History

Date

Event

• OTAC celebrates OT’s Centennial with float in 2017 Rose Parade.
• OTAC Membership 2,777.
• Heather Kitching elected President.

• Legislative Receptions held locally in Regions. Advocacy continues at state level.
• Pat Nagaishi President (2012-2016)

• SB189 & SB821 signed into law mandating licensure for OTAs in California.
• OTAC Committees restructured.
• Public Service Announcement released.
• Member benefit myOTlicense introduced

• OTAC holds first Advocacy Day at Annual Conference.
• Presence on social media begins including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Twitter.
• Online continuing education offered.

• Karen Polastri hired as OTAC Executive Director. New logo, website and online newsletter created.
• OTAC Board adopts AOTA Centennial Vision Statement.
• Five year Strategic Plan developed.
• Shawn Phipps President (2008-2012)

• Chuck Strauch retires after 22 years as OTAC Executive Director.
• OTAC contracts with Association Resource Center & relocates office.

• First OTAC Spring Fling No Frills Conference held (now named Spring Symposium).
• Richard Bookwalter President (2006-2008)

• Ad Hoc Reorganization Committee formed.
• OTAC restructures from 15 Chapters to 5 Regions.
• Christine Wietlisbach President (2004-2006)

• OTAC moves to new office.
• OTs begin to receive licenses.
• Melissa Szamet President (2002-2004)

• SB1046 signed into law mandating licensure for OTs in California.
• CBOT established with counsel from OTAC.
• Diane Josephs President (2000-2002)

• Lobbyist hired, senator authored licensure bill, SB1287 defeated.
• Board adopts Vision Statement.
• Luella Grangaard President (1998-2000)

• First student serves on Board. OTAC publishes OT Aide Training Manual.
• Susan Smiley President (1996-1998)

• OTAC holds first Sacramento Day to promote licensure.
• OTAC is invited to attend a reception for President Bill Clinton.

• Board passes budget for first time.
• Linda Reed President (1994-1996)

• Revised Scope of Practice adopted.
• Broadened Trademark Law AB1852 signed.
• Brenda Collins President (1992-1994)

• The Great Grassroots Campaign was developed to connect key legislators with OTs on health care issues.
• Negotiated with PT Association to pave way for licensure.

• Long Range Plan revised stating OTAC will be a viable organization meeting member needs.
• Janet Jabri President (1990-1992)

• OT Scope of Practice as defined by the Licensure Task Force adopted by OTAC Board of Directors.
• Ardith Breton President (1988-1990)

• Chuck Strauch hired as OTAC’s first full-time Executive Director & Lobbyist.
• OTAC Office moves two blocks from Capitol.

• OT Scope of Practice SB103 defeated.
• OTAC President–Elect position created.
• Diane Hendricks President (1984-1988)

• Doug Fowler becomes first OTAC Executive Director.
• AB1145 combining licensure & continuing education dropped.
• Mary Evert President (1980-1984)

• OTAC contracts with AK Associates to provide management services.
• Doris Cutting President (1978-1980)

• First OTAC Long Range Plan developed to include increasing understanding of OT and improving quality of practice.
• Trademark Law passed to protect the title of Occupational Therapy.

• North (NCOTA) & South (SCOTA) merge to create OTAC with 15 Chapters.
• First licensure bill vetoed.
• OTAC founding membership 170.
• Mary Lou Hymen elected as first President (1976-1978)