It’s no secret that I believe occupation therapy is entering its prevention era.

We are starting to leverage our skillset not after a terrible health incident has occurred, but at the first sign of trouble.

As I imagine this not-too-distant reality, there is one deeply personal area that I am so eager to see us shift our energy toward:

Cancer prevention.

Across the healthcare community, we are learning more and more about the specific lifestyle and environmental factors that put people at a higher risk for cancer. Case in point: My own county in rural Nebraska, where above-average pediatric cancer rates have been associated with high levels of nitrates in our water.

On today’s podcast, we are lucky to be joined by Dr. Jesse E. Bell, one of the world’s leading experts on water and human health and the Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate, and Health in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health.

Dr. Bell—who also is the author of the paper we will discuss during this episode—will help us understand where the science stands on the connection between nitrates and multiple health conditions. We’ll talk through ways the medical community can provide education on these risks—as well as the simple solutions OTs could potentially bring to high-risk families to help address this basic ADL safety concern.

This episode is meant to highlight the cutting edge of what’s becoming possible—where new large datasets on environmental health risks converge with new opportunities in value-based care to create pathways for OTs to intervene earlier than we ever thought possible.

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Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare—and pediatric occupational therapy is no exception.

This course aims to spark your imagination about AI’s potential to strengthen how we support child development. From enhancing your assessments with rich data to making interventions more accessible, AI holds promise for both clinicians and families. This course offers insights into how these innovations are beginning to reshape early childhood developmental support.

In this OT Potential Podcast episode, we welcome Mati Kochavi, founder of Korro AI, to explore the opportunities and challenges of applying AI to your therapy practice. You’ll learn how AI can complement clinical judgment and data tracking, improve the accuracy of milestone monitoring, and provide real-time support for families.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a grounded understanding of AI’s potential in positively supporting child development—and the practical and ethical considerations that therapists must weigh as these tools move into practice.

Whether you are cautiously curious or already excited about integrating AI into your pediatric work, this course will equip you with the knowledge you need to engage confidently with these innovations.

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School-based OTs is one of occupational therapy’s most distinct practice areas. The style of practice and the systems you work within, all take a mindset shift.

Whether you just landed your first school OT job or are a seasoned professional looking to refine how you manage your days, this course will walk you through essential day to day considerations.

You’ll leave more confident about organizing your time, and delivering high-quality care to your students.

Joining us will be returning guest, Bryden Giving. Bryden successfully survived the shift from outpatient OT to school based practice, several years ago and we have so much to learn from him. He is also the editor of the forthcoming book Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy.

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