NOTA BoardVoting Executive Board Positions President- Lindsay Tuxhorn, OTD, OTR/L Non-Voting Officers: Past President- Janel Meis, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: One of the things I really love about the OT profession is knowing I can make a fundamental difference in someone's life by helpingthem achieve their goals through meaningful occupations. It is truly amazing to see the joy on a patient or student's face when they are accomplish a task that may not have been possible before occupational therapy was involved. As occupational therapists, we each have a gift that we are able to use daily in our work. One random personal fact about me is: A random fact about myself is that St. Patrick's Day is my favorite non-major holiday.
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: So many things! I love that I am able to educate patients about OT's impact in their life and why meaningful occupations are the bread and butter of life. I love that occupational therapists are impacting change in so many different treatment settings from wound care to ergonomic evaluations to school classrooms and beyond! I love that OTs are passionate and creative, where there is will there is a way. The list goes on!
My favorite leisure occupation is: Movies and anything to do with being outdoors (bonfires, hunting, riding forewheelers, etc.) Contact: [email protected]
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is:
My favorite leisure occupation is: One random personal fact about me is:
Vice President of Hands & Orthopedics - Lauren Erickson, OTR/L Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Phelps Memorial Therapy Center in Holdrege, NE
Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Creighton University
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: Neuro & Telerehab My favorite leisure occupation is: Traveling! The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Social Participation One random personal fact about me is: I have sushi with my husband every Sunday
My OT speciality or what I love about the OT profession is: I work in inpatient Pediatrics as well as adult Complex Medical/Cancer Rehabilitation and as an Assistive Technology specialist. I love when my patients are able to return to doing a meaningful activity they were sure they couldn't and seeing joy on their faces with their accomplishment. My favorite leisure occupation is: Playing with my kids and organizing things. The occupation I value the most from the OT Practice Framework is: Play One random personal fact about me is: I grew up helping my dad work on cars and going to car shows in his mustang. I still love going to car shows with him now.
Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Methodist College
My OT speciality or what I love about the OT profession is: I primary work with adult and pediatric patient out-patients, however my day may include working with an in-patient, home health and/or nursing home patient. This is one thing that I love about working in rural health. Every day is so different from the last and I have been able to work with a new born baby to a 103 year old patient all in one day. What I love most about the OT profession is the ability to help someone make their life better than it was before they started therapy. This could be helping them through the recovery after a surgery, accident or life event. The end goal is always to get back to doing the things that matter to them. My favorite leisure occupation is: I enjoy spending time with my 3 boys and scrap booking the memories we have created. The occupation I value the most from the OT Practice Framework is: Play One random personal fact about me is: My husband and I are high school sweet hearts and have been married for 15 years. We have 3 boys ages 11, 8, and 3. My 11 year old beat leukemia when he was 2 and continues to inspire me to be a better person every day.
My OT speciality or what I love about the OT profession is: My love has always involved working with children and youth--that is what drew me to OT and I haven't deviated from that passion since! I've primarily worked in school-based settings, but also in outpatient pediatrics and home health. What I love about OT, especially when working with kiddos and their families is seeing the joy, confidence, and pride that comes from accomplishing a milestone related to occupational performance. Being a small part of making that happen is humbling and so rewarding. I work in academia now, but I still get to share my love of the littles through teaching our pediatric courses at CSM! My favorite leisure occupation is: Traveling or doing anything outside The occupational I value the most from the OT Practice Framework is: Leisure One random personal fact about me is: I have a 12-year-old black lab mix named Riley who I adopted during OT school. Her name was inspired by Mary Reilly, who spoke one of my favorite OT quotes in her 1961 Slagle lecture: "Man through the use of his hands, as they are energized by mind and will, can influence the state of his own health."
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: Experience working in many settings. Worked as Rehab Manager, Clinical Coordinator in SNF and worked in home health, as related to my VP position. My favorite leisure occupation is: Being outside! Watching my boys play outdoor sports, landscaping, biking, walking, boating, fishing! The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) One random personal fact about me is: I love to make up my own lyrics to popular songs to share a "message" with my boys.
Where I work as an Occupational Therapist:
My favorite leisure occupation is: Anytime I am not hanging with my family and friends, or working, I can be found in the Pilates studio. One random personal fact about me is: I have a 17 y/o son who has an amazing gift of singing who aspires to be a Broadway performer. We spend many hours running to and from rehearsals, lessons and watching him sing. We have even watched him on stage with Omaha Symphony. Here is a sample of his singing of Empty Chairs and Empty Tables from Les Miserables : https://youtu.be/c-ee0pYlimc
Non-Voting NOTA Officers
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: I love pediatrics with a focus on working with individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder and incorporating aquatic therapy treatment intervention. I just transitioned from outpatient to school-based practice so I am learning a lot! My favorite leisure occupation is: Tennis or Bike Riding The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Education One random personal fact about me is: I have drank glacier water off of an actual glacier (performing the necessary glacier push-up as well)!
Kristin Gzehoviak has been the Administrative Assistant for NOTA since 2011. She and her husband Aaron reside in Omaha with their two children, Henry (8) & Greta (5), and their boxer, Bauer.
Julie is managing partner of ACG, Inc., amassing 30 years of experience in legislative and administrative lobbying, organizational planning, fundraising and governmental communications. American Communications Group, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Rich Lombardi and Julie Erickson. Today, more than thirty years later, their team supports the efforts of local, state and national organizations to craft public policy. Utilizing skills in law, economics, media communications, their team provides clients with strategic plans for influencing public policy through coalition building, government relations and campaign consulting. To read more about American Communications Group, Inc. and Julie, check out their website.
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: My background is in pediatrics and advocacy. I truly enjoy being part of a profession that allows blending of passions in order to promote inclusion, diversity and independence. The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Social Participation One random personal fact about me is: I have a very vibrant 2 year old son who has a strong passion about trucks. His excitement and joy when seeing one reminds me to stop and appreciate the “surprises” in life.
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: Practice experience in school-based, early intervention and pediatric outpatient. Currently specialized clinical education with a focus on fieldwork, capstone and fellowship. My favorite leisure occupation is: Home decor projects The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) One random personal fact about me is: I have a beautiful 11 year old daughter who adores singing and dancing!
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: Physical Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Neuro, NICU My favorite leisure occupation is: Dancing The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) One random personal fact about me is: I used to be a ballerina and have danced six different roles in The Nutcracker ballet. |
President - Lindsay Tuxhorn, OTD, OTR/L
Vice President of Mental Health & Wellness - Andrea Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L
Vice President of Neurorehabilitation - Melissa Anderson, OTD, OTR/L
Vice President of Pediatrics - Abby Pauley, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS
Vice President of Policy - Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L
Vice President of Rural Health & Community Services - Amanda Hegy, OTD, OTR/L
Vice President of School Based Practices - Erin Westover, OTD, OTR/L
Vice President of Skilled Care, Long Term Care, & Home Health - Colleen Spellman, OTD, OTR/L
Secretary - Brooke Spence, OTR/L
Past President - Janel Meis, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Administrative Assistant - Kristin Gzehoviak
AOTA RA Representative - Whitney Rubin, OTD, OTR/L
Conference Chair 1 (Appointed) - Anna Domina, OTD, OTR/L
Conference Chair 2 (Appointed) - Miranda Little, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT BIG Certified
