Board of Directors |
Erin Clemens
President
Erin Clemens, OTR/L, BCP, CIMI currently serves as the President of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association until her term ends in July 2018.
Holly Timberline, M.S., OTR/L
Vice President
Holly loves a problem - especially when there's an inventive and effective solution! That's why she finds occupational therapy so rewarding.
Holly started OT school after 20 years of raising children, during which time she also worked as a writer/editor and performing arts teacher. Her experiences have transferred well to her practice, giving her strong communication skills and a playful, creative approach to clients. Holly earned her MSOT from VCU in December 2016, and completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in disability leadership this May.
Holly was awarded the Patty Maurer scholarship for highest ranked incoming applicant when she started OT school. She was awarded the Katherine Lawrence Dragas scholarship during her second year for showing promise in pediatric OT. She was recognized by the Center for Interprofessional Education for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration during her coursework, and was selected by her classmates for the C.A. Kooiman award, for demonstrating creativity, leadership and forward thinking.
During OT school Holly served as VOTA's Student Liaison to the Board for two years. In that capacity, she founded a statewide panel comprised of student representatives from Virginia's OT/ OTA programs, and developed a strategic plan for using networks between students, educators and professionals to support growth and development of Virginia's OTs and OTAs.
Holly would be honored to continue serving VOTA as Vice President. She offers a deep commitment to the association, a genuine passion for the field itself, and a unique perspective that comes from being a "Gen X" -er who went through school with millennial.
Stacie Argade OTS/OTAS
Secretary
Jacqueline Cherry, M.S., OTR/L
Treasurer
Jacqueline “Jacque” Cherry, M.S., OTR/L, graduated in 2008 from Virginia Commonwealth University Occupational Therapy Master’s degree program. Since then, she has been employed with Sheltering Arms, working on the weekdays at the St. Mary’s Hospital location and PRN at the Hanover Inpatient Rehabilitation site. After five years, she was promoted to the St. Mary's team lead position. Her passion remains above all, providing occupational therapy to the geriatric and cardiac populations. After being an Aunt and playing with her dog, she then spends spare time giving back to the OT community by participating in VOTA.
Vail Weiglein
Blue Ridge District Chair
Bernadette O'Donoghue
Capital District Chair
In what has probably become one of the best decisions she has ever made, Bernadette quit her job to go back to school and become an occupational therapist. She graduated from the University of Buffalo’s BS/MS program in occupational therapy in 2013. She now works in adult rehabilitation at HealthSouth of Petersburg, and does PRN work at Johnston Willis Hospital in Midlothian, VA. She is currently working towards advanced certification in stroke recovery and has been active on the advisory board for Virginia College. She has served on the board for the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association since July, 2014.
Cody LaRue
Capital District Chair
Cody LaRue- graduated from VCU MSOT program in 2012. Currently working as Senior OT and FW Coordinator at HealthSouth Petersburg and PRN at Colonial Heights Health Care Center.
Paige Johns, OTD, OTR/L
Northern District Chair
Tina Craft
Southeastern District
Annie Hsu
Southeastern District Secretary
Tara Morris, MOT, CLT, OTR/L
Western District
Mary Bennett, MOTR/L
Western District
I graduated from Radford University's Master of Occupational Therapy program in December 2015. I am currently working as an occupational therapist for PRA, providing services to the children in Floyd County Schools. I am excited to be a part of VOTA and connect with other professionals in the state. What an honor to help serve others and make a difference in the world!
Jan Emerick-Brothers
Nominations and Awards
Jan Emerick-Brothers has been a practicing Occupational Therapist for 38 years and counting. 35 of these years have taken place in Virginia! She is currently co-chair of the Scholarships and Awards committee. In the past she has also held the following positions with VOTA: founder and chair Northern District, Secretary and School System Liaison. In addition she held the presidency of the Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy, when the first law was passed to protect consumers of Occupational Therapy in Virginia. She thinks of VOTA as "extended" family, and is currently working to pay forward all the good things that she has enjoyed over her years with the organization.
Sheila Krajnik, MS, OTR/L
Continuing Education
Holly Brown
Fundraising
I am a graduate of The Medical College of Georgia and have been involved with VOTA since 1989. Currently I work in the south central region of Virginia in Home Health.
Lauren Carter Smith, OTR/L, CBIS
Membership
Gretchen Ward
Communications
Gretchen is excited to take on the role of Communications chairperson for VOTA. She has been a practicing OT for 7 years with a BA from the University of Virginia in English and Biology and a MS in OT from Columbia University. A native of Northern Virginia, Gretchen recently moved back to Manassas from New York City where she worked in the school system and as an early intervention therapist. While in New York, she served on the Board for the Metropolitan District of the New York Occupational Therapy Association. In addition, Gretchen has presented at local, national, and international OT conferences. In addition to membership in VOTA, Gretchen is a member of AOTA and the Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists. Gretchen is currently working at Grafton Integrated Health Network in Winchester.
Kirstin Eddy
Bylaws, Ethics
Alesha Kelley
OTA Liaison
Erin Quigley
School System Liaison
Julia Hoffman
VOTA Student Liaison
Julia Hoffman is looking forward to starting her second year in Radford University’s MOT program and serving as the VOTA Student Representative for her class. She is from Lynchburg, Virginia and received her BS in Communications and Media Studies at Radford University.
Julia’s experience volunteering with The Founders Center of Commonwealth Autism, as well as skills she developed through years of coaching, have influenced her devotion to becoming a pediatric occupational therapist. She is taking in and enjoying every moment of fieldwork and her courses. Julia hopes to expand her knowledge and advocacy efforts through her role with VOTA.
Kelsey Barbour
International Liasion
Hannah Fauber
James Madison University
Laurie Seril
NOVA Community College
Katherine Kelley
NOVA Community College
Julia Hoffman
Radford
Kody Stewart
Radford
Kathy Boykin
South University - Richmond
Samantha Barham
VA College - Richmond
Dianne Simons, PhD, OTR/L
VOTA Legislative Liasion
Nancy Krolikowski
AOTA Representative
2012 - 2016 Michele Stoll
2010-2012 Amanda Leo
2006-2010 Grace Williams
2002-2006 Rebecca Argabrite Grove
2000-2002 Jan Chmela
1998-2000 Judie Smith
1996-1998 Jean Hearts
1194-1996 Chestina Brolier
1993-1994 Sharon Brandenburger
1988-1992 David Hynes
1984-1988 Fran Olsen
1983-1984 Jayne Shepherd
1982-1983 Bette Burton
1981-1982 Valerie Young
1980-1981 Ruth Meyers