OT Across America: 12 interviews with OTRs and COTAs all across the U.S.

On this page, you’ll find a complete list of the 12 interviews that are part of the OT Across America series. Click the links below to be taken to the interview:

1. Springfield, IL with Tiffany, Kylie, and Ashley
2. St. Louis, MO with Natalie Flaugher, OTR/L
3. Kansas City, MO with Maria Lindbergh OTR/L
4. Kansas City, KS with Ashleigh Heldstab, OTR/L
5. Boulder, CO with Kimberly Kearney + Team
6. Fort Collins, CO with Krista Covell-Pierson
7. Carbondale, CO with Mandy Chamberlain OTR/L
8. Scottsdale, AZ with Brenna and Andrea
9. Phoenix, AZ with Phyllis Khao, OTR/L
10. Tucson, AZ with Heidi Carpenter, OTR/L
11. Austin, TX with Steve Broes, COTA/L
12. New York, NY with Tara Rudkoski, OTR/L

What is OT Across America?

Last fall, I traveled with my husband Brad for 8 weeks in an RV across the U.S. We visited 16 states in all and we met so many awesome and inspiring OTs and COTAs along the way.

Whenever we had an opportunity to meet members of the community, we wanted to get to know them and what their experiences are like in their part of the U.S.

It was eye-opening to hear first hand about the different paths each person took, where they are in their career, what they love about occupational therapy, what they struggle with, and what their goals are for the future.

About the Interviews

We had the chance to meet up with more than 20 OT practitioners during our trip, and all of the interviews are available on the blog!

We met new OTs like Ashleigh who loves her job and is building her neuro-based home health clientele. We were inspired by incredible entrepreneurs like Krista Covell-Pierson who built a thriving mobile outpatient practice that employs more than 50 people. We sat down with OT rockstar Mandy Chamberlain of the Seniors Flourish podcast to get a look behind the scenes. We had lunch with Steve Broes who amazed us with his successful career as a new COTA in Austin.

And those are just a few examples of OT Across America. Every OT practitioner we met had a remarkable story, so I hope you’ll take the time to read each person’s interview here.

Thanks to our participants!

I want to extend a special thanks to all the OTs and COTAs that reached out and were willing to meet and share their story. I believe that by sharing our stories with each other, our profession can grow and we can inspire each other and grow our passion for OT.

OT Across America: Part 2:

If we missed you this time around, stay in touch for Part 2 happening this Fall. More interviews to come!