President
Julia Graham
OTD, MFA, OTR/L
Where are you from?
I mostly grew up in Cincinnati, but moved to Seattle during high school. Since then, I have lived in New York City, San Francisco, and Nashville.
What school did you graduate from?
I received a BA in Dance Education from Hunter College, an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College, and an OTD from Belmont University.
What do you currently do?
I am a professor at Hawai’i Pacific University. Prior to academia, I was an acute care OT.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in occupational therapy?
I wanted to serve others in a holistic way that allowed me to be collaborative, creative, and science-driven.
What energizes you at work?
Watching people achieve their goals!
What drains you at work?
Thinking about healthcare inequalities and occupational injustice.
What are some of your current hobbies?
I love gardening, cooking, swimming, yoga, and spending time with my SO and dogs.
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
I would love to be able to knit.
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
Wallet, phone, keys, and sunglasses.
What are you currently watching on Netflix/TV?
I love ensemble comedies and dramas (i.e., Schitt’s Creek, Ozark, Parks and Rec).
Vice President
Iris Kwan
OTD, OTR/L
Iris is from Southern California and attended OT school at Touro University Nevada. She currently works in pediatric and adult home health.
Why did you decide to become an OT?
I wanted to help people get back to everyday activities that are important to them.
What energizes you at work?
Making a difference to my clients/patients.
What drains you at work?
Insurance and lack of funding/resources.
What are some of your current hobbies?
Hiking, relaxing at home, spending time with my family, and learning to cook.
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
I would like to get back into singing.
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
Car keys so I can drive my car.
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
Good Trouble
Treasurer
Jamie Trevino
MS, OTR/L
Where are you from?
Las Vegas, NV by way of Southern California
What school did you graduate from?
I received my BS in Human Services Counseling with a minor in Addictions Treatment from UNLV and received my MS in OT from Howard University.
What do you currently do?
I am currently an OT in Early Intervention and Outpatient Pediatrics.
Why did you decide to become an OT?
I had no idea what OT was until a former client of mine was receiving OT and I knew right there that OT was what I wanted to do.
What energizes you at work?
I absolutely love teaching and collaborating with parents on working with their children.
What drains you at work?
I don’t think anyone becomes an OT to do paperwork
What are some of your current hobbies?
I love crafts. I always buy craft supplies and have way too many to finish (or in most cases, start).
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
Woodworking of some kind
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
Keys, of course, and most likely my phone
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
On Disney+, I’m watching all the Star Wars and Marvel spinoff shows.
Communications Chair
Barbriel "Barbie" Crudup
COTA
What school did you graduate from?
Pima Medical Institute
What do you currently do?
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for NCEP
Why did you decide to pursue a career in occupational therapy?
I think Occupational Therapy, in its intent, purpose and scope, is beautiful and I can’t imagine a more fulfilling way to be a part in someone’s healing.
What energizes you at work?
The little wins.
What drains you at work?
Double booking
What are some of your current hobbies?
I’m a semi-pro women’s tackle football player.
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
I’m not sure that I have time for anything else right now.
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
I would say my Fitbit but, due to ADHD, I leave things at home all the time.
What are you currently watching on Netflix/TV?
I keep FRIENDS on in the background, pretty much at all times.
Membership Chair
Jon Legarte
OTD, OTR/L
Advocacy Chair
Matt Olivier
MS, OTR/L
Where are you from?
Originally, Frankenmuth, Michigan
What school did you graduate from?
Western Michigan University
What do you currently do?
DOR at one of Reno’s on-site Assisted Living & Memory Care communities
Why did you decide to pursue a career in occupational therapy?
I always wanted to do something only “sort of” medical, and something impactful. OT of course hit the bill.
What energizes you at work?
Surprising patients with success, i.e. what they can do to overcome obstacles.
What drains you at work?
My location is outpatient, so daily changes/cancellations, handling those on-the-spot items that pop up/add up. But, it all gets done and works out 🙂
What are some of your current hobbies?
I’m a runner – usually sign up for at least 1 half marathon a year
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
Glass blowing.
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
I’m always driving around with a frisbee and a deck of cards. “Just in case” indoor/outdoor fun always at hand!
What are you currently watching on Netflix/TV?
I’m pretty faithful in my efforts to catch SNL each week it’s new.
OTA Representative
Jessica Ryan
COTA/L
Policy Chair
Rachel Martin
MOTR/L
Where are you from?
Las Vegas, NV
What school did you graduate from?
University of Pittsburgh
What do you currently do?
Home health and inpatient rehab
Why did you decide to pursue a career in occupational therapy?
I found that occupational therapy was the perfect combination of creative and medical gazes, and I wanted to use that to help others
What energizes you at work?
Motivated and engaged patients
What drains you at work?
Documentation
What are some of your current hobbies?
Backpacking, yoga, snowboarding
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
I would love to bake!
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
My phone
What are you currently watching on Netflix/TV?
Rock of Love with Brett Michaels (or any 2006 reality TV)
Nevada Rep, AOTA Representative Assembly (RA)
Johnny Rider
PhD, OTR/L, MSCS, CEAS
Where are you from?
I was raised in North Carolina and Utah.
Where did you attend school?
I completed my BA in Deaf Studies from Utah Valley University, my MSOT from Touro University Nevada and my PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
What do you do currently?
I am an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Touro University Nevada and work for Good Life Therapy, LLC as a community-based therapist. I also work as an American Sign Language Interpreter.
Why did you decide to become an OT?
I was exposed to OT at an early age and was drawn to the mixture of science, creativity, compassion, and flexibility.
What energizes you at work?
Humor. I enjoy having fun and keeping things light-hearted with clients and students.
What drains you at work?
Sitting at the computer. I never imagined I would spent so much time behind a computer as an OT.
What are some of your current hobbies?
Woodworking, hiking, and riding ATVs.
What is one hobby that you’d love to get into?
Fixing up old cars/motorcycles/ATVs. I am slowly collecting the appropriate tools so I can start learning how to fix my own machines. My ultimate goal is to restore an old Jeep Wrangler.
What’s one item you can’t leave the house without?
My Burt’s Bees chapstick.
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
I am currently watching “Alone” and enjoying reruns of “The Office” when I have time.