Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association

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.” 🌎💆🏽‍♀️❤️

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!” 💡🏆👏

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.” 👩🏻‍💻❤️🚙🍴⚕️

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.” 💪🏼👩‍🏫🏆

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. 🚗

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.”
🫂🫱🏼‍🫲🏾🧩

04/17/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Megan P. Ladner, DHA, MS, OTR/L 🎉

Megan graduated from the OT program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in 2004. She has practiced primarily in pediatric settings for 10 years (including public school, private school, and outpatient pediatrics, as well as adult acute care) before fully transitioning to academia. In 2022, she became the program director for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at UMMC. 👩‍🏫💙

What is your favorite thing about being an OT?

“My favorite thing about being an OT has changed throughout the years. When I was in direct patient care, I loved seeing the light in the children’s eyes when they learned a new skill or accomplished a task they had been working so hard to master. Since I have been in academia, my favorite thing is hearing the great accomplishments of our graduates in the various settings in which they work. It makes my heart smile!” 😊👩‍🎓

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

“I’m excited to see OT expand into a variety of new settings over the next 50 years. Our OTD students complete a Capstone experience and project just prior to graduation. Many of these experiences are in unique community settings without an OT on staff. During the Capstone experience, many organizations have seen the value of OT and have created and offered a full-time position for the student upon graduation.” 💡✅❤️

04/16/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Emily Peacock, OTD, OTR/L 🎉

Emily graduated from UMMC’s OTD program in May of 2024. She has been practicing for almost 2 years! 👩‍🎓

She has worked primarily in outpatient pediatrics and has recently begun servicing children in the central MS area through Early Intervention as well. 👧🏽🧒🏻👶🏻🧩

What is your favorite thing about being an OT?

“My favorite thing about being an OT is getting to build meaningful relationships with children and their families. It’s so special to be able to walk alongside them to support their journey, celebrate their progress, and watch them grow as they achieve new milestones or regain skills they’ve lost. I love the creative aspect of OT and coming up with fun, engaging activities to target specific goals for children of all ages. No matter the setting, Occupational Therapy is the most rewarding job!” 🫂💙

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

“Over the next 50 years, I look forward to seeing the continued growth, advocacy and increased awareness of our profession. I hope that OT will continue to expand in the areas of community outreach and mental health. My vision is for the role and impact of OT to become more widely understood so that Mississippians across the lifespan, regardless of their socioeconomic status or location, may have access to and benefit from Occupational Therapy services!” 🫶🏼💡💙

04/15/2026

MSOTA Spotlight:
Heather Holland, OTR/L, UDN-C 🎉

Heather graduated OT school in 2017 from Alabama State University and has been practicing for 9 years. ⏳

She has practiced in the outpatient setting, hospital, skilled nursing facility, and school system. Heather is currently practicing in the outpatient setting specializing in pelvic floor therapy/women's health. She loves speaking at various events/conferences, especially to students, promoting our profession and detailing the many different practice areas of OT. 🤰🧘‍♀️🏃‍♂️❤️

She has recently joined the MSOTA Public Relations Committee! 📸🗣️

What is your favorite thing about OT?

“What I love most about occupational therapy is that it's rooted in independence. We don't just treat symptoms- we help people get back to living their lives.”💪❤️🏆

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

“In 50 years, I see occupational therapy in Mississippi as a driving force in both healthcare and leadership. Where OTs are known for stepping into niche areas, innovating care, and expanding what's possible for our profession. From pelvic health to executive leadership, OTs will be recognized as experts who meet people where they are and guide them toward independence and full participation in life.” 💡💙

04/14/2026