In this special episode, you will be learning from two leading powerhouses in Occupational Therapy leadership, Samia Rafeedie, Samia H. Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, FAOTA (OTAC) on a state level and Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA (AOTA) on the national level. We will learn about their experiences at the AOTA Hill Day event in Washington D.C., where occupational therapy practitioners meet with legislators to advocate for the profession. Both leaders shared their motivations for participating, with Samia highlighting her roles as an OTAC president and professor at USC, while Arameh emphasized her experience as AOTA president and the importance of collective advocacy in areas like mental health, school-based services, telehealth, and Medicare. We are so fortunate to witness our state and national associations in collaboration for OT Representation on Capitol Hill. You will know exactly what I mean when you listen to this energizing episode.
Samia H. Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, FAOTA
Dr. Samia Rafeedie is the Director of the Professional Program in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC), and professor of clinical occupational therapy. She has been on the faculty since 2008 and has primarily taught adult physical rehabilitation, kinesiology, and topics on professional development and association engagement. Samia has been an occupational therapist for 24 years, with additional practice interests in productive aging and geriatrics, pedagogy and higher education, mentorship, and volunteerism. She is the President of the Occupational Therapy Association of California, and is invested in strengthening the association by recruiting and maintaining members. Some of her favorite occupations include spending time with my family, taking trips together and going out to eat for Japanese food (our favorite!). She also LOVES volunteering for our state association. It fills her cup!
Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh is a Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy and former Director of Admissions at the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. As the architect of USC Chan’s holistic admissions process, She led transformative efforts that resulted in the most diverse cohorts in the Division’s history—all while preserving rigorous and effective admissions standards. Her leadership has also been pivotal in strengthening recruitment and retention strategies, creating pathway programs, and promoting inclusive pedagogy. A Founding Member and former Chair of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), Dr. Anvarizadeh has been a driving force in advancing justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression within the occupational therapy profession. She is the visionary behind many of COTAD’s cornerstone initiatives, including COTAD Chapters, the COTAD Toolkit, the Ignite Series, and the Fieldwork Task Force. Dr. Anvarizadeh made history as the youngest and the first Black and Iranian woman to serve as Vice President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and to be inducted into the prestigious Roster of Fellows (FAOTA). She made history again with her landslide election as AOTA President, a role she officially assumed in July 2025. In addition to her current role as AOTA President, Dr. Anvarizadeh has held numerous national leadership positions, including Chair of the Credential Review and Accountability Committee (CRAC), member of the Representative Assembly Leadership Committee (RALC), member of the Governance Task Force, and liaison between the Governance and DEI Task Forces. She also served on the AOTA Special Task Force on Entry-Level Education and was a key contributor to the national dialogue on entry-level degree requirements. Dr. Anvarizadeh is a proud alumna of the 2020 Executive Leadership Program for Multicultural Women. In her home state of California, she has been recognized with the Janice Matsutsuyu Outstanding Service Award and the Vision Award from the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). She previously served as OTAC’s Communications Chair for seven years and contributed to various committees, including Advocacy and Government Affairs and Conference Planning. An accomplished author and dynamic speaker, Dr. Anvarizadeh has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences, delivering keynotes, lectures, and commencement addresses. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is a contributing editor to the recently published book Occupational Identity. Most recently, Dr. Anvarizadeh is embracing her most meaningful role yet: motherhood. She is intentional about honoring this life shift, leaning into her community, and nurturing balance. Deeply passionate about building sustainable, healthy, and inclusive communities, she continues to champion equity, empowerment, and advocacy. Through her work and heart-centered leadership, she inspires others to discover, cultivate, and amplify their fullest potential.
Resources:
AOTA’s website on Advocacy Issues: https://www.aota.org/advocacy/issues
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)
https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/mental-health-parity-addiction-equity
Here is a link from AOTA about this: https://www.aota.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/2025/occupational-therapy-mental-health-parity-act-reintroduced-in-house
Legislators and Senators:
Timothy Kennedy https://kennedy.house.gov/
Lucy McBath https://mcbath.house.gov/
Adam Schiff https://www.schiff.senate.gov/
Lateefah Simon https://simon.house.gov/
Sydney Kamlager-Dove https://kamlager-dove.house.gov/
AOTA PAC https://www.aota.org/advocacy/political-action-committee
OTAC PAC https://www.otaconline.org/advocacy/political-action-committee
AB 1009 https://www.otaconline.org/advocacy/school-based-practice-credential-initiative
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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