SOTA Spotlight: Ana Ghislandi, President
Ana is a fourth year Health Science major with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She has served as a Service co-chair on the executive board, putting together service events for members and she loves every minute of it! Her favorite part of being involved in SOTA is getting to attend service events that connect her with the Gainesville community, connecting with other future OTs, and learning more about Occupational Therapy. SOTA has helped her build a close knit community within UF’s massive campus and taught her so much about what it means to be a successful OT. Ana is also an undergraduate research assistant at the Center for Arts in Medicine and shadows occupational therapists through UF Health Shands. She is interested in so many different fields and settings, her plans as a future OT are to explore different settings throughout her career so she can continue to learn more about the profession and expand her clinical skills. If you’d like to know more, Ana can be reached at ghislandia@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Haley Benner, Vice President
Haley is a fourth-year Health Science student with a certificate in Spanish. She has previously served as one of the SOTA social chairs and is excited to serve SOTA members again this year. She is a volunteer in the Positive Transitions to Adulthood lab in the OT department and has shadowed in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers as well as pediatric clinics. She will be applying to graduate school for occupational therapy this year. In her free time, Haley enjoys yoga, knitting, and being with friends. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to her at hbenner@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Corinne Hutchison, Secretary
Corinne is a first year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student. She received a Bachelor of Health Science on the pre-OT track from the University of Florida. She currently serves as the secretary of SOTA and helps serve the organization by keeping track of points and any questions that members may have. Corinne is also involved in the Dean’s Ambassadors Program and works closely with Hands to Love, a camp for children with upper limb differences. Her favorite part of SOTA is being apart of an organization that is full of students who are passionate about occupational therapy. She is interested in hand and upper extremity therapy but is excited to explore more areas of OT throughout her time at UF. If you have any questions please feel to reach out to her at: corinneh@ufl.edu
SOTA Spotlight: Maddie Wallace, Treasurer
Maddie is a third-year Health science major with minors in health disparities and international studies. She is involved in both SOTA and also Cupcakes for a cure, geared towards raising support and awareness for the pediatric health care fund. She enjoys swimming, hiking, and traveling! She has enjoyed the opportunities to meet other like-minded people in her experience thus far with SOTA, as well as the chance to network with the OT staff at UF and OTs within the Gainesville community. She hopes to obtain an OTD and work either in pediatrics or the psychological OT field, specifically with stroke patients. This year, Maddie looks forward to serving as SOTA’s treasurer. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at madisonwallace@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Lindsey Berkowitz, Fundraising Co-Chair
Lindsey is a senior in the Bachelor of Health Science Program. She volunteered with the rehabilitation team at Shands Hospital for three semesters and loves trying out new settings in OT. She is also a member of BHS’s LEAP program, where she serves as a mentor to an undergrad OT student. SOTA gave her the chance to meet likeminded students. She is excited for the new opportunities that come with being a fundraising chair! In her free time, she likes to marathon new shows and take spontaneous day trips. If you ever have questions, reach out to her at lberkowitz@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Savannah Fourqurean, Fundraising Co-Chair
Savannah is a fourth-year Health Science major. She has been a member of SOTA since her sophomore year and is now one of the Fundraising Chairs. She volunteers with IFUS, Inclusive Fitness and Unified Sports, and is also a mentor for BHS’s LEAP program. She has shadowed in various pediatric clinics and in two diverse elementary schools. Savannah will be applying to graduate school this year and aspires to be an OT in a pediatric clinic. In her free time, she loves traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at vannie4q@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Olivia Morand, Public Relations Chair
Olivia is a fourth year Health Science major with a minor in Spanish. She is grateful for SOTA for introducing her to other future OTs and for providing opportunities to get involved in the community and learn from local OTs. Olivia is an assistant coach at Balance 180 in their adaptive gymnastics program for children with disabilities, and she has shadowed in geriatrics at Oak Hammock and in various pediatric settings. She is a section leader for the saxophone section in the UF Marching Band and is a member of Omega Phi Alpha, a service sorority, She is currently applying to graduate school, where she plans to pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. She aspires to be an OT in a pediatric setting and specialize in sensory integration, perhaps in a school setting, and hopefully be able to integrate music into her practice. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at omorand10@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Natalie Baumgarten, Professional Development Chair
Natalie is in her 4th year in the Bachelor of Health Science program. She is also the secretary for the new Wheelchair Basketball Association, a sandwich maker at Jimmy John’s, a prominent member of Catholic Gators, and a player on UF’s Club Ultimate Frisbee Team. For Natalie, SOTA is a great way to get to know like-minded people, who may become some of your best friends, and learn more about how amazing the OT profession is. SOTA taught Natalie how rewarding it is to help someone perform a task they were not able to do before. She plans to apply to various graduate schools and is open to serving people of different ages from all walks of life when she starts practicing, perhaps in-home health. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at nbaumgarten@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Danielle Bellew, Social Co-Chair
Danielle is a senior in the BHS program with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She has volunteered with Shands under an OT in the cardiovascular and neuromedicine wing. She has also participated in Hands to Love this past year and volunteered with IFUS- Inclusive Fitness and Unified Sports in the past. She is also a member of the HPCC- Health Professions College Council. Danielle is grateful for the family SOTA has provided for her. In the future, she hopes to be a pediatric OT. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at dbellew@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Kayla Ramos, Social Co-Chair
Kayla is a fourth year Health Science major with a certificate in Spanish for the Professions. She currently serves as a social chair on the executive board, organizing social events for all the SOTA members, alongside her co-chair. Upon switching to pre-occupational therapy, Kayla joined SOTA last fall and became a part of the Winter Banquet Committee. Being involved in SOTA has helped her learn more about the amazing profession of OT and meet like-minded, passionate people. For the past five semesters, Kayla has also been a part of Inclusive Fitness and Unified Sports (IFUS) as a workout buddy, committee member, and a research assistant through the College of Health and Human Performance. She is excited to explore various settings of OT throughout her career after attending graduate school. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at kayla.ramos@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Sarah Mairs, Service Co-Chair
Sarah is a 3rd year Health Science major with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She recently got accepted to the Accelerated OTD Program at UF! Sarah will be serving as the SOTA Service Co-Chair during the 2019-2020 school year. For the past two years Sarah has volunteered with Inclusive Fitness and Unified Sports encouraging high school students with disabilities to exercise and participate in sports activities. Sarah is also the Volunteer Coordinator for the Wheelchair Basketball Association at UF and absolutely loves practicing with the team and getting to know new players and volunteers! This summer Sarah dedicated her time to the Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation program in Jacksonville, Florida which provides accessible sports and social activities to the Jacksonville disability community. SOTA has helped her solidify her passion for occupational therapy and meet so many driven, energetic, and warm-hearted future OTs. She is so excited to organize and participate in SOTA service events this upcoming year! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her at sarahmairs@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Karen Bruchs, Service Co-Chair
Karen is a third-year Health Science major with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She hopes to enter into a Doctorate program for Occupational Therapy once she is finished with her undergraduate studies. Karen is currently one of SOTA’s new Service Chairs for the 2019-2020 school year. In addition to her work with SOTA, she is a recurring member of another UF organization called Inclusive Fitness and Unified Sports (IFUS), where she maintains the role of a committee member. With IFUS, Karen has been able to have the opportunity to be part of research studying peer impact and a consistent workout program on the overall health and fitness of people with disabilities at the Sidney Lanier Center. In her time outside of UF, Karen is a recreational open water scuba diver, and enjoys working at Walt Disney World as a Lifeguard in her hometown Orlando, FL. If you have any questions, feel free to contact her at karen.bruchs@ufl.edu.
SOTA Spotlight: Danielle Kleinberg, ASD Representative
Danielle is a second year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student here at UF. She got her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Florida, and is happy to be a double Gator. She currently is the student representative of the occupational therapy student body of the University of Florida to the American Occupational Therapy Association. She hopes as ASD representative to use her platform to promote advocacy issues for our clients and the profession. Danielle also serves as the secretary for the OT Equal Access Clinic, where she provides occupational therapy services to uninsured and underinsured clients of Alachua County, and tutors first year OTD students in neuroscience and pathophysiology. Professionally, Danielle is interested in neurological disorders and productive aging. This upcoming summer and fall, She will be going on her Level II fieldwork in Orlando where she will be working with neuro populations in an outpatient and inpatient setting. You can contact her at d.kleinberg855@ufl.edu
SOTA Spotlight: Mackenzi Slamka, ASD Representative
Mackenzi Slamka is a 2nd year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student at the University of Florida. She got her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida in 2018 in Health Science on the Pre-Occupational Therapy track with a minor in Spanish. She is very excited to be serving as one of the Assembly of Student Delegate Representatives this year. In addition to this role, she is on the Events committee for the OTD class and serves as the Marketing and Community Outreach Co-Coordinator for the OT Equal Access Clinic where she also volunteers to provide OT services for individuals in the community who are uninsured or underinsured. Mackenzi is a research assistant in the Positive Transitions to Adulthood Lab in the OT department mentored by Dr. Kreider. Lastly, she works as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for individuals in the community with disabilities. Professionally, Mackenzi is interested in mental health and research. She will be completing one of her Level II Fieldwork experiences at an inpatient care facility in Port Charlotte and for her second placement she will going to Ibarra, Ecuador. You can contact her at mslamka@ufl.edu.