Debbie Amini Author

Marie J. Morreale, OTR/L, CHT, has been teaching occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students at Rockland Community College, State University of New York in Suffern, since 1998. As an adjunct faculty member, Marie teaches "Professional Issues and Documentation" and "Geriatric Principles." Over the years, she has also taught several other courses in the OTA program including "OT Skills," "Advanced OT Skills," "Therapeutic Activities," and "Advanced Therapeutic Activities." Marie has made significant contributions to curriculum development and also served as interim coordinator of the OTA Program.

Marie graduated summa cum laude from Quinnipiac College (now Quinnipiac University). She has experience working in a variety of occupational therapy practice settings, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, adult day care, home health, cognitive rehabilitation, and hand therapy. Marie has been a certified hand therapist for more than 20 years and also served several years on a home health professional advisory committee, consulting on quality assurance issues. Marie has written or coauthored several other occupational therapy texts, including Developing Clinical Competence: A Workbook for the OTA;The OTA’s Guide to Documentation: Writing SOAP Notes (3rd ed.); and The OTA’s Guide to Writing SOAP Notes (2nd ed.). In addition, she authored a chapter on documentation for The Occupational Therapy Manager (5th ed.), published several occupational therapy articles, and is the author of several online continuing education courses. Marie is active in her church community and enjoys anything travel related.
 
Debbie Amini, EdD, OTR/L, CHT, FAOTA, received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University, her Masters of Education in Curriculum Instruction/Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and her Doctorate of Education in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University.

Dr. Amini joined the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) as Director of Professional Development in 2014. Her previous employment experience includes clinical hand therapy practice, directing an occupational therapy assistant program, and working as an assistant professor of occupational therapy in an Masters of Occupational Therapy program.

Dr. Amini has served in multiple volunteer leadership positions with AOTA, including as Hand Rehabilitation Subsection Coordinator from 2002 to 2005; Physical Disabilities Special Interest Section Chairperson from 2005 to 2008; member of the AOTA’s Commission on Practice from 2008 to 2011; and Chair of the AOTA Commission on Practice from 2011 to 2014.

Dr. Amini was the “Hands On” department columnist for ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners from 1999 to 2011 and “Inside Occupation” from 2011 to 2014. She has authored several articles that have appeared in ADVANCE for Directors in Rehabilitation, the AOTA’s Physical Diabetes Quarterly newsletter, OT Practice magazine, and TheAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy. She has also written several online courses and textbook chapters. She currently serves on the editorial review board for TheOpenJournal of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy in Health Care.

Dr. Amini has presented numerous times at the AOTA, the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association, and American Society of Hand Therapists annual conferences and has conducted multiple 2-day regional workshops.