Meet the experts

Dr. Thomas F. Fisher has been an occupational therapist for 45 years. He has held various leadership positions in clinical practice, higher education, and in the professional organization of AOTA, most notably as the Vice President. He became a certified case manager in 1994 (almost 30 years) after successfully passing the certification examination for case managers. 

Dr. Fisher is a retired dean and Professor Emeritus of Indiana University. He is a well-established practitioner, educator, researcher, and administrator. His lines of inquiry are professional education, work & industry, health policy, and applied research with neurological, musculoskeletal, occupational health, and safety with adults. On the topic of Work, Dr. Fisher has multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters.

In 2016, Thom was the recipient of the AOTA Award of Merit. This is the highest award given to an occupational therapist through AOTA. It was in recognition of his significant contributions to the profession. At the 2017 AOTA Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia, Dr. Fisher was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Occupational Therapy in its first 100 years as a profession. It is believed that less than 60 are still living. Needless to say, he is an expert in occupational science and occupational therapy.

Arlene A. Schmid, PhD, OTR, FAOTA is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University. Dr. Schmid has been an occupational therapist for over 25 years and a rehabilitation scientist for nearly 20 years. Dr. Schmid has a long and extensive research history in rehabilitation research. The majority of her research studies have focused on the development and testing of interventions for people with neurological-based disabilities, such as stroke and brain injury. She has focused much of her research trajectory on the study of the benefits of yoga interventions for people with disabilities, and most recently she and her team have begun to merge yoga and occupational therapy or education.

Gina is a New Jersey Licensed occupational therapist. She has focused her career on animals helping people, nature-based therapy and family supportive services: providing a unique view of health and healing.

She is the owner of Epona Therapy Services, LLC, Adjunct professor for Raritan Valley Community College OTA program in pediatrics and mental health and a Faculty member of the American Hippotherapy Association. Her therapy focus is nature-based therapy, integrating horses in occupational therapy and early care services. She provides consultation and support to families, teachers and other professionals who want to include nature when working with children and serves as a resource for those who want to pursue a career that has a nature and healing focus.