Episode Details

In this special episode, you will be learning from two leading powerhouses in Occupational Therapy leadership, Samia Rafeedie, Samia H. Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, FAOTA (OTAC) on a state level and Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA (AOTA) on the national level. We will learn about their experiences at the AOTA Hill Day event in Washington D.C., where occupational therapy practitioners meet with legislators to advocate for the profession. Both leaders shared their motivations for participating, with Samia highlighting her roles as an OTAC president and professor at USC, while Arameh emphasized her experience as AOTA president and the importance of collective advocacy in areas like mental health, school-based services, telehealth, and Medicare. We are so fortunate to witness our state and national associations in collaboration for OT Representation on Capitol Hill.   You will know exactly what I mean when you listen to this energizing episode. 

Samia H. Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, FAOTA

Dr. Samia Rafeedie is the Director of the Professional Program in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC), and professor of clinical occupational therapy.  She has been on the faculty since 2008 and has primarily taught adult physical rehabilitation, kinesiology, and topics on professional development and association engagement.  Samia has been an occupational therapist for 24 years, with additional practice interests in productive aging and geriatrics, pedagogy and higher education, mentorship, and volunteerism.  She is the President of the Occupational Therapy Association of California, and is invested in strengthening the association by recruiting and maintaining members.  Some of her favorite occupations include spending time with my family, taking trips together and going out to eat for Japanese food (our favorite!).  She also LOVES volunteering for our state association.  It fills her cup!

Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh is a Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy and former Director of Admissions at the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. As the architect of USC Chan’s holistic admissions process, She led transformative efforts that resulted in the most diverse cohorts in the Division’s history—all while preserving rigorous and effective admissions standards. Her leadership has also been pivotal in strengthening recruitment and retention strategies, creating pathway programs, and promoting inclusive pedagogy. A Founding Member and former Chair of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), Dr. Anvarizadeh has been a driving force in advancing justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression within the occupational therapy profession. She is the visionary behind many of COTAD’s cornerstone initiatives, including COTAD Chapters, the COTAD Toolkit, the Ignite Series, and the Fieldwork Task Force. Dr. Anvarizadeh made history as the youngest and the first Black and Iranian woman to serve as Vice President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and to be inducted into the prestigious Roster of Fellows (FAOTA). She made history again with her landslide election as AOTA President, a role she officially assumed in July 2025. In addition to her current role as AOTA President, Dr. Anvarizadeh has held numerous national leadership positions, including Chair of the Credential Review and Accountability Committee (CRAC), me