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Meet the 2008 Officers
President:
Jean Keckhut, OTR/L,CHT has been the president of
AKOTA since 2004. She graduated from Wayne State University with a
BS in Occupational Therapy in 1995 and received her certification in
hand therapy in 2000. Jean grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan
where her family still resides. After graduation, she worked in
home health, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab and acute care in a
variety of states and then was “lured” to Alaska in 2000. She is
currently the lead therapist for the wonderful group of therapists
at Alaska Hand Rehabilitation, LLC. Although she has her pilot’s
license and enjoys any type of adventurous outdoor activities, she
can’t help but ski as often as possible this year (awesome snow!).
In the next two years, Jean hopes to bring Alaska’s OT community
even closer by promoting mentorship programs, encouraging continuing
education, and fostering leadership in our newer members.
Vice-President:
Winnie Hill, OTR/L has been the vice-president of AKOTA since 2004. Winnie
originally grew up in Brooklin, Maine (she swears that “lobstah” is
the correct pronunciation) and moved to Fairbanks, AK in 1979.
Winnie left Alaska in 1985 but returned, with her family, to Eagle
River, AK in 1990. She is now working as a school-based OT in the
Matanuska Valley School District. Winnie has worked in settings
that have included rehabilitation, home health, mental health and
pediatrics. As the VP, Winnie is responsible for planning our
continuing education events and continues to do a wonderful job!
Secretary:
Shannon Craig,
OTR/L has been the secretary of AKOTA since 2006. She was born
and raised in Anchorage, AK. Shannon received a BS in
Speech/Communications Disorders from the University of Texas at
Austin and then returned to Anchorage to work in retail and public
relations before returning to school for OT. She graduated from
University of Southern California in 1999 with MA in Occupational
Therapy and has been employed with the Anchorage School District
since 1999. Shannon and her husband Charlie have been married since
2001 and now have twin daughters named Natalie and Sadie (8 months
old).
Treasurer:
Peter VanDyne, OTR/L grew up in Sitka, AK. He earned his a
Biology degree in 1986, then a MOT degree at Texas Women's
University in 1990. Peter has worked in a variety of
settings--primarily in acute care hospital settings and home
health. For the past 4 years Peter has worked at Alaska Psychiatric
Institute. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, running, water
skiing, traveling, and playing piano. Peter and his partner Chris
have been together for 18 years and live in Anchorage with their 2
golden retrievers.
AOTA Representative:
Pauline Bennett-Gannon, OTR/L has served in many
capacities with the association and provided leadership as President
for several terms. She is a long time therapist with the
Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District.
AOTA Alternate Representative:
Liz Dowler Ph.D., CPE, OTR/L, CRC
is co-owner of D&W Rehab, Inc. where she specializes in forensic
rehabilitation and workers compensation. She continues to provide
consultation to Situs Ergonomics and practices part-time as an OT at
Alaska Healing Arts specializing in orthopedic and repetitive motion
injuries. She teaches Ergonomics at the OT Dept. at Pacific
University. She is currently semi-retired and retreats to her house
on the Kenai River every other week.
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