistive technology assessments. Presenters will outline the standards, competencies, and documentation requirements associated with these service areas and discuss how high‑quality evaluations directly contribute to client success in employment and community integration.
In addition, the session will offer a clear, step‑by‑step overview of the process for becoming an approved vendor with MRS. Attendees will learn about application procedures, contractual expectations, reimbursement structures, and resources available to support providers throughout the onboarding process. By strengthening partnerships with skilled occupational therapy professionals, MRS aims to expand access to essential rehabilitation services statewide and ensure individuals receive the expertise necessary to achieve their vocational goals.

Speakers

Jennifer Piatt

Division Director of the Business Network Division, Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Jenny Piatt is the division director of the Business Network Division, responsible for all programmatic, promotional, and employer-related activities within Michigan Rehabilitation Services. She leads a full[1]service/state-wide disability management and business relations program... Read More →

Amy Hayes

OTRL, State of Michigan/MRS

Amy Hayes, OTRL is a Rehabilitation Consultant Manager with the Business NetworkDivision. Her professional interests focus on ergonomics, workstationdesign, assistive technology, and job analysis. Her current projectsinclude work injury prevention training and job analysis to businessesthroughout... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

9:45am CDT

Clinical Decision Making for Upper Limb Prosthetics

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

This one-hour intermediate level course for PT/PTA, OT/OTA, RN, Case Managers will discuss how the impact of the loss of an arm, hand or digits cannot be overstated. This loss of aesthetic appearance, proprioceptive feedback, tactile sensation and fine, coordinated movements can only be replaced to a limited extent by a prosthetic device. Rehabilitation strategies and prosthetic component prescriptions should be patient centered with concentrated efforts to maximize function. The overall goal of amputation rehabilitation is to optimize the patient’s health, function, independence, and quality of life. The focus of this presentation will be the clinical decision-making process for adults with unilateral transradial or transhumeral level limb loss. With the knowledge gained from this presentation, the therapist will be a valuable asset to the prosthetist, working as a team to maximize the patient’s functional outcome.

Speakers

Ryan Sheridan

Upper Limb Prosthetic Specialist, Hanger Clinic

Ryan is an ABC-certified prosthetist and Upper Limb Prosthetic Specialist for Hanger Clinic. Ryan is based out of Metro Detroit and provides upper limb prosthetic support for the state of Michigan. With over 13 years of expertise in the field, he specializes in pediatric and adult... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

11:00am CDT

Why did I even learn models?: The recipes passed down to us

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

Although commonly regarded as uninteresting and/or useless by students and therapists alike (Additional-Match-422, 2024), this presentation explains the necessity that Models of Practice have in occupational therapy. We emphasize their importance in articulating occupational therapy’s unique contributions, supporting evidence-based practice, and acting as a platform for discussion (Hagedorn, 1993). Drawing an analogy between MOPs and recipes in the kitchen, our presentation makes the models’ role in practice more clear. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defines the domain (kitchen); the MOPs (recipes) structure practice; and the Frames of Reference (techniques) provide specific methods to create therapeutic outcomes (meals). We encourage the use and understanding of models, reinforcing the idea that models support, rather than replace, clinical reasoning and client-centered practice. Ultimately, we hope to stress the role that models serve to maintain our ability to best serve our clients and ensure occupational therapy’s future as a respected healthcare discipline.

References
Additional-Match-422. (2024) How often do you refer back to or use models or theories in practice? [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/OccupationalTherapy/comments/1avnjpt/how_often_do_you_refer_back_to_or_use_models_or/
Hagedorn, R. (1993). Models for practice in occupational therapy: Part 2, what use are they? British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(2), 59–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/030802269305600207
Occupational Therapy Practice Education Collaborative – Queensland (OTPEC-Q). (2016). Occupational therapy models of practice: Key concepts (Version 3). https://otpecq.group.uq.edu.au/files/2388/OT%20Models%20of%20practice%20KC%20v3%20FINAL.pdf
Wong, S. R., & Fisher, G. (2015). Comparing and Using Occupation-Focused Models. Occupational therapy in health care, 29(3), 297–315. https://doi.org/10.3109/07380577.2015.1010130
Yatczak, J. (2025). Introduction to theory in occupational therapy [Powerpoint slides]. Eastern Michigan University Canvas Page. https://emich.instructure.com/courses/93992/files/18391009?wrap= 1

Speakers

Jessica Lyseng

Student, Eastern Michigan University

Jessica Lyseng is in her second year of the combined BS+MSOT program at Eastern Michigan University. Jessica is originally from Homewood, IL and works at a youth homeless shelter nearby campus. She is finding the swing of things in her occupational therapy journey , and is very motivated... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

1:00pm CDT

Restoring What Matters: The Thamman Method of Myofascial Manipulation — An Occupation-Centered Framework for Bilateral Fascial Release, Neuromuscular Re-Education, and Return to Fearless Daily Function

LIMITED

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

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

Adaptive equipment is an essential OT tool — but it should be the last resort, not the first response. When a client cannot open a jar, button a shirt, or reach overhead to dress, the occupation-centered question is whether the underlying restriction can be restored before compensation becomes the permanent solution. For the chronic musculoskeletal conditions that dominate physical rehabilitation caseloads — carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritic hands, lateral epicondylalgia, and shoulder restriction — restoration is achievable when two mechanisms driving chronicity are directly addressed: bilateral compensatory fascial loading and neurological guarding that persists long after tissue release.
This evidence-based presentation introduces the Thamman Method of Myofascial Manipulation, a three-phase occupation-centered bilateral manual therapy framework grounded in the OTPF-4 and measured through the COPM, PSFS, and DASH. Attendees will learn how bilateral fascial assessment, a four-layer MFR sequence, and task-specific automaticity training restore fearless, automatic occupational performance — eliminating the need for adaptive equipment entirely.

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010.
Cup, E. H. C., Scholte op Reimer, W. J. M., Thijssen, M. C. E., & van Kuyk-Minis, M. A. H. (2003). Reliability and validity of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in stroke patients. Clinical Rehabilitation, 17(4), 402–409.
Hudak, P. L., Amadio, P. C., & Bombardier, C. (1996). Development of an upper extremity outcome measure: The DASH. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 29(6), 602–608.
Kleim, J. A., & Jones, T. A. (2008). Principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity: Implications for rehabilitation after brain damage. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 51(1), S225–S239.
Langevin, H. M., & Huijing, P. A. (2009). Communicating about fascia: History, pitfalls, and recommendations. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, 2(4), 3–8.
Law, M., Baptiste, S., Carswell, A., McColl, M. A., Polatajko, H., & Pollock, N. (2019). Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (5th ed., rev.). CAOT Publications.
Myers, T. W. (2014). Anatomy trains: Myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Schleip, R. (2003). Fascial plasticity: A new neurobiological explanation. Part 1. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 7(1), 11–19.
Stratford, P., Gill, C., Westaway, M., & Binkley, J. (1995). Assessing disability and change on individual patients: A report of a patient-specific measure. Physiotherapy Canada, 47(4), 258–263.
Swinnen, S. P., & Wenderoth, N. (2004). Two hands, one brain: Cognitive neuroscience of bimanual skill. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8(1), 18–25.
Vlaeyen, J. W. S., & Linton, S. J. (2000). Fear-avoidance and its consequences in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A state of the art. Pain, 85(3), 317–332.
Woby, S. R., Roach, N. K., Urmston, M., & Watson, P. J. (2005). Psychometric properties of the TSK-11. Pain, 117(1–2), 137–144.

Speakers

Sanjeev Thamman

Occupational Therapist / Owner, Cascade Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation P.C.

Sanjeev Thamman, MHS OTR, and Bindu Thamman, PT, are the founders of Cascade Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they have maintained a private practice since 2008. Sanjeev has practiced occupational therapy since 1990 and holds a Master of Health... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

2:15pm CDT

Beyond the Syllabus: Actionable Strategies for Fostering Belonging Among Minority OT Students

LIMITED

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

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

While diversity in occupational therapy enrollment has seen incremental growth, securing a seat at the table is only the first step. For underrepresented and minority students, true academic success and clinical confidence depend heavily on a deep sense of institutional belonging. Factors that foster a student’s sense of belonging include aspects of one’s campus environment (Strayhorn, 2023). Strayhorn (2023) stated that Black students’ sense of belonging positively correlates with academic outcomes such as grades and persistence, and personal development such as identity. Students can feel out of place on other campuses that are dissimilar to their home communities. Students of color, for example, struggle with feelings of belonging in higher education, especially at PWIs (Matthews et al., 2022). Too often, traditional OT curricula and standard fieldwork models unintentionally reinforce systemic barriers, leading to psychological distress, isolation, and higher attrition rates among minority cohorts.
This educational seminar moves beyond theoretical definitions of equity to provide occupational therapy faculty, program directors, and fieldwork coordinators with concrete, evidence-based frameworks for cultivating inclusive educational environments. The speaker will examine hidden institutional barriers and outline effective methods to shift from mere representation to active retention.
Attendees will be guided through a series of illustrative case studies demonstrating how to establish psychological safety in both the classroom and clinical settings. Finally, attendees will identify strategies to improve inclusive practices.
Matthews, A. K., Abboud, S., Smith, A. U., Smith, C., Jeremiah, R., Hart, A., & Weaver, T.
(2022). Strategies to address structural and institutional barriers to success among
students of color in nursing programs. Journal of Professional Nursing, 40, 96–104.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.03.005

Strayhorn, T. L. (2023). Estimating differences in the effects of living-learning community
participation on Black students’ sense of belonging at predominantly white and
historically black colleges and universities. Journal of College Student Development,
64(2), 225-230.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Analyze at least three systemic or institutional barriers that uniquely impact the sense of belonging and academic performance of minority students in OT programs.
Consider culturally responsive teaching or mentorship frameworks that foster psychological safety in both classroom and fieldwork environments.
Identify strategies to assess and improve inclusive practices within their own OT curricula or student support systems.

Speakers

Kimberly Simpson

Program Coordinator/Professor-OTA Program, Mott Community College

Outside of her professional roles, Kim enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband, Willie, and celebrating the accomplishments of their children—Jada, Kameron, and Deborah—as they pursue their dreams. She especially loves keeping up with the adventures of her... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

3:30pm CDT

Mental Health SIS

LIMITED

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

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Susan Frisbie-Yu

Faculty Specialist I, Western Michigan University

Susan Frisbie-Yu has over 10 years of experience in clinical instruction and joined the faculty of Western Michigan University’s Occupational Therapy Department in a full-time capacity in 2025. Her clinical experience in outpatient and home/community-based practice has focused on... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Mosel (50)

SIS Meeting / Session

9:45am CDT

Letter Writing: An Occupation Across the Life Span

LIMITED

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

Historically, a handwritten letter helped people to stay connected, especially at a distance. (Westlake, 1876) Now it is novel and creative act. Drafting a letter is a private, personal way to give voice to emotions, conduct business, create personal narratives, and navigate difficult conversations. The recipient of the letter can be the writer themselves, family / friends, business associates, potential employers, government officials, or others. The task of writing and sending a letter is a potential therapeutic occupation-based intervention that therapists can use to address psychosocial, cognitive, sensory motor, self efficacy, and recovery issues for clients of varying ages, capacities, in a variety of settings. (Tadros et al, 2024) ( Gerde et al, 2014) The workshop will review structure and etiquette, adaptation and modification in person, environment or task, evidence of positive outcomes from various disciplines and settings, and cultural considerations

Speakers

Kathleen A Garvey

Owner, Sustain-Hability, LLC

Since Katie believes that health and well-being is promoted and maintained best through daily engagement in beloved routines and interests in a chosen supportive environment, she started her own community based OT practice in 2025. She helps older adults integrate and flourish... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

11:00am CDT

The Role of School-Based Occupational Therapists in Addressing Student Deprivation

LIMITED

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

The purpose of this study and talk is to examine occupational deprivation among students with disabilities in school settings, emphasizing how environmental and social barriers hinder meaningful participation in daily school activities. Occupational deprivation arises when external factors limit access to essential occupations; for students with disabilities, these factors often stem not from the disability itself, but from physical inaccessibility, lack of accommodations, and social exclusion. School-based occupational therapists (SBOTs) play a crucial role in reducing these barriers through advocacy for universal design, creation of sensory-friendly environments, and promotion of social inclusion. The objective of this study is to raise awareness among SBOTs regarding these barriers and to explore their perceptions of their roles in addressing them. Using a digital questionnaire, the research investigates current beliefs about whether occupational therapists should influence environmental and social change within schools and what obstacles may prevent action. Ultimately, this study serves as a call to action, encouraging occupational therapists to recognize their capacity to foster equity, participation, and well-being for all students.

Speakers

Alexzandria Barone

PY 2 CMOT student, Easter Michigan University

Hello! My name is Alexzandria. I’m a second-year combined MOT student at Eastern Michigan University, with a minor in Special Education. I have a strong interest in occupational therapy within school settings, hippotherapy, and outpatient rehabilitation, as well as a deep connection... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session

1:00pm CDT

Rewiring Recovery: Early Outcomes of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation in Chronic SCI

LIMITED

Saturday October 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Mosel (50)

Limited Capacity seats available

Cervical-level spinal cord injuries (SCIs) account for approximately 50% of all traumatic SCIs (Alizadeh et al., 2019) and are associated with lower functional rehabilitation outcomes compared to thoracic, lumbar, and sacral-level injuries (Arsh et al., 2020). Many individuals with this diagnosis report that the most debilitating consequence is the loss of upper extremity function (Inanici et al., 2021). Although occupational therapy plays a significant role throughout the continuum of care—from acute to chronic stages—interventions for this population often lead to rapid plateaus in functional improvements (Moritz et al., 2024). This standard is being challenged by the use of neuromodulation through transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), a non-invasive modality demonstrating promising results. By providing electrical stimulation above and below the level of injury, tSCS can facilitate volitional movement, enhance autonomic nervous system function, and support meaningful functional gains when paired with skilled occupational therapy (Moritz et al., 2024). This presentation will explore the mechanisms of tSCS, summarize current evidence supporting its use in individuals with cervical SCI, identify areas for further research, and discuss preliminary outcomes from its first year of clinical application in a Michigan outpatient facility.

References
Alizadeh, A., Dyck, S. M., & Karimi-Abdolrezaee, S. (2019). Traumatic spinal cord injury:
An overview of pathophysiology, models and acute injury mechanisms. Frontiers in Neurology 10, 282. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00282
Arsh, A., Anwar, Z., Zeb, A., & Ilyas, S. M. (2020). Effectiveness of occupational therapy
in improving activities of daily living performance in complete cervical tetraplegic patients; A quasi experimental study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences,
36(2), 96–99. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.2.1002
Inanici, F.,Brighton, L. N.,Samejima, S., Hofstetter C. P., & Moritz, C. T. (2021).
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation restores hand and arm function after spinal cord injury. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 29, 310-319. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2021.3049133
Moritz, C., Field-Fote, E. C., Tefertiller, C., van Nes, I., Trumbower, R., Kalsi-Ryan, S.,
Purcell, M., Janssen, T. W., Krassioukov, A., Morse, L. R., Zhao, K. D., Guest, J., Marino, R. J., Murray, L. M., Wecht, J. M., Rieger, M., Pradarelli, J., Turner, A., D’Amico, J., Courtine, G. (2024). Non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: A safety and efficacy trial. Nature Medicine, 30(5), 1276–1283. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02940-9

Speakers

Sophia Casanova

Occupational Therapist, Walk the Line Recovery Therapy

Sophia is an OT specializing in neurorehabilitation (SCI, TBI, CVA). Graduating from EMU in 2023, she began working in outpatient neuro and in Feb 2025 she began using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in the clinic to help improve outcomes for spinal cord injury survivors. Since... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Mosel (50)

1 hour session