In The News

OTD Faculty, Students & Alumni Advancing the Profession

 Bay Path University’s Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) faculty, students, and alumni continue to advance the profession through national and international conference presentations, scholarly research, and peer-reviewed publications. Their accomplishments highlight the strength and impact of our OTD community across healthcare, education, and community settings.

Bay Path OTD Scholars to Present Capstone Research at National AOTA Conference

Bay Path University’s Post-Professional OTD grant scholars will present their doctoral capstone research at the 2026 AOTA Children & Youth Specialty Conference, taking place December 4–5 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This national conference brings together pediatric occupational therapy practitioners to share research, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches to supporting children, families, and schools.

Congratulations to our scholars on their accepted presentations!

• Impact of the All IncludEd Toolkit on Educational Support Personnel’s Knowledge and Understanding of Neurodiversity – Adria Van Asten, MHS, OTR/L
• Occupational Therapy Dismissal during K–12 Education Before Young Adult Transition – Jeanette Kunz, MOT, OTR/L, BCP
• Empowering Hispanic Caregivers of Autistic Children to Advocate for School-Based and Community Supports – Christina Rojas, MOTR/L
• Social and Emotional Learning Through a Holistic Lens: A Continuing Education Course – Charmaine Millar, MSOT, OTR/L
• Equipping Early-Career OTs for Success in School-Based Settings: Evaluation of a Continuing Education Program – Saadatu White, MOT, OTR/L

 The presentation Exploring the Perspectives of OTs in Supporting Student Mental Health: A Phenomenological Approach will also be delivered by OTD alumna Jennifer Denise Cavadas, OTD, OTR/L.

Bay Path University is also proud to sponsor the Friday afternoon coffee break during the conference’s Poster Session and Conversations That Matter presentations.

We congratulate our scholars and alumna on their contributions to pediatric and school-based occupational therapy!

Fall 2026 OTD Capstone Lecture Series

Bay Path University’s Post-Professional OTD program is proud to showcase the scholarly work of 10 doctoral students through its Fall 2026 Capstone Lecture Series, taking place November 2–9.

The series provides an opportunity for doctoral scholars to share their research, knowledge, and experiences with the broader occupational therapy community. Presentations highlight evidence-informed projects addressing school-based practice, neurodiversity, caregiver advocacy, student transitions, and other emerging areas of occupational therapy.

Open to the public, these free, 30-minute presentations offer opportunities for professional learning, discussion, and engagement. Attendees receive a letter of attendance that may be submitted toward professional recertification or licensure renewal requirements, subject to applicable requirements.

Fall 2026 presenters and capstone projects:

• Equipping Early-Career OTs for Success in School-Based Settings: Evaluation of a Continuing Education Program – Saadatu White, MOT, OTR/L
• Factors Influencing Dismissal from Occupational Therapy During Young Adult Transition – Jeanette Kunz, MOT, OTR/L
• Bridging the Gap: Identifying Facilitators and Barriers for Early-Career School-Based Occupational Therapy Practitioners – Kristin Worgess, MOT, OTR/L
• Elementary High-Needs Students and the Continuum of Academic Care: What is the Impact of Out-of-School Programs? – Fay Burgess Backert, MOT, OTR/L
• Empowering Hispanic Caregivers of Autistic Children to Advocate for School-Based and Community Supports – Christina Rojas, MOT, OTR/L
• Social and Emotional Learning Through a Holistic Lens: A Continuing Education Course – Charmaine Millar, MOT, OTR/L
• Empowering Occupational Therapy Practitioners in Supporting Autistic Youth During Transitions – Pei-Shan Hsieh, MOT, OTR/L
• Collaboration Strategies for Contextual Occupational Therapy Services in the School Setting: A Continuing Education Course – Adreana Beaumont, MOT, OTR/L
• AdOpTion Reimagined: Improving OT Competence in Adoption Support – Lauryn Moroney, MOT, OTR/L
• Impact of the All IncludEd Toolkit on Educational Support Personnel's Knowledge and Understanding of Neurodiversity – Adria Van Asten, MOT, OTR/L

Visit our OTD Capstone Lecture Series page to explore presentation topics, meet our scholars, and register for upcoming sessions.

State Conference Presentation

Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA26) Annual Conference | November 2026
Occupational Therapists’ Knowledge, Experiences, and Perceptions Regarding Movement-Based/Physically Active Learning in School Settings – Shannon Trzil, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

International Scholarship

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress | Bangkok, Thailand
The presentation Student Perceptions of Preparedness for Level II Fieldwork in the Acute Care Setting: A Pilot Study will be delivered at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress in Bangkok, Thailand by Dr. Tracy Bentley-Root, OT, DHSc, MS, OTR, OTD Program Director and Associate Professor.

Published Scholarship

The article Childhood Occupational Injustice: A Phenomenological Study of Boys Living in an Institutional Setting was co-authored by OTD alumna Dr. Lindsey Paige Warren, OTD, OTR/L, and faculty member Dr. Julie L. Watson, PhD, OTR/L. It was published online on October 16, 2025, in the Journal of Occupational Science.

Through research, presentations, publications, and professional leadership, Bay Path University’s OTD faculty, students, and alumni continue to advance occupational therapy and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities locally, nationally, and globally.