College of Education and Health Professions Hosts Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association Conference

The U of A's College of Education and Health Professions recently hosted the 2026 Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association (AROTA) conference, bringing together practitioners, educators and students from across the state, all united by a common goal of strengthening the profession.

The conference focused on essential tools for success in the field, networking opportunities for growth, legislation affecting occupational therapy in Arkansas and current research being conducted statewide.

"We hope participants were able to collaborate and work on solutions to problems in the field and connect to learn from one another," said Shaina Meyer, planning chair for this year's conference and a clinical instructor in the college's Occupational Therapy doctoral program. "I hope everyone left saying 'I learned, I played, and I connected with new people.'"

Practitioners, educators, students, researchers and leaders shared their expertise with the occupational therapy community at the conference. The presentations and workshops were designed to be highly interactive, with topics that included aging in Arkansas, challenges faced by parent caregivers and effective strategies for enhancing the wellbeing of occupational therapy students. Several pre-conference workshops were offered, including 3D printing for therapeutic interventions and CarFit, an educational program designed to help older adults stay safer in their vehicles.

The conference also provided a platform to recognize outstanding individuals in the profession through the 2026 Excellence Awards. These awards honor those who have demonstrated outstanding contributions, qualities and impact in occupational therapy. U of A awardees included Meyer, Most Outstanding Academic Educator, and MaryAnn Talley, Most Outstanding Occupational Therapy Student.

Steven Wheeler, head of the college's Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, said the conference was successful in terms of attendance, the variety of presenters and networking opportunities.

"I think the conference provides a platform for schools to come together and think about how we can partner for the profession and to make the profession better," he said. "All the schools benefit when the profession is stronger in Arkansas. We have this shared goal of promoting the profession, and we get to build those critical connections at conferences like this one."

Echoing Wheeler's sentiments, Holly Hertzberg, president of the AROTA executive board and an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, highlighted the importance of connection among professionals in the field.

"A lot of times, we operate in silos with our schools and aren't as connected as we could be," she said. "This conference is really just about bringing people together and realizing our similarities and how we can connect and help one another. We really hope people leave feeling motivated with new ideas and connections with people they've never met before. We really hope people are re-energized to practice and be the best OT students and practitioners they can be."