Three Trojans on the ballot in AOTA’s 2024 elections
January 29, 2024

Editor’s Feb. 26 update: Anvarizadeh, Bream and Edwards have each won their races for volunteer leadership positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association, according to election results released today. They will assume their respective roles beginning July 1. Congratulations, and Fight On!

USC Chan faculty members Arameh Anvarizadeh and Sarah Bream, and alumnus Bryant Edwards MA ’05, OTD ’06, are running for volunteer leadership positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association. The 2024 election period is open from Feb. 2–23 at aota.org (membership required). The three candidates explain, in their own words, why they are seeking elected office and how they each see themselves impacting the future of the national professional association.

Arameh Anvarizadeh for President-Elect

Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy and current vice president of AOTA
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“Getting back to basics in what AOTA does and can do is vital. Embracing our critical role in advocacy and AOTA’s governance function is necessary to expand our reach as a profession. As your President, we will raise up AOTA and its members through measures of building an OT community where we can all feel we have a voice in our Association.” Read Anvarizadeh’s full statement at AOTA’s election website.

Sarah Bream for Board Director

Associate Chair of Operations, Community Partnerships and Development; Director of the Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Program; and Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
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“Visionary leadership is needed to renew and re-ignite the passion within the profession; to ensure advocacy at its fullest capacity; and to ensure that people of all ages, abilities, and lived experiences have access to occupational therapy services and may participate fully in life.” Read Bream’s full statement at AOTA’s election website.

Bryant Edwards MA ’05, OTD ’06 for Board Director

Executive Director, Rehabilitation & Professional Services at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; and current Occupational Therapy Association of California President
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“Ensuring we are inclusive of diverse experiences and viewpoints is pivotal in making informed decisions. I recognize the responsibility of this role, and the faith I am asking you all to place in me. I want to emphatically state that I love this profession, and I am committed to protecting and promoting OT!” Read Edwards’ full statement at AOTA’s election website.

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