President: Debb Dorsett, MOT, OTR/L, CEIM

Debb Dorsett attended Cabarrus College of Health Sciences for her OTA and OT education. Her background includes pediatric outpatient, early intervention, home / community, academia, and leadership roles. She owns Circle Therapy, a pediatric practice in NC. Debb is an enthusiastic advocate of holistic intervention, feeding, eating and swallowing, sensory processing, relationship based therapeutic use of self, inclusion for children of all abilities, ethical service delivery, OT and OTA partnerships, mentorship, and occupational balance for practitioners. Debb strongly believes that OT practitioners can make lasting, meaningful impact by seeking and accepting opportunities to expand OT in our communities. Her most passionate occupation is motherhood and greatest inspiration comes from her 6 beautiful children, ever supportive partner, and colleagues that help her laugh and smile through life's many adventures. 

Contact: [email protected]

President-Elect: Charley Jo Cross, MS, OTR/L

Charley Jo Cross attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill obtaining her Master’s degree in occupational Therapy in 2018. She has focused her early career on expanding occupational therapy services in rural North Carolina and recognizes the importance of occupation-based practice to demonstrate the effectiveness of occupational therapy. She served as occupational therapist and Director of Occupational Therapy with Monarch where she developed an occupational therapy program, served in a leadership role, and provided occupational therapy services focused on mental health to those most in need. Most recently, she provides effective, evidence-based services to autistic individuals and their families as the autism specialist and occupational therapist at the Greensboro Center with UNC Chapel Hill’s TEACCH Autism Program. Charley has been a member of NCOTA since she was a student in the UNC Chapel Hill MSOT program and has participated in a number of activities within the organization including presenting at conference, advocating for mental health OT services, actively participating in the Alliance for Mental Health Promotion group, facilitating a community of practice through the AMHP group, and most recently she served as the Education and Research SIS co-chair from 2022-2024.

Vice President: Vacant

Contact: [email protected]

Secretary: Allison Bolin, MS, OTR/L, MBA

Allison (she/her) is a seasoned hospital administrator with over 21 years of clinical, managerial, and operational experience in the healthcare industry. She serves the hospital in various capacities, including clinical business operations, marketing and network development, ambulatory services development, and continuous improvement governance. Allison has experience practicing in SNF, ALF, acute care, AIR, and ambulatory settings and has served as an adjunct faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Currently, Allison is the secretary of the United Way of Chatham County Board of Directors and an active participant in the Chatham Health Alliance. Residing in Pittsboro, NC for 19 years, Allison and her husband are proud to raise their two boys in Chatham County, where she enjoys cycling and spending time with her family.

Contact: [email protected]

Treasurer: Jennifer Lowder, MSOT

Jennifer Lowder is a graduate of Cabarrus College of Health and Sciences where she received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She completed a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management from Pfeiffer University and Associates in Health Science in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Stanly Community College. Jennifer currently works as an occupational therapist in North Carolina Public Schools. She is a supporter for the inclusion of children with a disability and applying occupation- based practice throughout school community environments.  In the summers, she enjoys working for Atrium in acute care and outpatient settings, mentoring students, and spending quality time with family.

Contact: [email protected]

Member at Large:  Vacant 

OTA Liaison: Denae Floyd, COTA/L

Denae received her OTA based education from Durham Technical Community College. She has worked in several settings including home health, private clinics, charter schools and skilled nursing. However, working with preschool age children brings her such joy. There is never a dull or carbon copied day and knowing that OT helped shape the foundation of many future leaders is also a joy.

Denae is a passionate and dynamic COTA that finds immense fulfillment in collaborating with families, educators, and other professionals to promote accessibility and equality.  She is motivated and fueled by The Golden Rule. Denae is dedicated to helping the pediatric population and their families achieve their personal goals through educated coaching, therapeutic interventions and most importantly..PLAY! 

Contact: [email protected]

Legal and Political Co-Chairs: Clarice Grote, MS, OTR/L & Dawn Solomon, OTR/L

Clarice Grote, MS, OTR/L is an innovate advocate for occupational therapy, Medicare specialist, and Founder of Amplify OT. Clarice is dedicated to inspiring occupational therapy practitioners and students to engage in advocacy to create meaningful change in our healthcare system.

Contact: [email protected]

Membership Co-Chairs: Brittni Winslow, MS, OTR/L & Anna DeDiemar, MOT, OTR/L, COTA

Brittni Winslow (she/her/hers) received her masters degree in occupational therapy from East Carolina University in 2011 and promptly began her career in pediatrics. She has now worked with the pediatric population for over 10 years and has experience and training in sensory processing, reflex integration, DIR/Floortime, SOS Approach to Feeding, and working with a variety of diagnoses such as Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and dyslexia. She is the Executive Director and Owner of Emerge Pediatric Therapy (formerly Emerge - A Child's Place). Brittni is married to another entrepreneur in the food service industry, and has 3 daughters who keep her very busy with their many occupations. She previously served as the SIS co-chair of the Admin and Leadership SIS.

Anna is from Cincinnati, OH, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She later received her associate degree from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences as an occupational therapy assistant and is a recent graduate of the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the same college. Anna has clinical experience in outpatient orthopedic hand therapy, school systems, behavioral health, subacute rehabilitation, and inpatient acute care. She is currently enjoying her role as an instructor and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. She also works part-time in the clinical setting with the adult and geriatric population. Anna has a passion for neurological and orthopedic diagnoses but also enjoys teaching her students how to be skilled, compassionate, and innovative occupational therapy practitioners. Her other interests include the arts, spending time with her daughter and dog outdoors, and traveling. 

Contact: [email protected]

Continuing Education Co-Chairs:  Sydney Mitchell, MS, OTR/L, CNS, CBIS & Swetal Thaker, OTR/L

Sydney Mitchell, MS, OTR/L, CNS, CBIS (she/her/hers) received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina and currently works in neuroscience acute care at Duke University Hospital as well as in various instructional roles in the Duke OTD program. Sydney has gained experience in critical care occupational therapy through the Duke Acute & Critical Care OT Fellowship and has received specialty certification to become a Certified Neuro Specialist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist. She has a passion for neurorehab, improving access to care for underinsured patients, and student mentorship. Her favorite occupations outside of work include rock climbing, camping, crocheting, pottery, and gardening.  

Swetal Thaker received her Master's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2013. She started her OT career by working in Florida in a skilled nursing facility with older adults and then switched to pediatrics. She worked at a private practice with experience in seeing children in the home, school, daycare/preschool, and clinic setting. After moving to North Carolina, Swetal continued her work in pediatrics at Developmental Therapy Associates in the Triangle area in the clinic, school, and daycare/preschool settings. Currently, Swetal is serving as the Clinical Director at DTA where she is responsible for clinical supervision, direct patient care as needed, developing the clinical teams and overseeing all clinical operations across 4 clinics. Since 2019, Swetal has been presenting on sensory processing and fine motor at the ASK Conference through the Early Years Organization, which is a conference geared towards early education providers. Swetal and her husband have two young daughters and a pug, who keep life interesting in the best ways! 

Contact: [email protected]

Communications and Outreach Co-Chair: Christine McConnell, DC, OTR/L, Kayleigh Fessenden, OTD, OTR/L, & Alexandra Van Staden, OTR/L, BCPR

Dr. Christine McConnell is an Associate Professor and faculty for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Wingate University. Dr. McConnell earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Bachelor of Human Biology and a Doctor of Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. She has almost 40 years of experience including early intervention, hospital, home-based, school-based, skilled care, community, and center-based settings and has additional expertise in management, business leadership/private practice, and program development.  Dr. McConnell has been in academia since 2014, involved with curriculum development, dynamic classroom and content process, interprofessional education and the development of the Wingate University OT Student Led Educational Clinic. Currently, Dr. McConnell is teaching the evidence-based practice course series as well as human gross anatomy at Wingate University.  Her areas of current research include interprofessional education and evidence-based scholarship within occupational therapy education and all areas of clinical practice.

Kayleigh Fessenden is currently an occupational therapy instructor at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences instructing courses on development, mental health, adult intervention and kinesiology as well as serving as a capstone advisor. She has been an occupational therapist for 13 years working in both the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation environment specializing in hip fractures, amputations, fall prevention and balance. Kayleigh designed and led a joint commission accredited hip fracture program in the inpatient rehabilitation environment, as well as played the role of Student Fieldwork Coordinator. Prior to switching to academia, she held the role Director of Rehabilitation for an outpatient clinic in an assisted living facility that included a memory care unit. Kayleigh is originally from South Florida and relocated to North Carolina. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, running, doing yoga, traveling and spoiling her nieces and nephews

Alexandra Van Staden, OTR/L, BCPR, received her master’s in occupational therapy from Florida International University in 2015 and is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration from UNCW. With over 9 years of experience, Alexandra has worked in acute care settings in multiple cities including Miami, Boston, Chapel Hill, and now Durham. Currently, Alexandra works in acute care at the Durham VA Medical Center where she has the privilege of working with the veteran population, providing holistic and occupation-based interventions while addressing both physical and psychosocial needs. Alexandra is particularly passionate about ICU care, early mobility, and mentoring occupational therapy students. Alexandra is originally from Massachusetts but now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys baking, gardening, and skiing.

Contact: [email protected]

Education and Research Co-Chairs:   Stacey Caplan, OTD, OTR/L & Heather Beth Johnson, OTD, OTR/L

Stacey (she/her) is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Wingate University.  She has over 30 years of clinical experience in pediatric private practice that has expanded her education and expertise toward non-profit management, organizational leadership, and program development. Her practice experience spans NICU, PICU, early intervention, hospital, home-based, school-based and center-based settings. Stacey’s advanced training and professional interests reflect her passion surrounding infant and child development and working with families caring for children with medically complex, special needs. Outside of her professional roles, Stacey’s favorite occupations include hiking, biking, exploring NC wineries, reading and gathering with family and friends.

After graduating in 2007, Heather began working as an Occupational Therapist in skilled nursing. In that setting, I had the opportunity to work in a locked dementia unit. I also worked with short term rehab stay clients and long term care residents. After 7 years working in nursing homes, I had the opportunity to shift to academia. I was the founding OTA program director for the only OTA Program in the state of Nevada at that time. I continued my journey as an academician as a remote assistant professor in an OTA Online program. I am passionate about advocating for the profession of OT by instructing future OT practitioners. 

Contact: [email protected]

Awards Chair:  Jessie Floyd, OT

Jessie Floyd is a graduate of the University of North Carolina where they received a BA in psychology and MA in Occupational Therapy. They are currently working for Central Regional State Hospital which focuses on mental health recovery and rehabilitation.

Contact: [email protected]

Bylaws Chair: Reese Vikram, OTR/L, BCPR 

Reese Vikram, OTR/L (he/him/his) received his Masters in Occupational Therapy from University of Tennessee Health Science Center.  He currently works as a Senior Occupational Therapist at Duke Raleigh Hospital. He has experience in home health, outpatient, and skilled nursing settings.   Prior to his involvement in

NCOTA, he served as Vice Chair for Middle TN in their OT association (TNOTA). He has a lab named Jet and enjoys traveling, golf and spending time with family/friends. 

Contact: [email protected]

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair: Julius Davis, MHA, COTA/L

Julius Davis, MHA, COTA/L Julius Davis is a Rehabilitation Director for Broad River Rehab with over 5 years of occupational therapy experience in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Over the years, Julius has enjoyed helping patients reach their full therapeutic potential while also empowering his colleagues to reach professional goals. Julius looks forward to bringing his experience in DEI, to inspire and create opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners throughout the state of North Carolina. 

Contact: [email protected]

Special Interest Section Co-Chair:  Nicole Creech, MSOT, OTR/L

Nicole Creech, MSOT, OTR/L, (she/her/hers) received a BA in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University. She is currently employed at UNC Lenoir, as an Outpatient Therapist, as well as the current OT Fieldwork Coordinator. Nicole has worked in a variety of treatment areas including acute, inpatient rehab, transitional care, outpatient, and skilled nursing. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading, and relaxing at the pool/beach.

Contact: [email protected]

SIS Administration and Leadership Co-Chairs: Alyssa Pittman, OTR/L, CLT & Maryann B. Brennan, OTD, MA, OTR/L, CSP

Alyssa Pittman, OTR/L, CLT, earned her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. Presently, she is pursuing a Master's in Health Administration while concurrently serving as Assistant Manager of Rehabilitation Services at Duke University Hospital. Her overarching vision encompasses empowering fellow professionals, striving for operational excellence, exploring non-traditional career trajectories within Occupational Therapy, and championing the advancement of the profession.

Maryann Brennan, OTD, MA, ORT/L, CSP

Prior to moving to Sunset Beach, North Carolina and joining the Brunswick County Schools Exceptional Children staff, she practiced in Pennsylvania for over 30 years.   Dr. Brennan served as an Adjunct Faculty member and Assistant Professor at Alvernia University and Penn State University.   Dr. Brennan has presented at state and national conventions over the years.

Dr. Brennan earned a B.S. in Occupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Dr. Brennan continued her professional development by earning an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology from Immaculata University. A lifelong learner, Dr. Brennan continued her journey earning her Post Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts. While at Boston University she developed her skills under the Dr. Wendy Coster and Dr. Karen Jacobs.

 Dr. Brennan brings with her a broad range of skills to the profession.  She has spent much of her career working in diverse pediatric and community settings. Dr. Brennan has over thirty (30) years of clinical experience in the hospital setting (NICU, inpatient, and outpatient adult and pediatric), early intervention (Birth-3-year-old), preschool (3-5), K-12 public education, and numerous adult settings.   

 Dedicating her career to helping individuals achieve and acquire skills, Dr. Brennan founded her company Brennan Educational Services, LLC, expanding her ability to provide comprehensive services to children, adults, and families.  Continuing her lifelong educational journey, she developed her Community-Based Practice Paradigm (copyright pending) while at Alvernia University and Penn State University.  Collaborating with professionals in the community, raising awareness for occupational therapy, and developing future leaders in the field continue to be a passion fueling Dr. Brennan’s endeavors. 

 Dr. Brennan’s educational philosophy is driven by continuous evaluation to ensure her students are prepared to deliver impactful results, utilizing the best practices most currently available. Her philosophy is perhaps best encapsulated by Simon Sinek, “The value of a true leader is not measured by the work they do but by the work they inspire others to do.”

Contact: [email protected]

SIS Gerontology Co-Chairs: Paulina Graham, OT/L and Jeff Lucas, Ph.D., OTR/L, CDP, CKTP, CAPS

Dr. Lucas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Winston-Salem State University. Dr. Lucas received his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University earning a BS in Recreational Therapy in 2005, BA degree in Psychology from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 2006.  He then achieved his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Winston-Salem State University in 2009.  Then he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. He joined Winston-Salem State University in 2017 as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy.

Dr. Lucas has worked in multiple settings during his career as a practicing occupational therapist including acute care, outpatient, home health and skilled nursing. Skilled nursing is where he spent most of his practicing years specializing in geriatrics, fall prevention, wheelchair seating and positioning, and splinting and contracture management. Dr. Lucas's research interests are Factors Influencing Burnout in Rehabilitation Directors in Skilled Nursing Facilities and The Impact of Free Occupational Therapy Clinics has on Student Learning.

Dr. Lucas, co-founded/owner Trending Devlopment, LLC in 2019. Trending Devlopment, LLC allows an individual (s) to obtain and sustain affordable housing in Eastern North Carolina.  

Contact:  [email protected]

SIS Mental Health Co-Chairs: Hannah Kanthak, MAOT, OTR/L & Christa Gallie-Weiss, MS, OTR/L, CAPS, RYT500, CA, HTP-A

Hannah Kanthak, MAOT, OTR/L (she/her/hers) received her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University in Minnesota. She completed the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Fellowship at the Durham VA Health Care System, which emphasizes providing recovery and function-focused services to Veterans with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. She currently works at the Durham VA, providing holistic and occupation-based interventions within the acute care setting. Hannah finds joy in spending time with loved ones, fostering dogs, reading, gardening, and trying her best at trivia. 

Christa (she/her/hers) earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Temple University, and her post-professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University.  She has worked in a variety of clinical settings in her career, always with a holistic approach that emphasizes the mind-body connection. After nearly a decade in academia, Christa started an occupational therapy program in the behavioral health service line of Atrium Health in Davidson

in 2021. She continues to mentor fieldwork students from NC OT and OTA programs year-round to inspire a new generation of clinicians to advocate for OT's distinct value in improving mental health in our communities. Christa considers herself a lifelong learner who enjoys asking questions, exploring new places, self-reflection on her yoga mat, and spending time with her family and friends. 

 Contact: [email protected]

SIS Children and Youth Co-Chairs:  Karen Merchant, MS, OTR/L & Tamika Harris

Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Birth to Kindergarten Education from Appalachian State University before pursuing a Master's of Occupational Therapy from Tennessee State University. She has over 20 years of experience working in pediatric settings. Karen began as a special education preschool teacher in Nashville, TN working in a private setting and in the school system. As an occupational therapist, she has over 14 years of experience working in a private clinic setting and in the public school setting. Karen enjoys spending time listening to her husband play music locally and spending time with her two children. She is an active tennis player and loves traveling to the  NC Mountains to relax, hike, ski, and watch the Mountaineers play football.

Contact: [email protected]

SIS Physical Disabilities Co-Chairs:  Tina Webb, OTD, MS, OTR/L & Sanchala Sen, OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCPR

Tina Webb (she/her/hers) is an adjunct professor at Winston-Salem State University.  Much of her professional background is in adult inpatient rehab settings, including acute care, inpatient rehab, and skilled nursing settings.  While she enjoys all things OT, she has particularly love for working with clients with stroke and neurological conditions.  Away from work she enjoys traveling, and spending time with family, both the two-legged and four-legged ones.

Dr. Sanchala Sen (she/her/hers) is an assistant professor in the department of Occupational Therapy. She is originally from India and has been in the US since 1993. She has been an occupational therapist for over 35 years and has experience in several OT settings. Her expertise is in Neurological conditions as it relates to OT and the NICU. She teaches mainly Adult-based and NICU courses and Labs in OT. She likes to read, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

Contact:  [email protected]

SIS Home Health Co-Chairs: Kayla Smith, OTD, OTR/L & OPEN

Kayla (she/her/hers) received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University and her Master’s degree from Winston Salem State University. She currently works for Advance Home Health as a clinical therapist. Her professional interests relate to work with clients with stroke/TBI, COPD, and dementia. She also enjoys being a fieldwork educator. Her personal occupations are traveler, hockey lover, wife, dog mom, and gardener.

SIS Technology Co-Chairs: Annabeth Knight, OTD, OTR/L, ATP & Open

Annabeth Knight, OTD, OTR/L, ATP (she/her/hers) is an occupational therapist and an assistant professor/doctoral capstone coordinator in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Methodist University. Her clinical experience includes early intervention, schools, outpatient pediatrics, and assistive technology consultation, where she specializes in assistive technology evaluation and intervention. Annabeth has presented at state, national, and international conferences on transdisciplinary assistive technology provision, program development, therapy dosage, and quality of life of children with complex medical profiles. 

Contact:  [email protected]

Student Board Members: Tionne Davis OTA/S & La'Tanasia Dockery, OTS

Tionne Davis (she/her/hers) is a 24- year-old OTA student at Durham Technical Community College in Durham, NC. Before embarking on this journey, she received her bachelor’s in biology at East Carolina University. She believes that as an OT practitioner, it is our duty to help those in need no matter their background or status. She wishes to work in geriatrics and specialize in stroke. After working as a COTA, she plans to further her education and gain her MOT. She looks forward to gaining experience and knowledge from experienced and new practitioners as well as contributing to the field. If not in school and working, Tionne enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading, and discovering new restaurants.  

Contact: [email protected]

NCBOT Liaison: Heidi Dorfman, MS, OTR/L

Heidi (she/her/hers) received her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Boston University.  She is currently working in a private practice setting.  He professional interests are in older adults and aging in place.  She enjoys her role as a wife and grandmother of two.  Heid has many hobbies, including dance and playing the drums and ukulele.