Principal Investigator
o Sue Baptiste is the Principal Investigator for the Ontario OTepp Program and Co-Principal Investigator for the National Program. Sue is an occupational therapist and Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University. She immigrated to Canada from the UK in 1968 and has since influenced Canadian occupational therapy through her innovative approaches to practice, leadership, education and research. An internationally renowned leader in problem-based education, Sue has facilitated the development of problem-based, self-directed learning across many disciplines. Sue has also contributed significantly to faculty development and curriculum reform, client-centredness and evidence-based professional practice. Being an immigrant herself, Sue is passionate about enabling other new Canadians to find a path to integration into professional work in Canada.

National Research Assistant
Marie-Christine Beshay is currently working full time as the National Research Assistant with OTepp. Marie-Christine is an occupational therapist who completed her entry-level training at the University of Ottawa. She is in the process of completing her post-professional master’s degree at Dalhousie University. Clinically, she has worked in the community with a pediatric clientele and in acute care with older adults.

National & Ontario Curriculum Lead
o Shaminder Dhillon is an occupational therapist and Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University. Shami completed her post-secondary education at McMaster University in Biochemistry with a minor in the Theme School on International Justice and Human Rights (1999), Occupational Therapy (2001) and Rehabilitation Science (2006). Her thesis examined the role of occupational therapists in advocating with/for people with disabilities. Clinically, she has provided occupational therapy services in the areas of forensic psychiatry and disability management. Shami is taking the lead on curriculum development for the OTepp.

Ontario Project Manager
o Leah Dix is an occupational therapist and Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University and is the Ontario Project Manager for the OTepp Program. Leah completed her post-secondary education at McMaster University in Science (1994), Occupational Therapy (1996) and Rehabilitation Science (2007). Her thesis examined the meaning of mentorship for occupational therapists. Clinically, she has provided occupational therapy services within the third party payer system. Leah has also worked on several other research projects at McMaster, conducting assessments, interviews and as a research assistant.

British Columbia Project Manager
Michael Lee is an internationally educated occupational therapist (IEOT) who immigrated to Canada 20 years ago. Worked with people living with long term mental illness, Michael’s clinical work focuses on enabling people living with mental illness to return to productive occupation. As a Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at University of British Columbia, he coordinates the curriculum of the Master of Occupational Therapy program and also teaches course with the program. Being an IEOT, Michael is passionate in supporting IEOTs to integrate to the OT workforce in Canada.

National Clerical Lead
Nancy Lidstone coordinates registration of participants and is the national clerical lead for the OTepp Project.

Ontario Research Assistant
Colleen McGrath is an occupational therapist and part time research assistant with OTepp. Colleen completed her post-secondary education at McMaster University in Health Studies and Gerontology (2006) and in Occupational Therapy (2008). Colleen will be returning to school in the fall to complete her PhD. Clinically, she is working part time providing occupational therapy services within the third party payer system.

Research Assistant
Pat McMahon is an occupational therapist who recently completed the formal re-entry process in order to return to clinical practice after having been away for several years. She works part-time at St. Peter’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario and is also a research assistant and placement coordinator for OTepp. In addition to her formal work, Pat is a strong advocate for students with learning differences.

National Project Manager
Elizabeth Steggles is an occupational therapist who immigrated to Canada in 1981. She is an Assistant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University and is the National Project Manager for OTepp. Elizabeth’s clinical work has focused on accessibility and the use of assistive technology to enhance autonomy for people with disabilities. Elizabeth has developed and managed services in both public and not-for-profit organizations.

Principal Investigator
Claudia von Zweck is the principal investigator for the National OTepp Project and executive director of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), a national voluntary professional association representing over 7700 members across Canada. In addition to her Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy , she holds a Master's degree in Community Health and Epidemiology and a doctorate in Rehabilitation Science from Queen's University , Kingston , Canada . Prior to coming to CAOT in 1995, Claudia worked in health care administration as well as an occupational therapist in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers, home care and a regional children's treatment center. Claudia has led a number of additional national projects to assist internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs) with working in Canada. The projects include an environmental scan of issues influencing workforce success of IEOTs, the development of an IEOT access and registration framework and creation of the www.gocanadaot.com web portal for IEOTs.