NOTA BoardVoting Executive Board Positions President- Lindsay Tuxhorn, OTD, OTR/L Non-Voting Officers: Past President- Janel Meis, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
 President - Lindsay Tuxhorn, OTD, OTR/LContact: [email protected] Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: I work at Syracuse Area Health. I see inpatients and outpatients at our critical access hospital as well as serve the students at the Syracuse School. 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 current specialty is Orthopedics. Prior to that I was servicing the inpatient cardiology population. I love the flexibility, range of services and creativity of the OT profession.
My favorite leisure occupation is: traveling & resting
One random personal fact about me is: I have 7 siblings
 Vice President of Hands & Orthopedics - Lauren Erickson, OTR/LContact: [email protected] Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Phelps Memorial Therapy Center in Holdrege, NE
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Women's Health, Orthopedics, Vesibular & Neuro Rehab (Rural Health Care- you do it all!) My favorite leisure occupation is: Cooking & baking, spending time with my two kids The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: One random personal fact about me is: I have been skydiving over 10 times, including 2 free fall!
 Vice President of Mental Health & Wellness - Kylie Widhelm, OTD, OTR/LContact: [email protected] Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Creighton University and volunteer at a pro bono clinic at the Stephen Center, a homeless shelter and inpatient addiction recovery program in Omaha.
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: the joy in addressing every and any area of life for an individual and the passion of finding something meaningful for every individual. My favorite leisure occupation is: spending time camping and boating with my husband and three young girls The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: physical activity One random personal fact about me is: I have water skied 23 miles in the Lake of the Ozarks
 Vice President of Neurorehabilitation - Melissa Anderson, OTD, OTR/LContact: [email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: QLI 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
Vice President of Pediatrics - Emmilie Kosiba, MOT, OTR/L
Contact: [email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: My OT speciality or what I love about the OT profession is: My favorite leisure occupation is: The occupation I value the most from the OT Practice Framework is: One random personal fact about me is:
Contact: [email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Methodist College
My OT speciality or what I love about the OT profession is: Academia My favorite leisure occupation is: Hiking The occupation I value the most from the OT Practice Framework is: Education One random personal fact about me is: I broke 18 bones at one time and lived to tell about it!
Vice President of Rural Health & Community Services - Justin Young, OTD, OTR/L
Contact: [email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: My OT speciality or what I love about the OT profession is: My favorite leisure occupation is: The occupation I value the most from the OT Practice Framework is: One random personal fact about me is:
 Vice President of School Based Practices - Erin Westover, OTD, OTR/LContact: [email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: College of Saint Mary 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."
 Contact: [email protected]
Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: College of St. Mary, assistant professor in the OTD My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: When I was 15 years old, I had Guillain-Barrer Syndrome, where I had a lot of different therapies. Although all of them were so valuable, I connected instantly to my OT. When I understood what occupational therapists did, I was sold. healing through occupation was about the best thing that ever happened to me, and I never looked back. Here I am 27 years later, and I still find the same awe and respect in what occupational therapists do everyday; we do it all! My favorite leisure occupation is: biking, reading, hiking, and raising my beautiful 6 kids in our blended family The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: social and emotional health promotion and maintenance. Making choices to strive for quality of life! One random personal fact about me is: I was born in Mano River, Liberia, West Africa
 Secretary - Brooke Spence, OTR/LContact: [email protected]
Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: I work at Nebraska Methodist Hospital & Rehabilitation Center. My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: I see patients on the acute rehabilitation unit and acute care floors.
My favorite leisure occupation is: Playing pickleball, hiking, riding my bike around the lake, playing with my six-month-old goldendoodle, Dudley! The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: One random personal fact about me is: I recently played pickleball in the Cornhusker State games and won a medal in all three events, women’s doubles, women’s singles and mixed doubles. Contact me if you play pickleball!
 Contact: tre[email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Creighton University
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. Non-Voting NOTA Officers  Past President - Janel Meis, OTD, OTR/L, BCPWhere I work as an Occupational Therapist: Raytown Quality Schools 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)!
 Administrative Assistant - Kristin GzehoviakContact: [email protected]Kristin Gzehoviak has been the Administrative Assistant for NOTA since 2011. She and her husband Aaron reside in Omaha with their two children, Henry (11) & Greta (7), and their boxers, Bella & Hopper. Kristin is a full time office administrator and bookkeeper at Rejoice! Lutheran Church.
 Lobbyist - Julie EricksonJulie 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.
 AOTA RA Representative - Whitney Rubin, OTD, OTR/L Contact: [email protected]Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: 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.
 Contact: [email protected]
Where I work as an Occupational Therapist: Nebraska Methodist Hospital
My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: Physical rehabilitation- CVA/TBI, vision; pelvic floor/women’s health My favorite leisure occupation is: traveling and sports The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Health Management One random personal fact about me is:
Conference Chair 2 (Appointed) - Erin Reinhart, OTR/L, CBIS My OT specialty or what I love about the OT profession is: I work on an LTAC unit with medically complex patients and I am a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. I love that the OT profession is dynamic, creative, and innovative! My favorite leisure occupation is: Hanging out with my husband and 3 kids, traveling, going to concerts and listening to live music The occupation I value most from the OT Practice Framework is: Instrumental activities of daily living One random personal fact about me is: Between my side of the family and my husband’s, we have 17 nieces and nephews! |
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