2026 Session Descriptions
Student Center on EMU's Campus
900 Oakwood St.
Ypsilanti, MI
Parking at Pine Grove Lot at corner of Structure Dr. & Oakwood: Campus Map
REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST 8:00 - 8:45 AM
MORNING WORKSHOPS A 8:45-9:45 AM
Student Sponsored Session:
Your OT Degree Isn’t a Box: Expanding Your Impact Beyond Traditional Ways
Presenter: Morgan Staton, MOTR/L, FMACP
Description:
Occupational therapy education equips practitioners with a deep understanding of human behavior, habits, environment, and function, but these skills are not limited to traditional clinical roles. This session explores how OT training can be applied in non-traditional settings including but not limited to coaching, entrepreneurship, wellness, and business.
Through personal experience and practical examples, attendees will learn how to identify and articulate their transferable skills, think beyond conventional career paths whether the are a new OT or a seasoned OT looking for a change, and expand their impact in ways that align with their strengths, interests, and long-term goals.
Addressing Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health: A Model for Optimal Occupational Participation
Presenter: Michelle Suarez, PhD, OTR/L
Description:
Occupational therapists are increasingly called upon to address the complex mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs of children and families. Meaningful participation in everyday occupations plays a critical role in fostering resilience, promoting well-being, and supporting positive mental health outcomes across developmental stages. Children experiencing challenges with self-regulation, sensory processing, trauma, anxiety, or other behavioral health concerns often encounter barriers to successful engagement in home, school, community, and social environments, making occupational therapy interventions essential to improving participation and quality of life. This presentation will introduce an evidence-informed clinical model grounded in occupational therapy theory, current research, and trauma-responsive practice principles. Attendees will gain clinically relevant tools and techniques that can be immediately applied across pediatric practice settings.
Title: TBD
Presenters: TBD
Description: TBD
MORNING WORKSHOPS B 10:00-11:00 AM
Student Sponsored Session:
An introduction to Equine Assisted Services: What is Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy?
Presenter: Bonnie DePue OTRL HPCS CTRI-Adv
Description:
As individuals and families experience and explore alternative settings for services, whether inherently therapeutic in nature or specifically a treatment strategy by a therapist, it strengthens our professionalism to have some knowledge about these alternatives. Even more so to take the time to investigate these alternatives in your own area as you refer out to them. Those we serve as OT’s should be able to confidently pursue our recommendations for other services, trusting that we know what is being offered, at least from an introductory standpoint. This presentation serves to do just that. Let’s get a quick look at therapeutic riding and Hippotherapy and learn their impact and their differences.
Panel Discussion:
Documentation That Works: OT Notes for Practice and Communication
Presenters: Emma Gietek, Emma Gietek, OTR/L, BCP, TiYana King, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, & Linda Lilly, OTD, MOT,OTR/L
Description: This panel presentation, explores the critical role of documentation across diverse occupational therapy settings, including school-based practice, outpatient pediatrics, and hospital-based care. Framed within real-world clinical demands, the session highlights how effective documentation supports clinical reasoning, interprofessional communication, reimbursement, and client-centered care. Bring your curiosity and questions to this session!
A Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment for the Development of a Suicide Awareness for Healthcare Students Interprofessional Education Program
Presenter: Carolyn Ferrer, OTD, OTRL
Description: Suicide is a critical public health crisis, yet many healthcare students and practitioners—particularly in occupational therapy—report significant discomfort and a lack of preparedness in managing suicidal crises. This 60-minute workshop presents the findings of a mixed-methods needs assessment conducted with recent OT and Nursing alumni to identify gaps in collegiate training and barriers to clinical collaboration. Participants will explore the development of an Interprofessional Education (IPE) program designed to build self-efficacy and team-based intervention skills to address the challenging topic of suicide. Participants will learn about resources to empower their practice when working with individuals impacted by suicide.
ENDOWED LECTURE AND LUNCHEON 11:15-1:45 PM
Keynote Presenter: Dr. Shirley Wells
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP FOR PRACTITIONERS & FACULTY
1:45-3:00 PM
Implicit Bias Training
Presenters: Doreen Head, PhD, OTRL, FMiOTA & Regina Parnell, PhD, OTRL, FMiOTA
Description: Implicit Bias and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion) have become central if not polarizing topics in media, entertainment, politics, education, and healthcare. Statistics, lawsuits, and legislation about disparities in hiring, educational opportunities, racial, and ethnic participation in media abound. Also important, is data showing that implicit bias in health care affects hiring personnel, as well as health outcomes for minoritized or marginalized individuals, groups, and populations. Ethnic and gender homogeneity in the Occupational Therapy workforce increase the potential for Implicit Bias occurrences in our profession.
Presently in Michigan, participation in Implicit Bias seminars is required at businesses, academic institutions, and for licensure in many health professions. Although more research is needed, there is some evidence that implicit bias seminars have helped to reduce stereotyping in healthcare students. It is likely that collegial discussions may also help moderate unconscious bias and actions among occupational therapy personnel.
The aim of this presentation is to identify and address concerns related to implicit bias in health care. Content will address challenges as well as strategies for minimizing undesirable outcomes stemming from potentially adverse implicit bias responses. This interactive seminar will define key terms such as Implicit Bias and DEAI. Attendees will have an opportunity to help identify relevant challenges in the clinical, academic, and work settings. Practical solutions will be explored to help empower attendees to enact changes individually and collectively.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP FOR EMU STUDENTS 2:00-3:00 PM
POSTER SESSION 3:00-4:30 PM
A poster session will follow the afternoon workshops. Earn up to 2 PDUs.