OT Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Emerging Practice

In this special roundtable episode, I am joined by fellow members of the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee for an honest and inspiring conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, emerging practice, and the future of occupational therapy. Together, we explore how occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are creating impact in spaces far beyond traditional healthcare settings while remaining deeply rooted in the core values of our profession. From home organization and functional medicine to marketing, ergonomics, community-based practice, leadership, and advocacy, this episode highlights the many ways OT practitioners are applying their unique lens to solve problems, create opportunities, and improve lives. Whether you're a student, clinician, educator, entrepreneur, or someone simply curious about where OT can go next, this conversation offers encouragement, practical advice, and a reminder that there is no single path to being an occupational therapy practitioner.In This Episode:• The vision behind the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee• Why innovation and entrepreneurship matter now more than ever• How OT practitioners are creating careers beyond traditional settings• The unique strengths OTs and OTAs bring into emerging practice areas• Overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and professional isolation• Finding community, mentorship, and support in non-traditional roles• Advice for students, new graduates, and practitioners considering a career pivotFeatured Guests:Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA -President, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arameh-anvarizadehInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drarameh/?hl=enShould I Be an AOTA Member? Arameh Anvarizadeh’s 2-Minute Pitch -OT Potential with Sarah Lyon - Breakdown of 4 C’shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h7FyFBnebc&t=26sSarah Larsen, OTR/L - Home Organization Occupational TherapistWebsite: https://balancedhomeorganization.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedhomeorganization_pdx/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalancedHomeOrganization/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-larsen-292390181/Anne-Marie Dundas, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Functional Medicine & Wellness PractitionerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-marie-dundas-2963378b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whole_life_healthy_/Krista Frahm, OTR/L – Occupationa Therapist, Marketing Strategist & Copywriter for Healthcare ProfessionalsWebsite: https://www.kristafrahm.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristafrahmagency/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristafrahmagency/Aja Black, COTA/L, CAE - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant & Ergonomics ProfessionalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aja-black-b676b4125/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajaeblack/?hl=enPatricia Motus, OTR/L, CTIS, RYT - Community-Based Occupational Therapist, Educator, Mentor, Speaker, and Host of The Uncommon OT SeriesWebsite: https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-motus/Instagram: @transitionsOTAdditional Ad Hoc Committee Members:Tomeico Faison, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA - EntrepreneurWebsite: https://tomeicofaison.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeicofaison/Gretchen Kingma, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM - RealtorWebsite: https://empoweredhomes.com/author/gretchen/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-kingma-21930387/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenkingma_/?hl=enAOTA Education Ad Hoc CommitteeRyan Lavalley, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlavalley/Innovative Practice OT Interest & Connection Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4L_DkBlWZmrwn3o-OglNyzsTqjClaYKSJvx4X0GOwUapIbA/viewformAs 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 @transitionsotTHANK YOU for LISTENING, FOLLOWING, DOWNLOADING, RATING, REVIEWING & SHARING “The Uncommon OT Series” Podcast with all your OTP friends and colleagues!Full Episodes and Q & A only available at:https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-seriesSign Up NOW for the Transitions OT Email List to Receive the FREEUpdated List of Uncommon OT Practice Settingshttps://www.wholistic-transitions.com/transitionsotTo Add Your Profile to The Uncommon OT Directory:https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/requestFor Non-Traditional OT Practice Mentorship w/ Patricia:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC3vI5OnK3mLrCXACEex-5ReO8uUVPo1EUXIi8FKO-FCfoEg/viewformHappy Listening Friends! Big OT Love!All views are mine and guests own.