Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association

Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association The Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association is a professional organization for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants

Current Goals :

1. Continue to improve the MSOTA website to maximize utilization of the site to increase membership and advertising revenue.

2. Increase membership in MSOTA by exploring organizational, corporate and multi-year memberships.

3. Continue work on collaboration with neighboring states.

4. Develop ways to better educate members on changes with reimbursement.

The Meridian District invites you to join us for a new event: “Panel of Pearls: Clinical Pearls for Everyday Practice.”T...
08/20/2026

The Meridian District invites you to join us for a new event: “Panel of Pearls: Clinical Pearls for Everyday Practice.”This free event will take place on August 29, 2026, at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center - North Campus, in Meridian, MS, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with experts to ask questions, learn practical strategies, and gain insights or “pearls” that can be applied directly to everyday practice. Our panel of experienced occupational therapy practitioners represent a variety of practice settings and specialties that include upper extremity/physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, early intervention, lymphedema, and more!

For many OT practitioners working in rural areas like our district, it can be easy to feel professionally isolated or limited in available resources. Our goal is to help change this narrative. Beyond the invaluable knowledge to be gained, this event is designed to foster meaningful connections, encourage collaboration, and strengthen our OT practitioner community in a supportive, judgment-free environment.Whether you’re a new practitioner or seasoned clinician, you don’t want to miss this opportunity!

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful discussion. Attendance is open and free to all. MSOTA members only will receive a 2.0 hour continuing education certificate that will be provided immediately following the event. Pre-registration is currently open for this event online and on-site registration is also available. Please arrive early to complete the registration process.

If you have questions regarding this event, please feel free to reach out to Meridian District Co-Chair Sarah Whinery, OTD, OTR/L at [email protected].

Parking Instructions: Park in the parking garage; from the parking garage, take the elevator to level G (garage); follow the arrows - turn left off the elevator, walk down the hallway and turn left again to enter to the Auditorium at the end of the hallwayAddress: 2124 14th St. Meridian, MS, 39301 (North Campus with the parking garage)

https://www.mississippiota.org/upcoming-ce-events

🎉 Celebrating Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association! 🎉We are proud to share that MSOTA was recognized by the Affi...
07/28/2026

🎉 Celebrating Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association! 🎉

We are proud to share that MSOTA was recognized by the Affiliated State Association Presidents (ASAP) the 2026 Professional Development Award for our outstanding commitment to advancing professional development during this year’s conference weekend. 🏆

This recognition was presented at the 2026 ASAP Annual Meeting during AOTA Inspire 2026 in Anaheim, California, where state associations from across the country were honored for their dedication to strengthening the occupational therapy profession.

📸 Pictured (4th from the left): Courtney Everett, Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association President-Elect, and Peter Giroux, Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association President, celebrating this incredible achievement alongside fellow ASAP award recipients. ❤️

Congratulations to everyone whose hard work and dedication made this recognition possible! Together, we continue to elevate the occupational therapy profession and invest in the growth of practitioners across Mississippi. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼💙

Read more about the award and the outstanding work of state occupational therapy associations here: check comments for link ✅

Join MSOTA Coastal District Co-Chairs Tanner Lee and Dalton Frederick as they host a free continuing education event on ...
07/21/2026

Join MSOTA Coastal District Co-Chairs Tanner Lee and Dalton Frederick as they host a free continuing education event on July 30, 2026 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m at Encompass Health and Rehab in Gulfport, MS. Christa Anderson, OTR/L, will speak on "The Hemiplegic Upper Extremity: Treatment and Management of Shoulder Subluxation While Promoting Functional Recovery."

This session will provide participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to effectively evaluate, treat, and manage shoulder subluxation in individuals following stroke (CVA). Participants will learn to identify the most common types and causes of shoulder subluxation, recognize its clinical presentation, and implement evidence-based treatment and management strategies throughout the rehabilitation process and amongst various settings.

The course will include instruction and demonstration of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and therapeutic taping techniques to support shoulder alignment and function. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of the Functional Upper Extremity Levels (FUEL) assessment, including its administration and application to writing functional, patient-centered treatment goals.

This event is open and free for all to attend. Food will be provided. MSOTA members only will receive a continuing education certificate for 2.0 contact hours immediately following the event. Pre-registration is required. Click the link below to register online.

https://www.mississippiota.org/upcoming-ce-events

MSOTA North District Co-Chairs Kelli Greer and Lauren Beard are hosting a District Meeting/Free CEU Event on July 30, 20...
07/21/2026

MSOTA North District Co-Chairs Kelli Greer and Lauren Beard are hosting a District Meeting/Free CEU Event on July 30, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Loco Taco in Tupelo, MS (1645 N. Coley Road). Recent UMMC OT graduates Emily Ogelsby and Kaki Tucker will present their capstone projects during this meeting.

The first hour of this meeting/CEU event is social/networking/meeting time that will not be counted toward the continuing education credits. Appetizers will be provided. Attendees are welcome to purchase a full meal if desired.
Emily Ogelsby is a recent UMMC graduate and she will present her capstone project from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: "Empowering Caregivers to Support Preschool Development." This presentation will focus on preparing parents of pre-school aged children for school and self-care. It will also provide information and resources for a teacher/occupational therapist's tool-kit for carryover into elementary school.

Kaki Tucker is a recent UMMC graduate and she will present her capstone project from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: "Supporting Student Participation and Independence: Implementing an Occupational Therapy Resource Binder for Sensory, ADL, and Fine Motor Skills in Special Education Classrooms." This presentation will focus on resources included in the binder for special education teachers and occupational therapists to aid in decreasing a students screen time and more opportunities for hands-on learning in the classroom setting.

Attendance is open and free to all. MSOTA members only will receive a 1.0 hour continuing education certificate that will be provided immediately following the event. Pre-registration is required. Click the link below to register online.

https://www.mississippiota.org/upcoming-ce-events

MSOTA Spotlight: Rashida Sturgis, Ph.D., MOT, OTR/L, CAIP 🎉 Dr. Rashida Sturgis has been a practicing Occupational Thera...
05/21/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Rashida Sturgis, Ph.D., MOT, OTR/L, CAIP 🎉

Dr. Rashida Sturgis has been a practicing Occupational Therapy professional for many years. She has practiced her craft in the areas of acute care, skilled nursing, and the public school system in Mississippi and Texas. She also worked as a college professor for Tulane University for over ten years in the Kinesiology department. 🏥🎓

Additionally, for nearly seven years she has been immersed in the mental health field where she is dedicated to helping individuals with complex emotional and psychological challenges to enhance functional performance to daily life. 🧠💚

What makes OT in mental health so important?

“Mental Health is the state of social, emotional, and psychological well-being. 🧘🏽‍♀️🧘

Occupational Therapy is essential to mental health as the profession has been rooted in the field of psychiatry since its inception. The profession sought to replace the idleness of earlier treatment with routines that are healthy, meaningful, and client centered. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼❤️

Occupational Therapy is predicated on the theory of mind-body unity which emphasizes that the mind and body work in concert with one another to promote health and healing. ❤️‍🩹

Henceforth, the profession emphasizes the need for individuals to actively engage in activities that provide meaning and purpose to daily life. To be specific, active engagement in occupations promotes, facilitates, and maintains overall mental well-being.🏀🪥🍽️👖👶

Lastly, The American Occupational Therapy Association supports the profession as being included in the federal definition of behavioral and mental health professionals which further validates its importance. (AOTA, 2014b).” 👏🏽 🙂‍↕️

What would you like to see in this area of practice in the next 50 years?

“Over the next 50 years, I would like to envision Occupational Therapy in mental health as a standard part of the interdisciplinary behavioral health treatment team in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Occupational Therapists play a vital role in connecting mental, physical, emotional, and social health.” 🌎💆🏽‍♀️❤️

MSOTA Spotlight: Peter Giroux, PHD, MHS, OTR/L, FAOTA 🎉Peter graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in 1987 with ...
04/27/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Peter Giroux, PHD, MHS, OTR/L, FAOTA
🎉

Peter graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in 1987 with a BS in OT. He has a master’s degree in Health Sciences and a PHD in clinical health sciences. He has been a professor of occupational therapy at UMMC since 1993 and current MSOTA President. 👨‍🏫

He has experience in school-based practice, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, home health, assistive technology and environmental modifications/design. ✍️🏡♿️

He also travels all over the US and throughout the world presenting learning workshops on various topics to education and health care professionals. ✈️🌎📚

What is your favorite thing about being an OT?

“My favorite thing about being an OT in my “regular” job is sharing the amazing profession of occupational therapy to future practitioners. It is so exciting to see the transformation from OT student to OT practitioner.” 🎓🥼🎊

What is your vision for occupational therapy in the Mississippi over the next 50 years?

“My vision for occupational therapy over the next 50 years is for our expertise and skills to be recognized, regarded and valued greatly. I want the initials OT to be understood and require no explanation just like PT or RN to the general public. OT Rocks and I want everyone to know that!” 💡🏆👏

MSOTA Spotlight: Alex Wolfe, OTS 🎉Alex will be graduating this upcoming may from UMMC’s OTD department! She has accepted...
04/23/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Alex Wolfe, OTS 🎉

Alex will be graduating this upcoming may from UMMC’s OTD department!
She has accepted a job at West Florida Hospital and will be doing inpatient neuro. 🎓🧠🏥

We would like to extend our appreciation to Alex for creating MSOTA’s 50th Anniversary T-shirt. 🎉👚

What are your goals for the first 5 years after graduation?

“My goal for the first 5 years after graduation is to obtain as much clinical knowledge as possible and help educate as many people about OT as I can.” 👩🏻‍🏫💙

What is your favorite thing about OT?

“My favorite thing about occupational therapy is helping people reconnect with what they’re passionate about. I love uncovering what drives each person and figuring out how to support them in doing more of what gives their life meaning.” 🫂🏆

What is your vision for occupational therapy in the Mississippi over the next 50 years?

“My vision for OT in Mississippi over the next 50 years is to see OT become a frontline, preventative service, not just something people access after injury or illness. That means expanding our role in schools, primary care, mental health, and community wellness to help people maintain independence and quality of life before problems escalate. I see the profession continuing to evolve with technology; using telehealth, adaptive devices, and innovative interventions to increase independence and participation in meaningful occupations.” 👩🏻‍💻❤️🚙🍴⚕️

MSOTA Spotlight: Anne Jordan Cole, OTD, OTR/L 🎉Anne Jordan Cole is a graduate of UMMC, class of 2024, and has been pract...
04/22/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Anne Jordan Cole, OTD, OTR/L 🎉

Anne Jordan Cole is a graduate of UMMC, class of 2024, and has been practicing in an outpatient/hand therapy setting for the past two years. 🤚🏼

She is excited to announce the opening of her own clinic alongside a physical therapy colleague in her hometown of Batesville, MS —Heal Occupational and Physical Therapy. Anne Jordan looks forward to serving and giving back to the community that has invested so much in her journey. 🤝🏡❤️

What is your favorite thing about being an OT?

“There are so many things I love about being an OT, but my favorite is the opportunity to impact not only a person’s independence in ADL, but also their mindset and confidence as they regain the ability to live their life. There’s nothing more rewarding than running into a former patient and shaking the very hand we once worked so hard to rehabilitate.” 🫶🏼💙

What is your vision for OT in Mississippi over the next 50 years?

“I believe OT will continue to flourish in Mississippi over the next 50 years. Through ongoing advocacy efforts through MSOTA, and as more students gain a deeper understanding and respect for the profession, OT will continue to have a strong and lasting seat at the table as a leading healthcare profession.” 💪🏼👩‍🏫🏆

Don't miss this chance to earn 2 live continuing education units for your license renewal! 🪪Join us at the Central Dist...
04/21/2026

Don't miss this chance to earn 2 live continuing education units for your license renewal! 🪪

Join us at the Central District Meeting this Thursday evening at the UMMC School of Health Related Professions from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. This event includes one hour of research presentations by the UMMC OTD students followed by a one hour panel discussion on Guiding Students Toward Competence during their fieldwork experiences. 👩‍🏫

Visit the MSOTA website at www.mississippiota.org to pre-register. Attendance is free for all. MSOTA members only will receive the 2.0 hours CEU certificate immediately following the event. ✅

https://www.mississippiota.org/upcoming-ce-events

UMMC Parking has approved guests to park in adjacent lots to the School of Health Related Professions. Specifically, these lots are numbered 8, 11, 18, 12, and 21. There should be student volunteers assisting guests with parking and badge entrance to the building. 🚗

MSOTA Spotlight: Jeryl Baker, COTA/L 🎉Jeryk graduated OTA School in 2021 and has been practicing as a clinician for five...
04/20/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Jeryl Baker, COTA/L 🎉

Jeryk graduated OTA School in 2021 and has been practicing as a clinician for five years, currently working in pediatric school-based settings. She also has prior experience working in skilled nursing facilities and will be starting a part-time position in an inpatient rehabilitation facility soon. 🏥📚

What is your favorite thing about being an OT practitioner?

“What I enjoy most about being a practitioner is seeing my patients progress and reach their goals. It’s a great feeling to help them return to activities they love and build skills in areas where they need support. I also really value forming strong relationships with my patients. With children, I love being able to use play as a tool to help them learn and achieve their goals.” 🏆💙🪀

What is your vision for occupational therapy in Mississippi over the next 50 years?

“My vision for occupational therapy in Mississippi includes expanding access to high-quality, early intervention services for children with autism, especially in underserved and rural communities. I see continued growth in evidence-based, play-based, and sensory-informed approaches that support communication, regulation, and functional independence. I also envision stronger collaboration between therapists, families, and schools to ensure consistent, meaningful progress across environments, helping children with autism reach their full potential and participate more fully in daily life.”
🫂🫱🏼‍🫲🏾🧩

Address

P. O. Box 4916/Jackson, MS 39296
Jackson, MS
39296

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