About Us

DIVERSE-OT

Promoting justice, equity, and inclusion in all that we do

About us

Diverse-OT is an organization created by licensed occupational therapists. Diverse-OT is dedicated to enhancing the field of occupational therapy by providing opportunities to:

  • Integrate equity and cultural responsiveness into the occupational therapy student experience

  • Develop and support the recruitment of underrepresented students into occupational therapy programs through community outreach and mentoring
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Our Mission

01

Diverse-OT aims to advance the cultural climate within occupational therapy programs across the country by providing opportunities for discussion and education on equity and inclusion. We strive to create pathways for underrepresented students into occupational therapy programs and to foster a strong community of occupational therapy students who are knowledgeable about the experiences of underrepresented peoples and equipped to address health inequities.
Diverse-OT Corp. aims to advance the cultural climate within the occupational therapy profession. We strive to foster a strong community of critically reflexive occupational therapists and students equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally relevant care to individuals, populations, and communities that they serve.

As client populations continue to become increasingly diverse, culturally responsive practitioners are essential. Occupational therapists must practice with cultural humility and continuously analyze how socio-cultural assumptions, social positions, and biases intersect with client choices and freedoms.

To accomplish this mission, Diverse-OT strives to:
  • Recruit and retain underrepresented students into occupational therapy programs
  • Increase occupational therapists’ and students’ knowledge of culturally responsive concepts and how to navigate crucial conversations with colleagues or classmates
  • Emphasize the importance of reflection of the larger picture to promote awareness of how we operate within a system
  • Create affirming work or learning environments in which all people are free to express themselves and are provided equal access and fair treatment

Our Vision

02

To answer the American Occupational Therapy Association’s call to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce, Diverse-OT aims to serve as a model for future chapters at college and university campuses across the nation looking to join this mission. We envision a field of future occupational therapists that practice with cultural responsiveness and integrate principles of equity and inclusion in all they do.
We envision a field of future occupational therapists who practice with cultural responsiveness and integrate principles of equity and inclusion in all they do.

Values

03

Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:

Advocacy – we strive to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions.
Empowerment – we are committed to empowering the new generation of occupational therapists and the communities that we serve.
Culturally Relevant Care – we respect individuals, communities, and populations, value diversity, and are committed to equity.
Occupational Justice – we believe that all individuals have the right to participate in diverse and meaningful occupations.
Community Partnerships – we are committed to a culture of teamwork and collaboration.

01

Our Mission

Diverse-OT Corp. aims to advance the cultural climate within the occupational therapy profession. We strive to foster a strong community of critically reflexive occupational therapists and students equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally relevant care to individuals, populations, and communities that they serve.

As client populations continue to become increasingly diverse, culturally responsive practitioners are essential. Occupational therapists must practice with cultural humility and continuously analyze how socio-cultural assumptions, social positions, and biases intersect with client choices and freedoms.

To accomplish this mission, Diverse-OT strives to:
  • Recruit and retain underrepresented students into occupational therapy programs
  • Increase occupational therapists’ and students’ knowledge of culturally responsive concepts and how to navigate crucial conversations with colleagues or classmates
  • Emphasize the importance of reflection of the larger picture to promote awareness of how we operate within a system
  • Create affirming work or learning environments in which all people are free to express themselves and are provided equal access and fair treatment

02

Our Vision

To answer the American Occupational Therapy Association’s call to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce, Diverse-OT aims to serve as a model for future chapters at college and university campuses across the nation looking to join this mission. We envision a field of future occupational therapists that practice with cultural responsiveness and integrate principles of equity and inclusion in all they do.
We envision a field of future occupational therapists who practice with cultural responsiveness and integrate principles of equity and inclusion in all they do.

03

Our Values

Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:

Advocacy – we strive to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions.
Empowerment – we are committed to empowering the new generation of occupational therapists and the communities that we serve.
Culturally Relevant Care – we respect individuals, communities, and populations, value diversity, and are committed to equity.
Occupational Justice – we believe that all individuals have the right to participate in diverse and meaningful occupations.
Community Partnerships – we are committed to a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
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Professional Resources

Diverse-OT National Team

Adeola (Toni) Solaru, MSOT, OTR/L

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Founder/Chair

Toni is co-founder and Chair of Diverse-OT National. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and is starting her Occupational Therapy Doctorate in the fall with a focus on functional cognition. Toni currently practices as a community-based OT in Chicago. Toni is passionate about delivering high-quality and client-centered services, health equity and justice, and enjoys assisting clients achieve their personal goals.

Caitlin Rhoten, MSOT, OTR/L

She/Her/Hers
Founder/Vice-Chair

Caitlin is co-founder and Vice-Chair of Diverse-OT National. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and is currently working on her Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD). Caitlin currently practices as a school-based occupational therapist in Wisconsin and 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.

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.

Monica Daleccio, MSOT, OTR/L

She/Her/Hers
Board Member

Monica is a board member of Diverse-OT National. She recently received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and will begin an Occupational Therapy Physical Rehabilitation Fellowship Program this fall. Monica is passionate about overcoming language barriers in healthcare settings and her long-term goal is to work in primarily Spanish-speaking communities in order to improve their healthcare experiences.

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.

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.

What Students Say

My reasoning for being in Diverse OT is to not only learn and educate others about how to provide culturally responsive care, but to also encourage marginalized students to pursue a career in the health field. I have hopes that in the near future, health care professionals will be representative of all ethnicities, cultures, genders, and races.

Julia G.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

I decided to join Diverse-OT to help build a community and foster a sense of belonging for marginalized emerging clinicians. I am hopeful that the space we fill with our diverse identities pushes for a cultural shift that encourages our field toward more equitable, inclusive, and accessible care

Meghna K

Boston University

I joined Diverse OT to remove as many barriers as possible for prospective occupational therapy students of underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds. To keep true to our OT’s value of occupational justice and to work towards a society in which individuals have equitable opportunities for occupational engagement.

Cindy P.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee