VOTA is Virginia's leading organization for occupational therapy practitioners and students. VOTA is committed to advocating for and further developing the profession of occupational therapy in our state.

2024-2025 Board of Directors
(Green title is linked to officers email)

Executive Officers

Savanah Howe, OTR/L, QMHP-A
President


Savanah Howe grew up in Virginia and graduated with her master's degree from James Madison University in 2017. She currently works in acute care and inpatient psychiatry for the University of Virginia Health System. Her areas of passion include neurorehab and mental health. She teaches adjunct for James Madison University. Savanah served as the Fundraising chair for 2 years before transitioning to president elect then president. Some of Savanah's favorite occupations include reading psychology and sociology books, hiking, and drinking tea, especially in the company of others. She is looking forward to using her position as president to connect with and elevate the voices of OT practitioners in Virginia!


Lindsey Carter, OTD, OTR/L, QMHP-C






Lauren Andelin, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Secretary


Lauren Andelin is an Assistant Professor and Director of Fieldwork for the Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to transitioning to full time academia in 2020, Lauren worked at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU where she continues to work PRN. She has specialty training in sensory integration and assistive technology and has her AOTA board certification in pediatrics. Lauren received her M.S. in OT from VCU in 2009 and her post professional OTD from VCU in 2018.  Lauren is the mother of three and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, writing, and learning.




Elizabeth Richardson, OTD, OTR/L

Treasurer


Dr. Richardson currently serves as an associate professor and capstone coordinator for the Murphy Deming OT program. During her tenure in higher education, Dr. Richardson has engaged in a wide range of teaching, scholarship, and service activities. She has served as co-director and clinical instructor in the Summer Autism Camp and Interprofessional Autism Clinic where she advocates for the unique role and distinct value of occupational therapy through modeling and instruction of intervention approaches that reflect the core values, attitudes, and principles of OT including an emphasis on play and strengths-based approaches. Her work in interprofessional education and practice in these programs was used as a basis for her doctoral capstone project while completing her post-professional doctoral degree in occupational therapy at the University of St. Augustine. As a mother of four children and grandmother, she values time with her family and also loves to spend as much time as possible in the mountains or on the water exploring outdoor adventures.


Committee Chairs

Shivani B. Vij, Occupational Therapist, OTD, OTR/L

Nominations and Awards


Shivani Vij is a distinguished occupational therapist with over a decade of experience across various settings, including schools, skilled nursing facilities, and inpatient, outpatient, and home health care. She obtained her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy in 2019 from The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Utah. Currently serving as an occupational therapist at Valley Health Home Health in Winchester, VA, Shivani has continuously pursued opportunities to expand her knowledge and expertise in the field.

Her involvement in various scholarly activities evidences her dedication to the profession. During the peak of the pandemic in 2021, Shivani published a peer-reviewed publication that focused on evidence-based strategies for managing long-COVID symptoms, underscoring her expertise in this area. In 2022, she contributed to another peer-reviewed journal that emphasized culturally competent practices for South Asian clients, demonstrating her commitment to advancing the profession while ensuring inclusivity and diversity. Shivani's most recent publication, in 2023, focuses on occupation-based interventions in chronic dyspnea management. Her other interest areas include chronic disease management, aging in place, and community-based rehabilitation.

Shivani is also the recipient of the AOTA 2023 Choosing Wisely Championship Award. This recognition is for practitioners leading efforts for safe, effective, evidence-based care based on the Choosing Wisely recommendations. Shivani is also a peer reviewer of two leading occupational therapy journals, Occupational Therapy International and The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. She is also an external reviewer for the Robert Bing Scholarship for the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). With her extensive experience and dedication to occupational therapy, Shivani is a valuable asset to the healthcare community.


Heidi Hull, OTD, OTR/L

Continuing Education

Heidi R Hull, OTD, MS OTR/L is originally from Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Gannon University in 2002, continued her education at VCU and received a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and graduated in 2004. She then returned for her post-professional OTD to VCU and graduated in 2015. Heidi has spent most of her professional career working in the school systems, private and public. She currently serves as the Lead OT for Albemarle County Public Schools and has a Level 1 Certification in Handwriting Without Tears. Heidi grew up volunteering at a summer camp for children with disabilities and helping the hippotherapy, so working with people with disabilities is in her blood. In her spare time Heidi enjoys spending time with her children, reading, and running.




Jane Hampson

Membership


Jane’s career as a pediatric OT has spanned over 40 years and many diverse settings both in the US and the UK. She has conducted therapy with horses and dogs, in NICUs, schools, clinics, swimming pools and operating rooms. She has always sought opportunities to help parents better understand their children, especially in the presence of sensory issues affecting behavior such as picky eating or emotional regulation. Jane just opened her own practice, Common Senses LLC, in her home in Herndon where she uses her garden and her cat to help create a welcoming and unique sensory experience for her clients. She is excited for this opportunity to serve the profession and its members through VOTA, and is looking forward to growing our membership. Together we are stronger!


    Chelsey Hall

    Communications


    Chelsey is originally from Roanoke, VA and now lives in Richmond with her husband and wild toddler. She works forAllied Instructional Services as one of the Directors of Workforce Management and OT Services CoordinatorShe enjoys providing mentorships and support to the OT professionals contracted with AIS. Her background includes abachelor’s of science in Psychology at Radford University and her master’s of occupational therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition, she graduated from Shenandoah University with her post-professional doctorate. During her educational and professional experiences, Chelsey has worked in a variety of settings and with people of all ages. She has experience working with clients in the public-school setting, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation, early intervention, and pediatric private practice. Chelsey enjoys supporting VOTA and values the networking opportunities provided at conferences along with professional development at the events.


    Vivian Swingle
    Bylaws, Ethics


    Vivian Swingle has a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University. She currently works as a school based OT with Fairfax County Public Schools. Prior to transitioning to the school based setting 10 years ago, Vivian managed the outpatient neurological rehabilitation program at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. She also has experience working in inpatient rehab, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, and in early intervention. In addition to her clinical practice, she has co-taught courses for the COTA program at Northern Virginia Community College and served on their Curriculum Advisory Board. She is looking forward to becoming more involved with VOTA in this new role. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her family. She is the mother of 4 sons and is often volunteering with scouts, and soccer and rugby teams.







    Andrea Adkins
    Fundraising


    Andrea is originally from Albemarle County, Virginia and currently resides in Spotsylvania, Virginia.  She earned Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Business Administration and Economics from Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg) and later earned a Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She works primarily in the Spotsylvania County public school system, and also works in inpatient acute care at Encompass Health in Fredericksburg.  She also has experience working in an outpatient clinic and home-based services.  Andrea enjoys supporting a variety of programs, students, activities, and collaboration in any way she can and is looking forward to helping VOTA continue to grow.  In her free time, she has a passion for line dancing, organizing, making her best attempts at trivia nights, game nights, riding ATVs, and also being home spending time with her family.



    Liaisons/Representatives


    Jacqueline Creekmore 

    Community of Practice Liaison


    Jacqueline “Jacque” Creekmore, M.S., OTR/L, was born, raised and serves the community of Richmond, VA. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008, is active with different roles for VOTA, teaches at local universities, works for adult populations at Bon Secours acute care and OP sites and previously Sheltering Arms Hospital PRN. Her passion, besides providing therapy to geriatric and cardiac populations, is creating more effective, best and safe processes for rehab teams, nursing staff, and the patients. In her spare time she becomes renewed by exploring all things outdoors, like cycling, hiking, camping, traveling, playing with her Weimaraner, reading and watching step-son play sports.




    Stacie Caio

    OTA Representative 


    Angela Geraci

    Engagement Liaison


    Angela Geraci currently works in acute care at the University of Virginia Health System. She earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2024 and her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the College of William and Mary in 2021. Angela previously served as the student liaison for VOTA and is now excited to step into the role of engagement liaison. In this position, she aims to continue her efforts in supporting VOTA members and fostering stronger connections across the Commonwealth. A Virginia Beach native, Angela enjoys paddleboarding, running, practicing yoga, and watching Jeopardy! in her free time.




    Joni Watling, OTD, OTR/L, QMHP-A

    Legislative Liaison


    Joni holds a B.S. in Business Management and Leadership Studies from Shorter University (1998), a Masters in Occupational Therapy from University of Minnesota (2013), and post professional OTD from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (2020). She serves as co-facilitator of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Associations Mental Health Community of Practice and has served as adjunct instructor for numerous undergraduate, masters level, and doctoral OT programs since 2017.  She worked in Acute Care Behavioral Health at the University of Minnesota Medical Center / Fairview in an adult inpatient psychiatric setting for 5 years before relocating to Richmond, Virginia. Since 2018, she has primarily been involved in mental health advocacy, academia, and experiential education in community settings. As founder of Rooted in Function, LLC she has provided consulting services to numerous non-profit organizations in central Virginia with an emphasis on improving quality of life and occupational engagement among the adult and senior populations.  In her spare time, she enjoys water sports, tai chi, yoga, exploring Virginia, traveling throughout the US to visit friends and family, spending time with her husband and playing frisbee with her dog, Maya.  She looks forward to collaborating with others to promote improved recognition of OT in policy and practice. 



    Abby Lemmon, OTD, OTR/L

    VOTA Conference Liaison

    Abby grew up in Southern Maryland and received her OTD from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2023. She currently works in the outpatient clinic attached to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA where she serves children and their families, adolescents, and adults. Abby earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Princeton University in 2018 and has been passionate about the nervous system ever since. Abby brings her love of the brain into the classroom as an educator and into her occupational therapy practice to empower her clients and deepen their appreciation of their unique nervous system. Abby enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors with her black lab mix named Tinley, and reading.



    Morgan Sbraccia, OTS

    Student Liaison


    Morgan Sbraccia is a second year occupational therapy doctorate student at VCU. She graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2022 with a degree in exercise science. Within her program, she is a part of SOTA on the admissions and recruitment board and isthe fundraising chair for Phi Theta Epsilon. “I am excited for the opportunity to take on this position and continue developing connections between VOTA and OT students in Virginia.” After she graduates, she am interested in working with adults or pediatrics in neurorehabilitation, early intervention, and increasing occupational therapy within the foster care system. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing pickleball, reading, and being outdoors 




    District Chairs



    Western District Co-chairs


    Leah Savelyev


    Leah Savelyev is a 2002 graduate of [Jefferson] College of Health Sciences’ Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2016 from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in North Carolina. Leah has held various positions within the adult/geriatric rehabilitation setting including staff OTA, business manager of an inpatient therapy department, and director of outpatient therapy services where she assisted in opening the clinic. She is currently Assistant Professor in the OTA Program at Jefferson College of Health Sciences and teaches a variety of courses including Foundations of the Profession, Kinesiology Lab, Assistive Technology, Physical Dysfunction, and Medical Terminology. When not teaching, Leah also enjoys working in OT in skilled nursing and home health environments. Her personal interests include appreciating the outdoors, watercolor painting, knitting, and being among the company of friends, family, and a very spoiled cocker spaniel.




    Ave Mitta


    Ave initially received a BS degree in OT from East Carolina University (NC) and her MS in OT from San Jose State University (CA). Her clinical experience has been in adult rehabilitation – initially working at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (Fishersville), the VA Medical Center (Salem), Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital, (Roanoke -

     PRN), The Glebe Retirement Community (Daleville - PRN), and with Medical Facilities of America (Roanoke, Salem, Vinton - PRN). After working at the VA Medical Center, she accepted a position as faculty and academic fieldwork coordinator within Virginia’s first accredited OTA Program at Jefferson College of Health Sciences. She currently serves as the OTA program director, previously taught in the BS OT program, and currently co-teaches a MSOT kinesiology course with an OT faculty member. Previously, Ave served as membership chair on the VOTA board, so she is looking forward to returning to the board in her new position - District Co-Liaison, Western District.



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