I took office in July with much hope and a

healthy dose of trepidation. It seemed as if we

were facing some significant challenges, as all
professional associations are in these times.
However, thus far, the NYSOTA presidency has
been invigorating. This new group of GSDers
[get stuff done-ers] has, I hope, breathed fresh
air into NYSOTAs efforts.
As we welcome a new executive board, I
am anticipating turning many corners with
NYSOTA in the upcoming days, weeks and
months. We have been working toward
advancements of the organization and the
launching of new member benefits for so long
now, and the time has finally come to move on
these advances and build on the foundations
laid.
The publication of this newsletter is a one
of these milestones for NYSOTA. We
have been developing new mechanisms for
gathering NYSOTA news, and are hoping
that the structures that are now emerging will
create avenues for all NYSOTA members to
contribute. We look forward to hearing from
all corners of the state about what is happening
in your area, and what you are working on. We
have also been working toward a new delivery
system for our newsletter, and are hoping that
we can deliver the news not only to members,
but encourage our members to share the news
with non-member peers in order to spark more
interest and more memberships.
As we are on the cusp of great developments,
I am looking forward to welcoming many
new members and volunteers through our
membership initiatives and the new NYSOTA
Volunteer Network. The NYSOTA Volunteer
Network is a grass roots program to match
potential volunteers with available volunteer
opportunities. We can work with volunteers to
find a position that will allow them to develop
new skills in areas they have interest in, or we
can work with them to find a position that
builds in skills already developed. We are
striving to utilize expertize and develop skills
in our members and volunteers.
Members can also follow our journey as
NYSOTA develops a blog about the life of a
volunteer leader, and about the inner workings
of our organization.
I hope you will join me in the challenge to refer
at least one new member this year, and perhaps
even take advantage of our referral program to
win some prizes by referring five new members.
Looking forward,
Melissa Whelan
President, NYSOTA
A

p
u
b
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n

o
f

t
h
e

N
e
w

Y
o
r
k

S
t
a
t
e

O
c
c
u
p
a
t
i
o
n
a
l

T
h
e
r
a
p
y

A
s
s
o
c
i
a
t
i
o
n
,

I
n
c
.
119 Washington Ave
2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12210
P (518) 462-3717
F (518) 432-5902
info@nysota.org
www.nysota.org
NYSOTA Welcomes New Board Members,
Looks Forward to Advancing Your Association
N
Y
S
O
T
A

N
e
w
s
INSIde ThIS ISSue
Letter from the President ........................................ 1
editors Choice ............................................................ 2
New limits on Medicaid Coverage ......................... 2
OT BIll Becomes Law ................................................ 2
Touro College Research Forum ............................. 3
AOTA Needs Your help! ......................................... 3
Capital district on the Move ................................... 4
2011 Low Vision Technology Fairs ......................... 4
hTd & extreme Makeover ...................................... 4
MNYd Mental health Taskforce ........................... 5
Friends dont Let Friends Membership Lapse ... 5
Sensory Friendly Time at MoST ............................. 6
York Students Spread OT Awareness .................. 7
Capital district Reaches North .............................. 7
Meet Your NYSOTA Board ..................................... 8
NYSOTA Volunteer Network ...............................11
NYSOTA 2011 Conference .................................... 12
Member Creates Trunks Game ............................ 16
F
a
l
l

2
0
1
1

V
o
l
u
m
e

2
2
,

N
u
m
b
e
r

3
NewYorkStateOccupational
TherapyAssociation
Inc.
NYSOTA
edITORS ChOICe
A new feature for NYSOTA News
by Gloria Lucker, Editor, NYSOTA News
Favorite Books
If you enjoy the spellbinding
works of Oliver Sacks (Rainman,
The Man Who Mistook His
Wife for a Hat, etc.) you will be
fascinated by The Minds Eye. In
this new book, Sacks turns his
attention to vision and many
aspects of visualization and the
effects of subtle, and not-so-
subtle visual impairments. Lots
of very useful information for us
in this amazing book.
I have always enjoyed the
writing of Jodi Picoult. In House
Rules, Picoult brings us the story
of a young man with Aspbergers
syndrome who is obsessed with
criminal investigation. Her
characterization of an adolescent
with this intriguing set of
talents and sensory processing
problems will keep you reading
non-stop.
Favorite New Product
Have you seen the Howdohug
seat? Great adaptation for school
based OT, the seat provides
comfortable, ergonomic, and
attractive seating for our
students who have difficulty
maintaining posture when floor
sitting.
Coming attraction
Go online to The Luckiest
Penny. This outstanding work
will premier at our NYSOTA
Conference in October. Dont
miss it!
Do you have a favorite?
Send it to news@nysota.org.
Based on recommendations from the
Medicaid Redesign Team, Governor
Cuomo included in the state budget
an arbitrary limit of 20 visits each per
year for occupational therapy, physical
therapy and speech therapy. This is bad
healthcare policy since it fails to take
into account patients with more severe
diagnoses, co-morbidities or patients
with more than one episode of illness
in a year. Medicaid patients under 21, or
with a developmental disability, or with
a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury
will be exempt.
Patients with strokes, spinal cord
injury, burns and other severe disabling
conditions need rehabilitation that
would certainly exceed a 20-visit limit.
Letters have been mailed out to
Medicaid beneficiaries informing them
that this new limit will go into effect
October 1. NYSOTA is urging members
to report any problems regarding this
new policy to legislation@nysota.org.

NYSOTA is concerned that when this
proposal is implemented, it will result
in Medicaid recipients with severe
disabilities being cut off from therapy
before treatment is completed. Many
Medicaid patients, unable to complete
rehabilitation will end up unable to
return home and some may be placed
in long-term care institutions where
additional Medicaid costs would
compound over many years.
The current proposal does not provide
for any exceptions process like Medicare
Part B, or a utilization threshold over-
ride system as we have had for other
Medicaid services.
NeW LIMITS ON MedICAId COVeRAGe OF OT
After nearly 10 years of work by
NYSOTA, the New York State
legislation, S.2911-A, sponsored by
Senator LaValle, passed both the Senate
and the Assembly and was signed into
law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on
August 17, 2011, as chapter 460 of the
laws of 2011.
The legislation amends Article 156 of the
education law, the occupational therapy
practice act. The new law goes into effect
180 days after the date that the bill was
signed into law, August 17. Excerpts of
the statute can be found beginning on
page 13 in Courier font. New language
is in capital letters; old language that
has been removed is bracketed and
struck through. A complete copy of the
new statute can be viewed at http://open.
nysenate. gov/legislation/bill/S2911A-2011.
An explanation of the changes then
follows each section.
Continues on page 13
OT BILL BeCOMeS LAW
Governor signs on August 17
Volume 22
Number 3
Fall 2011
2
For most students and
professors, September signals
the start of the school year
and the easing back into our
educational routines. Not so
for the Touro Occupational
Therapy Program. Their
unique semester design has
them working on research
projects while most students
are sunning themselves
on the beach. The result of this
hard work is the annual Touro
Occupational Therapy Research
Forum, held in early September.
Ten groups of students collaborated
on research topics ranging from
Touro College OTA Alumni
Research Consumption to
Volunteer Leadership in State
Associations to Diabetic
Risk Factors in the Orthodox
Community. The research projects
are under the direction of the faculty,
and are continued from year to year
by the faculty advisors. Each year, the
students select an ongoing project
that interests them. They conduct
research for two years and at the
forum present the results, which
build on previous students results.
The quality of the presentations is
excellent, and observers can see the
time and effort that went into both
the posters and the research
presentations. All students
have an opportunity to speak
at the forum, and all rose to
the occasion and presented
their information eloquently.
This year, the NYSOTA
president was invited to
deliver an address to the
students and faculty, an
address that focused on being
involved in your state professional
association. The address outlined not
only the do of joining your state
associations, but also the why.
The evening provided an opportunity
for wonderful professional
development, the building of new
relationships and an opportunity to
highlight the efforts of these students.
The Bylaws, Policies, and
Procedures Committee (BPPC)
is asking all interested AOTA
members to review the current
Bylaws and send proposed
changes by December 9, 2011
to ra@aota.org. Amendments/
revisions will be reviewed and
prepared by BPPC in January
2012 and sent to the Board of
Directors for input. The draft
2012 Bylaws will then be posted
on the AOTA website,
www.aota.org for review by
the membership prior to
consideration at the 2012
Representative Assembly (RA)
and the Annual Business Meeting
at AOTAs annual conference in
Indianapolis.
A copy of the current Bylaws
is posted on the AOTA Web
site at www.aota.org/Governance.
aspx Get Involved!> Reference
Documents. If you would like to
receive an electronic version of
the Bylaws to review, please e-mail
Debbie Hippchen at ra@aota.org.
All proposed revisions should
be made using the track changes
feature in Microsoft Word.
The BPPC encourages member
participation in the Bylaws review
process and is available to answer
any questions or concerns at the
above email address.
AOTA NeedS YOuR heLP!
CALL FOR BYLAWS AMeNdMeNTS
NYSOTA PReSIdeNT PARTICIPATeS IN
TOuRO COLLeGe ReSeARCh FORuM
NYSOTA News 3
CAPITAL dISTRICT
ON The MOVe
Capital District is looking
for local facilities to host our
monthly meetings. If your
hospital, center or clinic is
willing to host an evening
meeting, please contact
Tammy Boire, Capital District
Chairperson at 518-747-0307 or
email her at capital@nysota.org.
Our own NYSOTA HTD Chairperson Peter
Kennelty, a Certified Occupational Therapy
Assistant at Elant at Fishkill volunteered for
Extreme Makeover Home Edition recently
held in Bloomingburg, NY.
Pete signed up to volunteer and spent a long
shift from 12 midnight till 6am. His tasks
ranged from assisting the skilled workers to
ensuring they had the proper hydration and
things they needed to do their jobs.

We, the non-skilled workers, started to
remove from the building area and into large
dumpsters all the scrap and waste consisting
of lumber, insulation, drywall, tarp, plastic
sheeting and anything that didnt belong,
said Pete. Pushing a broom was not out of
our realm of work, either. I did have a brief
moment in the dining tent helping to set up
the food warmers and may I add that they
served a great breakfasteverything that you
could ask for. I hustled as much as the rest
and as the morning went on, I found that
my breaks also needed to be
a little longer than the rest.
Oh, to be 20 years younger
again!
Pete would like to thank Brendan Gould,
currently enrolled in the SUNY-Orange
OTA program, who also worked the early
Tuesday morning shift and the other HTD
members for participating in this great
charitable event.
The Hudson-Taconic District also made
a $500 donation to the Community
Foundation of Orange and Sullivan for the
Korpai Family.

Pete is a very special person and therapist,
he has a keen sense of how to help so many
individuals at so many levels and we are
fortunate that he is part of our district. The
staff at Elant at Fishkill are also proud to
work with someone like Pete, such a fine
person and great clinician.
Air date for Extreme Makeover Home
Edition 907, The Korpai family in
Bloomingburg, NY is October 16, 2011.
hTd & exTReMe MAkeOVeR, hOMe edITION
2011 LOW VISION
TeChNOLOGY
FAIRS
The third annual Low
Vision Technology Fairs are
informational opportunities to
showcase the latest in low vision
technologies and to provide
resources for those with visual
impairment as well as family,
friends, educators and caregivers.

ALBANY, NY
October 19 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Beltrone Living Center
Six Winners Circle, Albany

KINGSTON, NY
October 20 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Kingston Holiday Inn
503 Washington Ave, Kingston
For more information,
contact Cheryl Lawyer at
(518) 463-1211 x234
or via email at
clawyer@naba-vision.org.
Volume 22
Number 3
Fall 2011
4

OTA's/COTA's
Part-time and Full-time opportunities
available in Early Intervention and Preschool
Contacts:
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM (New York City)
T 212.564.2350 OdettePompey@theracare.com

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Bronx & Manhattan
T 718.597.5558 / 212.564.2350
JohnRamirez@theracare.com
Brooklyn & Queens
T 718.625.4055 / 718.830.9274
GabrielleGotlib@theracare.com
Staten Island
T 718.477.0961 / 888.311.2611
ClaudiaManriquez@theracare.com
Nassau & Suffolk, NY
T 718.625.4055 GenaidaSanchez@theracare.com
Westchester, NY (EI & Preschool)
T 914.576.5292 JohannadelaCruz@theracare.com
Connecticut
T 888.355.3255 PierreAttaud@theracare.com
New Jersey
T 888.311.2611 BarbaraCary@theracare.com
BethSulzberg@theracare.com
Celebrating 20 years
of making children and families
our 1
st
priority
ATTENTION GRADUATING OTs!!!
TheraCare is offering a
C CO OM MP PL LE ET TE E P PE ED DI IA AT TR RI IC C P PR RI IM ME ER R
to newly licensed therapists
Supervision by a licensed OT
supervisor
Full-time 24-month program
Competitive pay, excellent
benefits, 401K & employee stock
option
Gain experience needed to qualify
as an Independent Contractor for
the Early Intervention Program.
www.theracare.com
On September 14, 2011 the Mental
Health Taskforce of MNYD
celebrated its 15th anniversary. To
mark the occasion Margaret (Peggy)
Swarbrick, PhD, OTR, CPRP,
Director of the Collaborative
Support Programs of New Jersey
- Institute for Wellness and
Recovery Initiatives, and Assistant
Professor in the Psychiatric
Rehabilitation and Counseling
Professions Program at University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey - School of Health Related
Professions spoke to the group.
Her presentation focused on
Wellness emphasizing SAMHSAs
10 x 10 Campaign which she
spearheaded. We encourage
everyone to look at the campaign
materials, take the Wellness pledge
and add your OT wellness program
to the SAMHSA data base.
www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.
gov/10by10/default.aspx
Following the presentation, the
group networked to keep ourselves
abreast of the local mental health
issues such as an inpatient closing
at Payne-Whitney and a FEGS
PROS. Members were urged to
register on the AOTA COOL site
and volunteer on a national level.
www.aota.org/News/Announcements/
COOL.aspx
We plan to continue to meet
and host other prominent local
leaders in behavioral health/
Recovery movement to continue
to maintaining and expanding our
roles in mental health. We all draw
strength from the group and were
happy to see both students and
new practitioners at the meeting.
The Mental Health Taskforce
thanks all of our members, past,
present and virtual for making us a
powerhouse.
MNYd MeNTAL heALTh
TASkFORCe
The NYSOTA membership renewal grace period
offcially ended on September 1, 2011. The only way
to ensure that your friends and colleagues continue
to receive all the benefts of NYSOTA membership is
for them to renew. Refer fve friends and receive an
attractive jelly band uSB bracelet!
For more information check out our website at
www.NYSOTA.org or contact info@nysota.org or
membership@nysota.org.
FRIENDS DONT LET THEIR
FRIENDS NYSOTA MEMBERSHIP LAPSE!
NYSOTA News 5
SeNSORY FRIeNdLY TIMe
AT MoST IN SYRACuSe
Over 100 families recently
participated in a Sensory
Friendly Time at the MoST, the
Milton J. Rubinstein Museum
of Science & Technology, in
Syracuse.
Sensory Friendly Time is the
result of the collaborative efforts
of the staff at the MoST, the
CNY SPD Parent Connections
(a support group for parents
who have children with Sensory
Processing Disorder) and
Occupational Therapists from
Thrive By 5.
It all began when the MoST,
was contacted by a parent who
explained that the MoST was too
difficult for her sensory sensitive
child to visit. Taking this to
heart, the MoST contacted the
CNY SPD Parent Connections
who then contacted Thrive By
5, a pediatric therapy agency
in Central New York. As the
three agencies began meeting, it
became evident that this childs
difficulty was not unique. Many
children have difficulties when
visiting this wonderful childrens
museum and play area. The
MoST is filled with fun things
for kids to explore, yet often
it can be a very overwhelming
experience, especially for those
children who have a Sensory
Processing Disorder.
Occupational Therapists from
Thrive By 5 went through
the MoST several times and
consulted with the MoST staff
as to which exhibits and devices
needed to be turned off (e.g. a
waterfall, an air compressor,
etc.), turned down (e.g.
several of the videos which
play constantly), and
rerouted (e.g. the entry into
the exhibits) to make the
museum more sensory
friendly. In addition, the
planetarium show time
was shortened. On the day
of the event Thrive By 5
Occupational Therapists
and MoST staff were
strategically located throughout
the museum to answer questions,
assist wherever needed, and
to warn families when they
approached a motion activated
exhibit.
By all reports the Sensory
Friendly Time was a
terrific success. Kiddos who
previously might have left the
museum because they became
overwhelmed not only stayed,
but explored the exhibits with
joy and enthusiasm with their
parents. Sensory Friendly Time
is now a monthly event at the
MoST.
A special thanks for their efforts
is given to Betty Jones and her
staff at the MoST as well as
Michelle Hawthorne and Caryn
Daher, co-chairs for the CNY
SPD Parent Connections support
group. Additional appreciation
is given to Laura Lang, Brynn
Steele, and Gina Salvatore,
Occupational Therapists from
Thrive By 5 as well as Hibet
Melgoza, Occupational Therapy
Student from Utica College.
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Special Education
Speech Therapy
Feeding Therapy
Oral Motor Therapy
Articulation
Language
Fluency
NYS approved for preschool and
school age services.
Private therapy available.
FREE initial consultations.
Call our office today at
845.651.2251 or visit
www.dynamictherapy.org
Join the Dynamic Team.
Dynamic Center is always looking for
qualified therapists.
Call us to find out what we can offer.
1751 Route 17A (Remee Plaza) Florida, NY 10921

Specialists in Early Childhood

Development and Interventions
Volume 22
Number 3
Fall 2011
6
You see your
clients potential.
At Quinnipiac Online,
we see yours!
The Quinnipiac University
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
program offers an unprecedented opportunity for
practicing occupational therapists to continue their
education without interrupting their careers.
Stop by our booth to learn more about the advantages
of our online degree program.
Please visit us online or call:
quinnipiac.edu/quonline
877.403.4277
A Trusted Learning Source Since 2001
by Beverly P. Horowitz, PhD, OTR/L
On April 25, 2011, in keeping
with Occupational Therapy
Month, York Colleges
Occupational Therapy Student
Organization (YSOTA) provided
an educational program at the
Townhouse Rehabilitation
Center in Uniondale, New York
on occupational therapy practice
and education.
Sharon Faust, MS, OTR/L,
faculty advisor to YSOTA,
received a request from the
Center for a program about
occupational therapy. The
Student Organization developed
an informational session
to respond to this request.
Students Michael Puryear,
Jennifer Obijuru, Mcarthur
Damis, and Kimberly Kuhn
(class of 2011) visited the center,
provided literature about
occupational therapy practice,
and spoke with professional and
non-professional staff about the
profession, occupational therapy
education, and the high demand
for occupational therapy
practitioners across practice
settings.
Given the population served
by this center, they highlighted
occupational therapy geriatric
rehabilitation practice, as well as
community practice to address
health promotion, wellness,
fall prevention, dementia care
and caregiver education and
training.
The afternoon ended with one
physician stopping by to get
information about occupational
therapy as a career choice for
his daughter. Occupational
therapy is a twenty-first century
hot career and York College
occupational therapy students
are spreading the word.
YORk COLLeGe-CuNY STudeNTS
SPReAd The WORd ABOuT OT
CAPITAL dISTRICT ReACheS OuT
TO NORTheRN COLLeAGueS
NYSOTA Capital District
hosted yet another Northern
Workshop. The Low Vision-
Function for All Ages
workshop was held in Malone
and was well received by
the eight local therapist in
attendance: Eileen Dashnaw,
Barbara Gachowski, Becky
Larson, Jessica Murray, Lisa
Tebo, Beth Randall, Yvonne
Turner and Elaine Rubal.
Many thanks to Beth Randall
for booking the conference
room at the Northern Franklin
Educational Center. Our
presenter Mrs. Julie Ann
Nastasi, OTD, OTR/L, SCLV
provided us with an engaging
and hands-on low vision
experience.
NYSOTA News 7
MeLISSA WheLAN (CALLAhAN)
MS, OTR/L, IMC
President
I became an OT
by lucky accident,
after deciding not to
pursue a career in
medicine and being
injured too badly to
continue a career in
the military. I have
been practicing OT
in New York City
Early Intervention since 1996 and in
suburban NYC area schools since 2000.
Prior to starting in peds, I worked in head
injury and community re-integration.
Currently, I focus my practice on
supervising the OTA, providing
professional development, program
development and the specialty practice
areas of feeding and SI.
Recently married, I find that I now must
balance my work and my home life. I have
recently attained some success in balance
and in taking a step back through my
participation in the Strategic Coaching
program for entrepreneurs; which helps
with goal setting, and time allocation.
I am an avid cyclist and runner, and
although not particularly talented in
either, I enjoy them immensely. I also
enjoy reading and writing, snowboarding,
snowshoeing and yoga.
I come to the presidency of NYSOTA
with hope, vigor and a healthy amount
of trepidation. Having been a district
chairperson, I understand the challenges
faced by our local affiliates. I hope to
move the organization forward, to provide
some level of operational stability, to
improve business practices and to develop
leaders. I look forward to working with
everyone on the EB and to recruiting new
members and volunteers.
JOAN WhITeSeLL, OTR/L
Vice President
I received my BS
in Occupational
Therapy from Boston
University, have
worked primarily in
physical disabilities
and pediatrics/
administration over
the years and most
recently have enjoyed
a return to direct treatment at Northern
Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY as
inpatient and outpatient staff therapist.
I have been active at a state level since
I started working in both ConnOTA
originally and NYSOTA since I moved to
NY in the 80s. In both cases, a member
who was already involved invited me to
participate, and it has been one of my
best decisions. I have served as HTD
District Chairperson, Secretary and now
Vice President for NYSOTA and have
been active on four State Conference
Committees.
I have found that occupational therapists
are among the most dynamic people I
know and that being active in NYSOTA
has been one of the most tremendous
learning experiences ever. On a personal
note, I am married and have 3 grown
children and live in Staatsburg, NY.
LAuRA WATSON, OTR/L
Treasurer
Laura is a graduate
of Northeast
Louisiana University
OT program and
Mercy College PT
program. She is
supervisor of out-
patient services at
Northern Dutchess
Hospital in
Rhinebeck. She lives with her husband
on their small farm in Gardiner, NY,
they have a son in college.
FRANCINe SeRuYA, OTR/L
Secretary
Dr. Francine
Seruya has been
an occupational
therapist for the
past 16 years. She
has worked in a
variety of pediatric
settings including
Early Intervention,
School Based and
Rehabilitation based settings.
She recently completed her PhD
at New York University where she
explored how practice setting influences
the professional and organizational
commitment in pediatric therapists. She
is excited about being on the Executive
Board to move NYSOTA forward as a
positive voice for occupational therapists
and occupational therapy assistants in
New York State.
MeeT YOuR NYSOTA BOARd!
Volume 22
Number 3
Fall 2011
8
PAuL dIMIeRO, OTR/L
Rochester district Co-Chair
I am a 1978 gradutae from SUNY at
Buffalo. I have worked mainly in school-
based OT at Genesee Valley BOCES.
About 10 years ago, I attended a question
and answer session for OTs in Rochester.
At that meeting, a NYSOTA Rochester
friend asked me if I wanted to be a Vice-
Chairperson. She said it was really easy
and I basically just had to take care of
coffee and goodies for the meeting. Well,
I soon discovered that it was a little more
than that.
Since that time, NYSOTA Rochester has
undergone several changes in leadership
and I have now found myself as Co-
Chair, along with Anna Bowne. I have
learned over the years that your NYSOTA
district is as strong or weak as the board
and members want it to be. I have also
learned that there is strength in numbers.
I welcome and challenge all OTs in
our Rochester District to be strong in
numbers and thus, strong in quality.
TRICIA NIChOLeS, MS, OTR/L
Long Island district Chair
Tricia graduated from New York
Institute of Technology (NYIT) and is
currently pursuing a doctoral degree at
Nova Southeastern University. Tricia is
currently a faculty member and Academic
Fieldwork Coordinator at NYIT for the
Occupational Therapy Program.
Tricia has eight years of clinical
occupational therapy experience with
children in both early intervention and
school settings. Initial clinical experience
includes adults rehab in both acute and
sub-acute physical disability settings.
Tricia has been an active part of the Long
Island District for many years and began
to serve on the LID EB in 2005. Tricia
currently serves as the Treasurer for the
Metropolitan Occupational Therapy
Education Council.
While the hours are dwindling, in her
spare time, Tricia serves the community
as a volunteer Emergency Medical
Technician in the local fire department.
PeTeR keNNeLTY, COTA
hudson-Taconic district Chair
I have been a COTA for 17 years and
am a graduate of the SUNY-Orange
OTA Program. I have been a member
of AOTA and NYSOTA for 17+ years,
joining while still an OTAS. As a
NYSOTA EB member, I also serve on
the Leadership Committee, the newly
formed Conference Committee and have
taken part in NYSOT-PAC. I have been
the Hudson-Taconic Chair for the past
two years and was re-elected to a second
term. I had been the COTA Liaison for
the Hudson-Taconic District the four
years prior to serving as Chair. I have
co-chaired the 2008 Regional COTA
Conference and participated in the prior
NYSOTA Conference hosted by HTD
and participated in the prior COTA
conference. I am currently the co-chair
of the Vendor Committee for the 2011
NYSOTA Conference.
Currently, I am working at Elant at
Fishkill in short-term rehab, involved
in our home care program, and was
involved in our out-pt clinic. I have been
an independent contractor working
in Westchester but have also covered
assignments in the Bronx and Manhattan.
I was a traveling therapist for four years
working in Texas (2.5 years), West Virginia
(1 year in the Charleston Area Medical
Center) and Connecticut (6 months).
During that time, I worked in short/long-
term rehab in various nursing facilities
and while at Charleston Area Medical
Center, I worked in the TCU department
and occasionally in the ACU department.
I have 10 years experience working with
the MR adult population as part of the
direct care staff while attending college
and later as a COTA.
I take great pride in my profession
and feel strongly that everyone needs
to take a greater role in strengthening
the profession of occupational therapy
by running for offices that are vacant,
attending Lobby Day to talk our legislators
and inform them of the great job we do
and how we protect and look out for the
interest of those people we serve and to
volunteer our services where we can for
good causes and to show others that we
are a caring profession.
MARY WALSh, MS, ORT/L
Westchester/Rockland district
I have been an OT for over 12 years
and have worked in a variety of practice
areas. I began my career as an OT in
the New York City public school system
working with children and young adults
with developmental disabilities. I later
transitioned to working with adults in
inpatient, outpatient and community
based rehabilitation settings.
I now work in an outpatient program with
Veterans who have experienced traumatic
brain injuries as well as with older adults
on an inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit.
I am also a licensed massage therapist and
shiatsu practitioner. My clinical interests
include integrative health and wellness,
sensory modulation and processing and
assistive technology. My personal interests
include traveling, music, cooking, and
yoga. I love learning new things.
Though it is easier said than done, I
feel that we as OT practitioners need to
take care of ourselves both personally
and professionally in order to provide
quality care and service to others. I look
forward to collaborating with Westchester
and Rockland OTs in order to organize
and energize our district and support
NYSOTA.
BOB TRAPANI, MA, OTR/L
Central district Chair
Bob has an MA
in Occupational
Therapy from New
York University. He
is certified in the
SIPT and Infant
Massage and is a
Solisten Qualified
Licensee. He is in
the process of receiving his certification in
DIR/floortime.
Bob is the owner of Thrive By 5, PLLC
which provides Early Intervention and
Preschool services throughout Central
New York. He has been married for 28
years to his wife Julie. They have three
adult children Joe, Gina and Nick. Gina is
in the air force and currently deployed to
Afghanistan.
NYSOTA News 9
TAMMY BOIRe, OTR/L
Continuing education Chair
Capital district Chair
Theresa Anna Marie
{TAM} Boire; better
know as Tammy,
has been practicing
Occupational
Therapy since 1992
first as an COTA
with Gaylord
Rehabilitation
Hospital in
Wallingford, Connecticut. Here she
was given the opportunity to continue
her OT journey and attend Dominican
College to become a registered OT. After
graduating in 1998, she transitioned from
a rehabilitation setting to pediatric/public
school setting.
She currently resides in Upstate New
York and works for the South Glens
Falls Central School District. When
asked about her family she often reports
having 50 kids (of course all from school).
She and her husband enjoy gardening,
building their camp in Long Lake and
advocating for families and kids, that
they live the best life they can, given as
many tools as they need.
Dedicated to professional growth, Tammy
is currently very active with NYSUT
(New York State United Teachers) and
many other local groups SALT (Southern
Adirondack League of Teacher), SGFFA
(South Glens Falls Faculty Association).
She runs an OT/PT study group in the
local Glens Falls area and assists a local
parent by running a parent support group
hosted by the Ballard Elementary Home
School Association.
Her current positions with NYSOTA
include Capital District Chairperson and
Continuing Education Chairperson. As
Capital District Chairperson, Tammy
is dedicated to reaching out to all 16
districts from Greene to St. Lawrence
Counties. Northern NYSOTA workshops
have become Tammys brain-child, events
are held annually in the northern part
of the state. Advocating for OTs is her
passion.
GLORIA LuCkeR
MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, BCP
Newsletter editor
As most
NYSOTA folks
know, I have
been active in
NYSOTA for
many years.
As a student
at NYU, membership was mandatory,
and I enjoyed getting to know the OTs
in New York. I have maintained active
membership in NYSOTA since then and
am a charter member of NFD. I work full
time as a school-based OT and also serve
as President of OTAS, our family owned
private practice. Its a joy to work with
daughter Ellen, the OT, and son David,
the PT. I enjoy traveling and presenting
seminars on RtI and school-based OT.
dAVId M. MeRLO
MS, COTA, CPRP
Web Content Coordinator
David Merlo
has built a
satisfying career
as an educator,
practitioner, and
leader, based on
the foundations of
his education as
an occupational
therapy assistant. For 17 years he
has taught within the Occupational
Therapy Assistant Program at Erie
Community College in Buffalo, NY. He
has consistently enriched the program
curriculum to reflect developments
in technology, workforce, society,
evidence-based practice, best teaching/
learning practices, all while propelled
by the American Occupational Therapy
Association.
David represents occupational therapy in
the community; serving as board director
of Restoration Society, Inc., a person-
centered, occupation-based community
mental health agency in Buffalo. He
serves on committees and boards, locally
and nationally, representing occupational
therapy and mental health to consumers,
other disciplines, and organizations
including New York State Occupational
Therapy Association, Niagara Frontier
District of NYSOTA, American
Occupational Therapy Association,
United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Association and the Consortium of
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators.
He has pursued advanced studies
in assistive technology, psychiatric
rehabilitation, and adult education, and
has consistently shared what he has
learned by presenting at conferences,
meetings, OTconnections, as well as
teaching in the classroom.
CLAIRe RIChARdSON
OTR/L, OTd
Public Relations & Marketing
Coordinator
I originally hail from N. Ireland, but have
been living and working in NY since,
and have been a member of NYSOTA
for the past five years. Throughout my
time here I have worked for St. Lawrence
NYSARC, a nonprofit organization
working with adults and children with
developmental disabilities. I also have
a passion for the use of therapy dogs
within the therapy process, and have
been including this in the therapeutic
process for the last year.
The PR position has been a huge
challenge, but great fun, being able
to learn skills that fall outside of my
regular practice setting. I have found
involvement in NYSOTA to be a hugely
beneficial experience, and an enriching
process through which I have made
many new friends, networked with other
therapists outside of my regular area
and gained many new professional and
personal skills and experiences, and
I would encourage anyone interested
in involvement on a volunteer level to
explore their options more closely.
Volume 22
Number 3
Fall 2011
10
CARYN ShORe
Membership Outreach Coordinator
I am currently a member of the 2011
graduating class at SUNY Downstates
graduate program for Occupational
Therapy. I returned to pursue this course
of study after spending nearly a decade
employed as a certified personal trainer
and group exercise instructor at such
popular gyms as Lucille Roberts and New
York Sports Clubs, as well as the Director
of Adult Fitness at the YM-YWHA of
Greater Clifton in New Jersey. In 2009,
I relocated to Brooklyn. Later that year I
was elected as the student representative
of the SUNY Downstate OT Club to the
Metropolitan New York Districts board.
In response to my regular attendance and
participation to board meetings and district
events, I was selected to be the Student
Liaison for MNYD in January of 2010.
I was also a member of the Hospitality
Committee for the Annual Conference,
hosted by the Metropolitan New York
District in November of 2010, as well as
the Committee head for the first Annual
Student Mixer, an event that I strongly
advocated for. I was elected to the board as
a voting member this summer.
Most recently, the new NYSOTA President,
Melissa Whelan, appointed me
to the position of Membership
Outreach Coordinator on the
executive board. This was a
position that I readily accepted
in order to expand my role as
Student Liaison to educate every
occupational therapy program in
New York State about discounts
on student membership, the Pay-
It-Forward program, availability
of the Student Representative
position, as well as increase
current and potential member
awareness of upcoming events
and membership benefits,
including the annual conference.
I look forward to continuing my
active participation in MNYDs
activities, not to mention my
newfound responsibilities to the
State!
JeFFReY TOMLINSON
OTR, MSW, FAOTA
Legislative & Government Relations
Coordinator
Jeff is a graduate
of the SUNY
Downstate OT
program and the
CUNY Hunter
social work
program. He
works in an adult
mental health day
program, adult
home care and as adjunct faculty at NYU
and Columbia University.
Jeff is the Legislative & Government
Relations Coordinator and has worked
with NYSOTA to amend the insurance
law to improve coverage of OT, and the
education law to update the OT practice
act.
Jeff has received the Abreu Award from
MNYD, the Lindy Boggs Award for
political advocacy and the Terry Brittell
OT/OTA Partnership Award from
AOTA. Jeff is also a Fellow of the AOTA.
www.zaner-bloser.com 800.421.3018
*In 2011...and while supplies last 2012
Kate Carey
NY Zaner-Bloser Representative
kate.carey@zaner-bloser.com
315.383.7520
800.248.2568 ext. 2599
E
V
E
R
Y
O
N
E
R
e
c
e
i
v
e
s
$
2
5
G
ift C
e
rtific
a
te
!
...s
e
e
b
e
lo
w
...
0188
Youre invited to join your Peers!
100% of my current districts paid LESS by partnering with me.
https://ZBNewYork.questionpro.com
Just register for COMPLIMENTARY...
$25 Gift Certificate (to be applied to any order over $250) *
Tickets to Interactive Workshop: The Art and Science of Handwriting *
Curricula samples: RTI, ELA, Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar, Writing*
Curriculum leaders Occupational Therapists
Special Educators Early Childhood Educators
Kate Carey post cards2.indd 2 10/03/2011 10:03:14 AM
Willing to volunteer to help create a
stronger NYSOTA?
Want to develop skills that can take
your career to the next level?
Contact NYSOTAs
VOLuNTeeR NeTWORk at
volunteers@nysota.org!
NYSOTA News 11
The Hudson-Taconic District invites you to explore
in a plethora of
WORKSHOPS POSTER SESSIONS SPECIAL EVENTS
64 Exhibit Booths Musical & Colorful Presidents Reception
Silent & Noisy Auctions Alumni Gatherings Student Mixer
Annual Business Farm-to-Table Luncheon Feast
Celebrate Passage of the OT Practice ACT
SUNY Orange Middletown, NY
October 22 & 23
The Many Colors of Occupational Therapy
NYSOTA 2011 Annual Conference
2011 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Lauren Manning
On September 11, 2001, my life was changed forever.
UNMEASURED STRENGTH
is my story of survival and transformation.
Perhaps no injury offers more of an opportunity to remake
yourself than one that literally consumes you. I went to work on
September 11, 2001 and met a wall of fire that burnd me over 80%
of my body. I defied single digit odds to stay alive, yet my return
home more than half a year later was just the beginning.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share my story
in the hope it will continue to resonate with people
facing challenges in their own lives."
Photographer, Deborah Feingold
PLENARY ADDRESS: Jim Hinojosa
Recipient of AOTAs Highest Honors:
Award of Merit & Eleanor Clark Slagle Lecture
Evidence-based Occupational Therapy: Cult, Fad, or Relevant?
In addition to over 150 articles and chapters in books,
Jim has co-edited
Perspectives in Human Occupation: Participation in Life
Frames of Reference in Pediatric Occupational Therapy,
The Texture of Life: Purposeful Activities in the Context of
Occupation
Occupational Therapy Evaluation: Obtaining and Interpreting Data
Photographer Brady Galan
Visit www.NYSOTA.org (Conference Page)
for Complete Program and Registration Information
OT BILL BeCOMeS LAW
continued from page 2
S 7901. Defnition. The
practice of the profession
of occupational therapy is
defned as the functional
evaluation of the client [],
the planning and utilization
of a program of purposeful
activities [], THE DEVELOPMENT
AND UTILIZATION OF A TREATMENT
PROGRAM, AND/OR CONSULTATION
WITH THE CLIENT, FAMILY,
CAREGIVER OR ORGANIZATION IN
ORDER TO RESTORE, develop or
maintain adaptive skills,
AND/OR PERFORMANCE ABILITIES
designed to achieve maximal
physical, COGNITIVE and mental
functioning of the [] CLIENT
ASSOCIATED WITH his or her
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING
AND daily life tasks. [] A
treatment program DESIGNED TO
RESTORE FUNCTION, shall be
rendered on the prescription
or referral of a physician
[], nurse practitioner OR
OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
ACTING WITHIN HIS OR HER
SCOPE OF PRACTICE PURSUANT
TO THIS TITLE. However,
nothing contained in this
article shall be construed
to permit any licensee
hereunder to practice medicine
or psychology, including
psychotherapy OR TO OTHERWISE
EXPAND SUCH LICENSEES SCOPE
OF PRACTICE BEYOND WHAT IS
AUTHORIZED BY THIS CHAPTER.
The amendments to the sentence
regarding the practice of the
profession of occupational therapy
added consultation with the client,
family, caregiver or organization...
in order to clarify in statute that
occupational therapy practice is not
limited to hands-on services, but
also includes verbal consultations.
The term cognitive was added to
clarify that occupational therapy
practice includes cognitive
rehabilitation that is related to daily
life tasks.
The term client replaces the term
patient to reflect the fact that
occupational therapy includes practice
outside of medical settings, including
school settings.
The statutory requirements for a
prescription or referral are amended
to limit that requirement to a
treatment program designed to
restore function. This means that the
occupational therapy practice act does
not require a prescription or referral
for occupational therapy services
that are designed to be maintenance,
habilitation or prevention and
wellness. This does not supersede
other statutes, regulations or policies
that may require a prescription. For
example, an insurance company may
still require a prescription en lieu of
coverage and reimbursement.
The statutory requirements for a
prescription or referral are amended
to add other health care providers
who have the authority to write
prescriptions. These providers may
now prescribe or refer to occupational
therapy. At present, this would include
optometrists, dentists and podiatrists.
S 7903. State board for
occupational therapy. A
state board for occupational
therapy shall be appointed
by the board of regents on
the recommendation of the
commissioner for the purpose
of assisting the board of
regents and the department
NYSOTA News 13
on matters of professional
licensing and professional
conduct in accordance with
section sixty-fve hundred
eight of this title. The
board shall be composed of
not less than seven licensed
occupational therapists, []
one physician [],
AND TWO MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC WHO ARE
NOT LICENSED UNDER
THIS TITLE. An
executive secretary
to the board shall
be appointed by the
board of regents on
recommendation of
the commissioner.
The state board
composition will be
changed to remove
the requirement for a
hospital administrator.
The new requirements
add two public
members who are not
licensed professionals.
S 7905. Limited
permits. Permits
limited as to
eligibility,
practice, and
duration, shall
be issued by
the department
to eligible
applicants, as
follows:
(1) The following
persons shall be
eligible for a
limited permit:
(a) An
occupational
therapist who has
graduated from
an occupational
therapy
curriculum with
a baccalaureate
degree or
certifcate in
occupational
therapy which
is substantially equivalent
to a baccalaureate degree
satisfactory to the board
of occupational therapy
and in accordance with the
commissioners regulations; or
(b) A foreign occupational
therapist who is in this
country on a non-immigration
visa for the continuation of
occupational therapy study,
pursuant to the exchange
student program of the United
States Department of State.

(2) A LIMITED permittee shall
be authorized to practice
occupational therapy only
under the DIRECT supervision
of a licensed occupational
therapist or a licensed
physician and shall practice
only in a public, voluntary,
or proprietary hospital,
health care agency or in a
preschool or an elementary
or secondary school for
the purpose of providing
occupational therapy as
a related service for a
handicapped child.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, SUPERVISION
OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A
LIMITED PERMIT TO PRACTICE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUED BY
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE DIRECT
SUPERVISION AS DEFINED BY THE
COMMISSIONERS REGULATIONS.
(3) A limited permit shall
be valid for one year. It may
be renewed once for a period
not to exceed one additional
year, at the discretion of
the department, upon the
submission of an explanation
satisfactory to the department
for an applicants failure to
become licensed within the
original one-year period. []
The limited permit section is amended
to allow someone who has failed the
licensing (NBCOT) exam to continue
to practice for a full year. At the same
time, the supervision requirements
Volume 22
Number 3
Fall 2011
14
have been strengthened to require
direct supervision. This requirement
will be further explained by
regulations promulgated by the State
Board for Occupational Therapy and
the Office of the Professions.
S 7906. Exempt persons. This
article shall not be construed
to affect or prevent the
following, provided that no
title, sign, card or device
shall be used in such manner
as to tend to convey the
impression that the person
rendering such service is
a licensed occupational
therapist:
(4) AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
ASSISTANT STUDENT FROM
ENGAGING IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION
OF AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
AS PART OF AN ACCREDITED
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
PROGRAM, AS DEFINED BY THE
COMMISSIONER AND IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE COMMISSIONERS
REGULATIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING
ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN
THIS SECTION, AN OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY ASSISTANT STUDENT
SHALL BE PERMITTED TO WORK
WITH AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
ASSISTANT, WHO HAS OBTAINED
AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT
TO SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF
THIS SECTION, UNDER THE
DIRECT SUPER VISION OF AN
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST.
[]
(7) OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
ASSISTANTS, AS DEFINED BY
THE COMMISSIONER, AUTHORIZED
BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND
UNDER THE DIRECTION AND
SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST OR
A LICENSED PHYSICIAN. IN
THE CASE OF THOSE WORKING
UNDER A LICENSED PHYSICIAN
SUCH EXEMPTION SHALL APPLY
ONLY IN A PUBLIC, VOLUNTARY
OR PROPRIETARY HOSPITAL OR
HEALTH OR HOME CARE AGENCY.
SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL
BE ISSUED TO INDIVIDUALS
WHO HAVE MET STANDARDS,
INCLUDING THOSE RELATING
TO EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE,
EXAMINATION AND CHARACTER, AS
PROMULGATED IN REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER. SUCH
AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO FULL DISCIPLINARY AND
REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF THE
BOARD OF REGENTS AND THE
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE,
AS IF SUCH AUTHORIZATION
WERE A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
THE APPLICATION FEE FOR
SUCH AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE
ESTABLISHED IN REGULATION
BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS.
EACH AUTHORIZED OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY ASSISTANT SHALL
REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT
EVERY THREE YEARS AND SHALL
PAY A REGISTRATION FEE
ESTABLISHED IN REGULATION BY
THE BOARD OF REGENTS.
Occupational therapy assistants
continue to be authorized to practice
under the exemption section of
the practice act. The new statutory
language allows the State Board
for Occupational Therapy and
the Office of the Professions to
develop regulations that define the
occupational therapy assistant. In
addition, the previous statutory
language required direct supervision.
The new statute requires direction
and supervision. This requirement
will be further explained by
regulations promulgated by the State
Board for Occupational Therapy and
the Office of the Professions. The new
language also allows the Office of the
Professions to require occupational
therapy assistants to pass a licensing
exam.
S 7907. Special conditions.
(1) A person who on the
effective date of this []
ARTICLE:
[] (A) submits evidence of
a minimum of three years
experience with training
satisfactory to the board
in occupational therapy
and in accordance with
the regulations of the
commissioner; or
[] (B) a baccalaureate
degree or its equivalent in
occupational therapy, shall
be licensed upon the fling
of an application with the
department [] within six
months of the effective date
of this [] ARTICLE.
(2) A PERSON WHO ON THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER
OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND
ELEVEN WHICH ADDED THIS
SUBDIVISION HAS A CURRENT
REGISTRATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT AS AN OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY ASSISTANT, IF SUCH
PERSON MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR AN AUTHORIZATION
ESTABLISHED WITHIN THIS
ARTICLE, EXCEPT FOR
EXAMINATION, THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL ISSUE AN AUTHORIZATION
WITHOUT EXAMINATION.
While the new language allows the
Office of the Professions to require
occupational therapy assistants to pass
a licensing exam, any occupational
therapy assistant who was authorized
to practice prior to the effective date of
this statute will be grandfathered in
so they may continue to practice.
NYSOTA is now in talks with the
state board for occupational therapy
regarding Commissioners Regulations
that would provide further guidance
on the new practice act.
NYSOTA News 15
NewYorkStateOccupational
TherapyAssociation
Inc.
NYSOTA
NYSOTA News
A publication of the
New York State Occupational
Therapy Association, Inc.
NYSOTA
119 Washington Ave
2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12210
P (518) 462-3717
F (518) 432-5902
info@nysota.org
www.nysota.org
NYSOTA Executive Officers
President
Melissa Whelan, MS, OTR/L, IMC
president@nysota.org
Vice President
Joan Whitesell, OTR/L
vicepresident@nysota.org
Secretary
Francine Seruya PhD, OTR/L
secretary@nysota.org
Treasurer
Laura Watson OTR/L
treasurer@nysota.org
NYSOTA News
Newsletter Editor
Gloria Lucker, MS, OTR/L,
FAOTA, BCP
news@nysota.org
Diane Long, OTR/L and
Occupational Therapy
Professor at Ithaca College has
created Trunks, a card game to
help children recall sequences.
As a clinician having worked
with children with learning
disabilities, physical disabilities
and cognitive impairments for
23 years, Long observed that
many of them have difficulty
remembering sequences.
Wanting to address this issue
through a play activity rather
than through school work was
Longs impetus behind Trunks.
Debuted at the April AOTA
Conference, Trunks requires
players to do actions and make
sounds in a sequence they
have to remember. On each
of the playing cards is a sound
accompanied by an action. As
a player makes the sound and
action they then turn the card
face down, the back of the
card being part of an elephans
trunk. The game is over when
a player has all four parts of the
trunk showing and is able to
remember all the sounds and
actions of the cards played, in
order.
Trunks incorporates various
levels of difficulty. Published
by Therapro, Trunks can be
purchased for $14.95 on
their website at www.therapro.
com/Trunks-The-Game-of-Motor-
Memory-P322117.aspx.
MeMBeR CReATeS TRuNkS CARd GAMe