Meet the three Trojans running for national association office
January 10, 2020

Editor’s note: On Jan. 30, results of AOTA’s 2020 elections were made available online (AOTA member log-in required), and each of the three USC Chan candidates won their respective races. Fight On!

Faculty members and student are hoping to make a difference in 2020 and beyond.

Two USC Chan faculty members, Yasi Amanat and Katie Jordan, and one graduate student, Janis Yue, are running for volunteer leadership positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association. We asked the three qualified and passionate candidates to explain why, in their own words, they are seeking elected office in the national professional association.

Yasi Amanat for the State of California’s Representative to the Representative Assembly

“My experience in clinical practice has allowed me to understand how policy has impacted occupational therapy across various settings. Serving as an assistant professor and practicing as a clinical occupational therapist at Keck Medical Center, I have witnessed how standards and policies have impacted an extensive academic hospital, occupational therapy education, and clinical practice.

My passion for advocacy and the profession’s priorities will contribute to efforts of the assembly to serve as the responsible body for establishing and influencing professional standards and policies. I hope to support and guide California constituents in developing motions, as well as sharing RA business with them. I have a clear understanding of the importance of involvement, advocacy and collaboration, and feel that, if elected, I will be an influential and committed member to the Representative Assembly.”

Katie Jordan for Director to the Board of Directors

“The AOTA Board must lead with transparency, boldness, and courage to operationalize the five pillars of Vision 2025. As a practitioner, an administrator and an educator at an academic medical center, and volunteer leader in state and national associations, I have seen firsthand the challenges we face. But I have also seen the limitless capacities within our profession.

We need to unify around critical issues like educational entry points and threats to reimbursement for essential occupational therapy services. Having served as AOTA Advisor to the American Medical Association’s Relative Value Update Committee, I negotiated with stakeholders to protect and enhance reimbursement for our services. I have created opportunities at local and national levels to demonstrate our distinct value in traditional and emerging models of practice and payment. I look forward to serving and empowering our profession for the good of all!”

Janis Yue for Student Representative to the Commission on Education

“I am running for AOTA Student Representative to the Commission on Education with the aim of bringing a student-centered, justice-focused perspective to the COE’s decisions about education-related policy. I believe that these decisions have the power to impact the ways future practitioners approach health and well-being, thus ultimately affecting the ways our clients are served.

Specifically, I hope to increase integration of AOTA’s Vision 2025 Pillar of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity within the curriculum through increased discussions about health justice, climate justice and other issues affecting marginalized communities.”

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