Denise is the current MiOTA Advocacy Director and MiOTA Bylaws Ad Hoc Chair and has been an active MiOTA member for over 14 years. She began volunteering for MiOTA out of a need to fill a gap on the advocacy committee and quickly developed a passion for public policy. Denise graduated from Central Michigan University and then attended Western Michigan University and Quinnipiac University, earning her post-professional clinical doctorate OT degree. Over the past 24 years, Denise has worked in various pediatric settings, including school-based, early intervention, outpatient, hospital-based, as well as private practice (managing her clinic). Over the past eight years, Denise has developed and taught pediatric, animal-assisted therapy, and advocacy coursework in higher education and enjoys supporting student advocacy activities such as SOTA.
Denise continues to serve on numerous organizations locally, nationally, and internationally, supporting and increasing awareness and education for needs impacting the OT profession and community. She serves as an executive board member for Reins of Life, a South Bend, Indiana, therapeutic riding facility. She volunteers as a Parent Mentor and Family Committee Member for Feeding Matters, a non-profit international feeding organization supporting families and professionals. Additionally, Denise is a member of the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association and a member of their advocacy committee. Furthermore, Denise maintains dual licensure in Michigan and Indiana and is a member of AOTA. She volunteers on the AOTA Literacy and Mealtime Community of Practices. Denise volunteers in her community, providing literacy tutoring support, animal-assisted therapy programming, and faith-based volunteering. Lastly, she is a Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MI-LEND) mentor (MiLEND). This interdisciplinary leadership training program prepares Michigan's emerging leaders to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents.
Over the past 22 years, Denise has advocated for her son, who was born at 28 weeks gestation with a brain bleed, resulting in speech issues and medical, nutrition, and mental health complications. This has motivated her to use her voice to speak up and stand up to advocate, educate, and support her son and family. She aims to continue working with families and coaching them on advocating for their families.
One voice can be heard, but things happen when two or more voices speak up. Stand up and advocate today for you, your clients, and your profession.
