Utah Occupational Therapy Association

05/29/2026

Make your voice heard to protect reimbursement for OT services!

We need your voice! Ask Congress to support the RECOVER Act which will increase payment for therapy services.

In April, the Removing Excessive Cuts to Outpatient and Vital Essential Rehabilitation (RECOVER) Act (HR 8386) was introduced to repeal the multiple procedure payment reduction’s (MPPR’s) arbitrary cut to therapy payments. Last week, as Congress took several important steps towards fixing the flawed Medicare Part B Payment system, AOTA was working to make sure the RECOVER Act is included in these efforts.

Contact Congress today at aota.org/takeaction
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dPaKMM

05/29/2026

🥁Drumroll please...as we announce Shauni Snow, COTA/L, and Nick Sidwell, OTR/L, as the winners of the 2026 UOTA OT/OTA Partnership Award! They were nominated for a demonstrating “mutual mentorship,” professionalism, and genuine care for their clinic, clients, and the Utah OT community.

As their nominator wrote, "Together, they exemplify the heart of occupational therapy by elevating one another and providing exceptional care for Utah children and families."

Congrats to Shauni and Nick on this well-earned award!

05/23/2026

🎉Here's a shout out for UOTA member Aarone Cefalo, the 2026 Award of Excellence in Practice winner! Aarone's nominator commented on his high-level oversight with a deeply approachable, 'people-first' personality as the Regional Director of a pediatric OT clinic. He was also recognized for his proactive nature, willingness to research complex clinical questions for best patient outcomes, innovation in developing technology used for better communication between families and staff, and his ideal blend of clinical dedication & forward-thinking leadership. Congrats, Aarone, on a well-deserved honor! 🎉

05/23/2026

You know someone's made an impact when they are nominated for an award by multiple OT practitioners across the state of Utah! 👏👏👏 Congratulations to UOTA member Beth Cardell on receiving the 2026 Eunice Chen Mentorship Award.

Beth was nominated for:
--Providing extensive mentorship and staff education on cognitive impairments, intervention strategies, and documentation best practices.​
--Elevating clinical knowledge and practice standards across the OT team through strong leadership and teaching.​
--Shaping hundreds of OT practitioners through client-centered, evidence-based mentorship and education.​
--Demonstrating exceptional professionalism, long-term dedication, and commitment to advancing the OT profession.​
--Serving as a phenomenal teacher, mentor, and program director whose leadership supported a flawless program review.​

Ever had Dr. Cardell as your OT professor or been on a research team together? Give a shout out in the comments!

05/22/2026

🎉Congratulations to UOTA member Meena Iyer on receiving the 2026 Bonnie Held Award of Service! Meena was recognized for her extensive service on multiple UOTA and AOTA committees, as well as her time representing Utah in the AOTA Representative Assembly. Thanks for all you've done, Meena! 🎉

05/17/2026

A big thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Business Meeting, both online and in person, in beautiful (and warm) St. George!

Don't forget to email [email protected] for your Attendance Certificate for 1 contact hour of legal/business training.

A quick reminder that we still have spots open for our Dry Needling Courses. Come join us and be one of the first OTs to be certified in our state. This is a great opportunity! Email [email protected] for the UOTA discount code - and Sign up here: https://myopainseminars.com/upcoming/

05/16/2026

One final reminder for the 2026 UOTA Spring Business Meeting coming up TOMORROW (Saturday, May 16th, 2026) from 10:00-11:30am. UOTA leaders will be ready & waiting to meet up with southern Utah practitioners & students in-person on the Utah Tech Campus. Everyone else, see you on Zoom!

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82637460797?pwd=kr2cQ5gNoaykwaPnHNbptx7hiai3wV.1
Meeting ID: 826 3746 0797
Passcode: 782703

05/11/2026

Get it on your calendar for next weekend! Join in person or online.

2026 UOTA Spring Business Meeting
📆May 16th, 2026
⏰10:00-11:30am
📍Utah Tech campus / Science, Engineering, & Technology (SET) Building, Rm 105
💻Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82637460797
?pwd=kr2cQ5gNoaykwaPnHNbptx7hiai3wV.1
Meeting ID: 826 3746 0797
Passcode: 782703

05/06/2026

All UOTA members (OT practitioners and OT/OTA students) are invited to the 2026 UOTA Spring Business Meeting coming up on May 16th, 2026 from 10:00-11:30am. Join in-person (weekend trip to St. George?) or online. See you there!

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82637460797?pwd=kr2cQ5gNoaykwaPnHNbptx7hiai3wV.1
Meeting ID: 826 3746 0797
Passcode: 782703

05/06/2026

Planning for the 2026 UOTA Annual Conference is already in the works, and we can't wait to see what you have to share this year. Welcoming conference proposals from OT practitioners and students alike. Scan the QR code to see the details and start preparing your submission!