In this special roundtable episode, I am joined by fellow members of the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee for an honest and inspiring conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, emerging practice, and the future of occupational therapy. Together, we explore how occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are creating impact in spaces far beyond traditional healthcare settings while remaining deeply rooted in the core values of our profession. From home organization and functional medicine to marketing, ergonomics, community-based practice, leadership, and advocacy, this episode highlights the many ways OT practitioners are applying their unique lens to solve problems, create opportunities, and improve lives. Whether you're a student, clinician, educator, entrepreneur, or someone simply curious about where OT can go next, this conversation offers encouragement, practical advice, and a reminder that there is no single path to being an occupational therapy practitioner.

In This Episode:

• The vision behind the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee

• Why innovation and entrepreneurship matter now more than ever

• How OT practitioners are creating careers beyond traditional settings

• The unique strengths OTs and OTAs bring into emerging practice areas

• Overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and professional isolation

• Finding community, mentorship, and support in non-traditional roles

• Advice for students, new graduates, and practitioners considering a career pivot

Featured Guests:

Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA -President, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arameh-anvarizadeh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drarameh/?hl=en

Should I Be an AOTA Member? Arameh Anvarizadeh’s 2-Minute Pitch -OT Potential with Sarah Lyon - Breakdown of 4 C’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h7FyFBnebc&t=26s

Sarah Larsen, OTR/L - Home Organization Occupational Therapist

Website: https://balancedhomeorganization.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedhomeorganization_pdx/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalancedHomeOrganization/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-larsen-292390181/

Anne-Marie Dundas, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Functional Medicine & Wellness Practitioner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-marie-dundas-2963378b/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whole_life_healthy_/

Krista Frahm, OTR/L – Occupationa Therapist, Marketing Strategist & Copywriter for Healthcare Professionals

Website: https://www.kristafrahm.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristafrahmagency/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristafrahmagency/

Aja Black, COTA/L, CAE - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant & Ergonomics Professional

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aja-black-b676b4125/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajaeblack/?hl=en

Patricia Motus, OTR/L, CTIS, RYT - Community-Based Occupational Therapist, Educator, Mentor, Speaker, and Host of The Uncommon OT Series

Website: https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-motus/

Instagram: @transitionsOT

Additional Ad Hoc Committee Members:

Tomeico Faison, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA - Entrepreneur

Website: https://tomeicofaison.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeicofaison/

Gretchen Kingma, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM - Realtor

Website: https://empoweredhomes.com/author/gretchen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-kingma-21930387/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenkingma_/?hl=en

AOTA Education Ad Hoc Committee

Ryan Lavalley, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlavalley/

Innovative Practice OT Interest & Connection Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4L_DkBlWZmrwn3o-OglNyzsTqjClaYKSJvx4X0GOwUapIbA/viewform

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you, or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at [email protected] or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

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For Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewform

Happy Listening Friends! 

Big OT Love!

All views are mine and guests own.