Kari Casarez is an occupational therapist born and raised in Oklahoma City. She graduated from OUHSC in 2005 with her Master in Occupational Therapy. She currently works as the Director of Occupational Therapy at Sensational Kids, Inc., an outpatient pediatric practice servicing Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. In addition to the clinic practice, Kari currently provides services in four schools within the OKC metro. Kari began the DSc program in June to expand skills for leadership, improve quality of direct services using evidence-based practice, to establish a role in research, to create programs for students with high needs to increase participation and to acquire skills for a role in academia.

Sarah lives in a suburb just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three corgis. She is originally from Rochester, NY. Sarah graduated with her BS and MS in Physical Therapy at the same time in a five-year expedited program in 2008. She started work as an early intervention therapist in NY before moving to Philly, where she worked at a pediatric outpatient facility for four years. After two years, she was contracted to an approved private school for students that are legally blind. From there, she ended up working for four years at a center in Philadelphia that only did evaluations for preschool age students. In 2018, Sarah received her certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and Infant Massage Instruction. In September 2018, she started working at an approved private school with children with the most severed disabilities. Most of her therapy is participation-based; improving the quality of life and providing experiences children may not be able to have in their life due to the severity of their limitations. Learning has always been an integral part of her being and is why she is interested in formally furthering her education. Sarah’s personal goal is to create opportunities for enriching environments to improve the quality of life for students within a school environment. She believes the DSc program will help her gain skills needed to be an effective leader in practice.

Ashley is a pediatric occupational therapist in Tulsa, OK. She grew up overseas in Asia and moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Tulsa. She currently works in the Tulsa public school system and an outpatient clinic. She is pursuing the DSc degree in hopes of increasing her knowledge and ability to increase participation of students in the school setting. Ashley also aspires to teach students in higher education.

Krinai is from Kansas City, MO and is currently a physical therapist for Liberty Public Schools in Liberty, MO. As a grant scholar, she hopes to gain knowledge and skills that she can immediately apply in her practice to become a more innovative and informed leader, mentor, and clinician. She is excited to participate in this program and looks forward to the next few years!

Chelsea is from Grove, Oklahoma and currently lives in Norman, Oklahoma. She is beginning her ninth year at Putnam City Schools, where she has worked as a physical therapist since graduating from the OUHSC physical therapy program in 2011. Through participation and completion of the DSc program, she wants to gain knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to meet the goals she has set for herself as a life long learner, push for change to provide best services for children and families and help prepare future pediatric therapists. She believes knowledge obtained will prepare her for stepping into a leadership role and be a voice of change to advocate for those who may be unable to do so themselves. Eventually, she hope to teach in a physical therapy program and encourage growth in the field of pediatric physical therapy.

Michele applied for the grant program because she would like to impact the way physical therapy is implemented in the school system, challenging the way therapists currently work under the context of IDEA. She hopes to implement programming that will focus on prevention and education, while limiting practices, mandates and dosing that do not seem to impact best outcomes. Michele is a passionate life-long learner. She lives in Astoria, Queens which is directly across the east river from New York City with her spouse and two- year old twins. She works in Long Island City, Queens for the New York Department of Education as a senior Physical Therapist, and also works part-time in women’s health.

Holland Carson is from Tulsa, but currently lives in Oklahoma City. Helping kids advocate for themselves and feel comfortable within their developing environment is the reason she was inspired to pursue an occupational therapy degree. Holland looks forward to working within the pediatric field, and the is excited for the beneficial preparation and exposure this Grant Scholar opportunity will provide.

Taber is from Duncan, OK. He is in the physical therapy program and has really enjoyed the program so far! Taber applied for the grant because he has always been interested in working with children especially in the field of special needs and disabilities. He is very much looking forward to the grant and how physical therapy can be utilized with this population in the future!

Abby is from Oklahoma City and chose to take part in this grant because it has been her dream to give back to public schools since public school gave so much to her. Abby has always had a passion for working with children and helping them to succeed in anything they do. Becoming an occupational therapist is giving her the opportunity to follow through with her dream of working with children, and the grant is giving her the opportunity to give back to schools in an even greater way. She is thankful for this opportunity and looks forward to the next two years!

Lacey grew up on a wheat farm in Ponca City, OK but now resides in Edmond, OK with her husband (Dylan), dog (Apollo) and cat (Buster). She applied to the grant program because it seemed like a great opportunity for the exploration of occupational therapy in a unique setting and with a unique clientele that students may not get the chance to experience before graduation.

Cody was born and raised in Plano, Texas. He moved to Oklahoma in 2011 to pursue a degree in kinesiology and play baseball for Oklahoma Baptist University. After graduating he and his wife, Joli, settled down in Norman, Oklahoma and started their family with a little girl, Linley, in 2017. Cody worked as a fitness manager and exercise physiologist in the corporate fitness industry before returning to school to pursue OT. During his first semester in the MOT program Joli and Cody took custody of her 13 year old brother, Aiden, who is on the Autism spectrum. His experience working and living with Aiden and Linley, working in the fitness world, and shadowing experiences in pediatrics are what motivated Cody to apply for the grant. Cody is incredibly excited about this opportunity and for the OT adventures that await!

Mary is originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma but now calls Edmond 'home'. She is thrilled to be a part of this grant opportunity! Since she discovered OT, she’s been very passionate about working with children with disabilities and feels that working in a school system is one of the best ways she can serve children. Mary can't wait to feel like I'm really "doing" for others -- that is what makes her happiest! Making sure children have access to opportunities to learn is really important to her, and she looks forward to working towards that goal!