University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Welcomes Florida’s Occupational Therapy Community to its New St. Augustine Campus for FOTA26
Faculty talks on evidence-based practice and emerging approaches, student research, and USAHS’s Hacking for the
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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Oct. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), a leading graduate-level healthcare education institution, will host the Florida Occupational Therapy Association’s FOTA26 on Nov. 7-8 at its new St. Augustine campus. The two-day event will bring occupational therapy practitioners, educators, researchers and students together for continuing education, professional development and collaboration.
“FOTA has spent years advancing occupational therapy in Florida, and hosting FOTA26 is one way the University continues to help carry that work forward,” said Vivian Sanchez, Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of USAHS. “We are especially proud that our own faculty, FOTA President Antonette Fernandez and Vice President Nichele Brunder, are leading the association during this important time. Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to advancing the profession, advocating for excellence, and furthering FOTA’s mission across the state and beyond.”
FOTA26 offers practitioners and students a forum to explore evolving practices, research, and issues affecting the profession. USAHS will also play an active role in the program, with faculty from its St. Augustine and Miami campuses leading presentations and final-term occupational therapy students showcasing their research.
Through educational sessions and interactive workshops, attendees will explore evidence-based practices, emerging approaches, and issues shaping occupational therapy while earning continuing education credits. Student and professional presentations will connect classroom learning with clinical practice through shared research and new ideas.
“Occupational therapy continues to evolve alongside new research, technologies, and patient needs, and staying current is essential for every practitioner and student in our field,” said Helen Carey, Senior Program Director of Occupational Therapy Programs for USAHS’s Florida campuses. “Welcoming Florida’s occupational therapy community to our campus gives our students and faculty a meaningful opportunity to contribute to that conversation and learn from colleagues shaping practice across the state.”
The conference will also feature Hacking for the Holidays, where USAHS occupational therapy students work alongside local occupational therapy assistant students and a high school robotics team to turn everyday toys into switch-adapted toys for children with disabilities. Approximately 1 in 6 U.S. children ages 3-17 have one or more developmental disabilities, and many traditional toys are not designed with their needs in mind. Switch-adapted toys help close that gap by letting children with limited fine motor control activate toys using larger, easier-to-press buttons. Participants will hand the finished toys to children during the conference, building on a previous USAHS effort that delivered 34 switch-adapted toys.
From educational sessions to the toy build, FOTA26 brings to life this year’s theme, “Shine the Light, Be the Light – Leading Change Through Occupational Therapy,” and reflects USAHS’s commitment to advancing occupational therapy education while making a meaningful impact in the communities it serves.
Register now for FOTA26 on Nov. 7-8 at the USAHS St. Augustine campus: https://www.flota.org/conference
About the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is a graduate institution dedicated to educating, mentoring and inspiring the next generation of health sciences practitioners. The University offers graduate level physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing and Doctor of Education as well as continuing education. Founded in 1979, USAHS has a network of five campuses that span three states—California, Florida and Texas—and is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, (501) 748-9001, www.wscuc.org. The University is transforming society by instructing tomorrow’s healthcare providers to be skilled and confident practitioners. Follow USAHS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok. To learn more, visit: usa.edu/.
Media Contact:
Caroline Hansen, chansen@wearecsg.com
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