Alaska Occupational Therapy Association
Alaska Occupational Therapy Association Officers
President:Susan Kaplan
Vice President: Valerie Maeker
Secretary: Kathleen Hansen
Treasurer: Celeste Tydingco
Representative: Ben Bell
Alt. Representative: Robin Lampman
Student Representative: Brittany LaRock 
President:
Susan Kaplan: : Susan has over 30 years of occupational therapy academic, administrative, and clinical experience. She has a PhD in Educational Research, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy. Currently she is the Administrative Dean in the College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and is a member of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Assessment Team in Anchorage. Previously, Susan has served as Secretary for AKOTA. Susan and her family (including 2 dogs and 3 cats) live in Eagle River, and in her spare time she enjoys making glass beads and jewelry, knitting, and quilting.
Vice-President:
Valerie Maeker: Valerie has 16 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She has a Bachelors in Spanish and Occupational Therapy and a Masters in Gerontology. She is currently working on obtaining her post-professional doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. She has spent the majority of her career working in inpatient rehabilitation. She has specialized in neuro rehab and is most passionate about working with clients who have sustained SCIs. She currently works in acute care at Providence Alaska Medical Center and as an adjunct lab instructor at UAA for the Creighton Entry-Level Doctorate Occupational Therapy Program. Valerie and her family have lived in Alaska for the past 1 ½ years. In her “free” time, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and spending time with her four children and husband.
Secretary:
Kathleen Hansen: Kathleen is part of the first graduating class for the Creighton University distance partnership program at UAA. As a student, Kathleen served as the first student board member for AkOTA and was a member of Pi Theta Epsilon, national Occupational Therapy Honors society. Prior to beginning her journey to become an OT, Kathleen received a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and worked in adaptive recreation and adult mental health. Currently Kathleen is participating in a statewide, interdisciplinary program, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) with UAA. Kathleen resides in Juneau with her husband. She enjoys skiing, ice hockey, and traveling.
Treasurer:
Celeste Tydingco: M. Celeste Tydingco originally began her education pursuing pre-med with a heart for pediatrics. She decided to become an occupational therapist when she realized the fantastic opportunity for relationship and therapeutic use of self, unique to this profession. After receiving her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Washington and SIPT certification she has had the pleasure of working with many children all over the state of Alaska and the folks in her own hometown of Sitka.
AOTA Representative:
Ben Bell: Ben has been a member of AKOTA since 2001 and has also served in the past as the Treasurer. He is employed as an Occupational Therapist at Providence Hospital Outpatient Therapy where he works with adults with neurological and orthopedic injuries. Ben is excited to serve as the Representive to the Assembly for Alaska and looks forward to getting your input on many of the upcoming issues.
AOTA Alternate Representative:
Robin Lapman: Robin is an occupational therapist at North Star Therapy in Soldotna.
Student Representative:
Brittany LaRock: Brittany is a second year doctoral student in the Creighton University/UAA occupational therapy program. She is active on various committees and student government within the university. Upon graduation her interests include pediatrics, aquatic therapy, health and wellness, and spinal cord injuries. In her free time she enjoys running, biking, cooking, and travel with her husband and dogs.
