DIVERSE-OT
Promoting justice, equity, and inclusion in all that we do
Diverse-OT National Team
They/Them
Founder/Chair
Adeola (Toni) Solaru is a community-based mental health occupational therapist and clinical assistant professor working in Chicago, IL. Driven by justice and inclusion, Toni is dedicated to providing equitable services to meet the diverse needs of their students and clients. In addition to their role as a professor and clinician, Toni is the co-founder and chair of Diverse-OT National. Diverse-OT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that aims to advance the OT profession’s cultural climate by increasing student knowledge of culturally responsive practice and works to support underrepresented students of color. Toni received their Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Occupational Doctorate from Columbia University. Toni is passionate about delivering high-quality and culturally relevant client-centered services, health equity and justice, and assisting clients to achieve their personal goals.
Founder/Chair
Adeola (Toni) Solaru is a community-based mental health occupational therapist and clinical assistant professor working in Chicago, IL. Driven by justice and inclusion, Toni is dedicated to providing equitable services to meet the diverse needs of their students and clients. In addition to their role as a professor and clinician, Toni is the co-founder and chair of Diverse-OT National. Diverse-OT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that aims to advance the OT profession’s cultural climate by increasing student knowledge of culturally responsive practice and works to support underrepresented students of color. Toni received their Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Occupational Doctorate from Columbia University. Toni is passionate about delivering high-quality and culturally relevant client-centered services, health equity and justice, and assisting clients to achieve their personal goals.
Caitlin Rhoten, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Founder/Vice-Chair
Caitlin Rhoten is an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a background in school-based OT. She additionally is the co-founder and vice-chair of Diverse-OT National. Caitlin received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University. Caitlin is passionate about providing culturally responsive care, occupational justice, and addressing health equity within practice.
Founder/Vice-Chair
Caitlin Rhoten is an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a background in school-based OT. She additionally is the co-founder and vice-chair of Diverse-OT National. Caitlin received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University. Caitlin is passionate about providing culturally responsive care, occupational justice, and addressing health equity within practice.
Brittany Lowen, MSOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Secretary
Brittany is a board member of Diverse-OT. She received her degree in occupational therapy, and currently works in rural health outpatient and acute care settings. She believes that all underrepresented persons deserve to have culturally responsive care from their providers through means of shared background and/or education.
Secretary
Brittany is a board member of Diverse-OT. She received her degree in occupational therapy, and currently works in rural health outpatient and acute care settings. She believes that all underrepresented persons deserve to have culturally responsive care from their providers through means of shared background and/or education.
Noreen Jeglum, MSOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Treasurer
Noreen Jeglum is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She earned an MS in Occupational Therapy from UW-Madison and is currently working as a home health therapist for Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA.Noreen is passionate about promoting culturally competent and inclusive care particularly in low income communities.
Treasurer
Noreen Jeglum is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She earned an MS in Occupational Therapy from UW-Madison and is currently working as a home health therapist for Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA.Noreen is passionate about promoting culturally competent and inclusive care particularly in low income communities.
Monica Ayala, MSOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Board Member
Monica is a board member of Diverse-OT National. After receiving her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), she completed an OT Fellowship Program in Physical Rehabilitation. She now works with Veterans in a residential treatment center for those with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Monica is committed to identifying and addressing disparities in health care. She believes in the importance of being a lifelong learner and delivering client-centered care.
Board Member
Monica is a board member of Diverse-OT National. After receiving her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), she completed an OT Fellowship Program in Physical Rehabilitation. She now works with Veterans in a residential treatment center for those with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Monica is committed to identifying and addressing disparities in health care. She believes in the importance of being a lifelong learner and delivering client-centered care.
Katie Conrad, MSOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Board Member
Katie Conrad is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She currently practices in an acute care oncology setting in Milwaukee. Katie strongly believes that providing culturally responsive care is imperative in achieving meaningful functional outcomes for patients across OT settings.
Board Member
Katie Conrad is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She currently practices in an acute care oncology setting in Milwaukee. Katie strongly believes that providing culturally responsive care is imperative in achieving meaningful functional outcomes for patients across OT settings.
Sarah Alter, MSOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Board Member
Sarah Alter is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She earned an MS in Occupational Therapy from UW-Madison. Sarah is a pediatric occupational therapist and Early Intervention specialist in Chicago. Sarah is passionate about providing high quality care using a sensory integration approach to help children and families meet their goals. Sarah is proud to serve as a Diverse-OT board member and is excited to use her voice to promote social justice and cultural humility among health care providers. She hopes to increase diversity within the Allied Health professions and increase awareness of intersectionality between healthcare and culture.
Board Member
Sarah Alter is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She earned an MS in Occupational Therapy from UW-Madison. Sarah is a pediatric occupational therapist and Early Intervention specialist in Chicago. Sarah is passionate about providing high quality care using a sensory integration approach to help children and families meet their goals. Sarah is proud to serve as a Diverse-OT board member and is excited to use her voice to promote social justice and cultural humility among health care providers. She hopes to increase diversity within the Allied Health professions and increase awareness of intersectionality between healthcare and culture.
Deana Muñoz, MOT, OTR/L
She/Her/Hers
Board Member
Deana is a board member of Diverse-OT. She received her degree in occupational therapy from Colorado State University, where she co-founded the fourth national graduate chapter of Diverse-OT with three incredible classmates. She has been marching and organizing for justice in many forms since her first anti-war protest at age 11. Her passions include providing neurodiversity-affirming care and supporting pediatric mental health to uplift and empower traditionally underserved populations. She takes a sensory and trauma-informed lens to her pediatric outpatient practice and loves spending her days supporting children and families in finding positive solutions to the challenges life brings.
Board Member
Deana is a board member of Diverse-OT. She received her degree in occupational therapy from Colorado State University, where she co-founded the fourth national graduate chapter of Diverse-OT with three incredible classmates. She has been marching and organizing for justice in many forms since her first anti-war protest at age 11. Her passions include providing neurodiversity-affirming care and supporting pediatric mental health to uplift and empower traditionally underserved populations. She takes a sensory and trauma-informed lens to her pediatric outpatient practice and loves spending her days supporting children and families in finding positive solutions to the challenges life brings.