Board Member Bios

PRESIDENT: Corrin Campbell, BS, COTA/L (Term 2020-2024)

Corrin Campbell, the first COTA/L to be elected as ConnOTA President, has worked in a variety of practice areas including home health, subacute, outpatient, Geri-psych and LTC in an array of capacities. Her goal in every setting is to facilitate the highest level of participation in the occupations of her clients. After spending nearly a decade working in the clinical setting of Occupational Therapy, she transitioned into higher education. Corrin touched the lives of many students as an instructor, Fieldwork Coordinator and Program Director. She continues to work with and mentor former and current students. Most recently she has returned to her first love, leading and capacity building with care partners and families alongside persons experiencing cognitive change.

Corrin held the position of Member for Public Affairs within ConnOTA prior to being elected as the current president. An avid student herself with a desire to stay current with treatment and policy trends, she has attended numerous topic specific conferences, ConnOTA and AOTA conferences as well as the ALC and NEOTEC meetings while in higher education. Her continued desire to teach has led her to giving presentations for the Alzheimer’s Association, ConnOTA and many nursing home and physicians groups on topics related to the early identification and intervention for individuals  experiencing cognitive changes. Notably, Corrin has partnered with Dr. Margarita Reyes for her yearly education series. In addition to her COTA licensure, Corrin has received formal training in the areas of dementia care, vestibular rehab, cardiac rehab and low vision.

Corrin holds a BS in Early Childhood Development from Charter Oak College and an AAS in Occupational Therapy Assisting from Briarwood College.

VICE PRESIDENT - Amy Burton, OTD, OTR/L (Term 2020-2024)

Amy Burton, OTD, OTR/L is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Western New England University.  Prior to her current position, she worked in school-based therapy and administration for 19 years.  She received her doctorate from Quinnipiac University in 2015.  Amy was a contributing author to the Guidelines for Occupational therapy in Connecticut Schools (2017) and currently is on the task force for the CT Scope of Practice.  Her current research interests include OT practitioners' role in supporting Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the schools.  Amy is excited to assist with conference planning and eagerly lends her organizational skills with the team. 

TREASURER - Kristina Krsiak, OTD, OTR/L (Term 2019-2021 and 2021-2023)

Kristina M. Krsiak, OTD, OTR/L has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2009. She completed her master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2009 and her post-professional occupational therapy doctorate in 2017 at Quinnipiac University. Kristina primarily works with older adults in several practice settings including skilled nursing, long term care, and homecare and has several years of experience in leadership and management in these settings. In January of 2014, Kristina was invited to participate in AOTA’s Cultivating Your Power & Influence: The AOTA Leadership Development Program for Managers. She also is full-time faculty at the University of New Haven where she serves as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Kristina is excited to use this role to help increase promotion of occupational therapy throughout our state and nation and promote the occupational therapy profession.

SECRETARY: Kristina Cuoco, MOTR/L, CBIS (Term: July 2022-2024)

Kristina Cuoco, MS, OTR/L, CBIS completed her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2009. Kristina has many years of experience working with older adults in the skilled nursing setting and has experience with management as rehabilitation director in this setting. Kristina currently works with a primary focus on adults with acquired brain injuries and mental health and has earned credentials as a certified brain injury specialist. Kristina is excited to step into this new role and bring her expertise to assist in the advancement of the occupational therapy profession.

MEMBER FOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - Kate Keefe, OTD, OTR/L (Term 2019-2021 and 2021-2023)

Kate  Keefe, OTD, OTR/L has over 20 years of experience as an occupational therapy practitioner. In 2016 she achieved a post-professional doctor of occupational therapy degree with a focus in aging and education. Dr. Keefe has taught continuing education courses nationally to over 500 therapists on dementia specific models of care and service delivery. She has also taught as an assistant professor at the in both MSOT and OTA programs. In her role as Occupational Therapy Practice Lead, Dr. Keefe serves as the lead on an Alzheimer’s disease initiative in the  development of a new post-diagnostic support program that utilizes evidence-informed and evidence-based therapy interventions to support person living alone in the community with dementia and persons living with dementia and their caregivers.

She is excited to address the government affairs needs of ConnOTA and its legislative needs at the state capital. 

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR - Michelle Forfa, OTD, OTR/L (Term: July 2022-2024)

Michelle is an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Hartford. She received her B.S. in Occupational Science, M.S. in Occupational Therapy, and post-professional OTD from American International College. Michelle has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2008 with her clinical expertise in the adult and aging population. She is excited to support ConnOTA and CT based practitioners through conference planning and continuing education events!

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR - Donna Sweeney, M.ED, OTR/L (TERM 2019-2021 and 2021-2023)

Donna Sweeney, M.Ed., OTR/L holds a Masters degree in Educational Technology from American College of Education and a Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from Utica College (of Syracuse University). Donna has had over 30 years of clinical practice, with the primary area of practice being in the area of Pediatrics in both private and school-based practice.  Donna currently is an Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for Manchester Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program.  She received ConnOTA’s 2018 Award of Service in recognition of her leadership and facilitation of a Community of Practice for school-based practitioners. Donna is excited to share her enthusiasm for ConnOTA as a Membership Chair.

Committee Member Bios

SIS CO-CHAIRS

Gus Schlegel, MPS, OT/L 

Gus is currently working towards a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Health with Concentration in Community Education, received his Master of Professional Studies with Humanitarian Services Administration Concentration in 2016, his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1995 and is OTA certificate in 1988.  Gus currently works in home care and is an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University. He was previously the owner of a therapy company, and worked as an academic fieldwork coordinator for LaGuardia Community College.  He served with the US Army as a staff OT and Director of OT Detachment Commander, Company Commander, Occupational Therapy Assistant deployed to Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield/Storm as the first occupational therapy assistant in a combat environment to assist in developing combat stress doctrine. Gus has been involved with Bon Samaritain School and Clinic, L’Acul, Haiti, WI March 2008 – Present.

Gus has participated in 10 trips to Haiti since 2008 to consult and collaborate with community leaders and healthcare providers in the rural community of L’Acul in Northern Haiti. Collaborated with the community to reopen a medical clinic in the region in November 2009, which operates weekly to provide medical services to the local community of 12,000 people. With another occupational therapist, began an occupational therapy clinic in May 2010 and has provided occupation-based interventions for over 100 adults and children with disabilities. Co-leads service learning and mission trips to Haiti including groups of graduate occupational therapy students. Provides ongoing support and consultation at the Bon Samaritan School, which has grown from K-5 to Pre-K to secondary school, which commenced in 2016. Provides consultation on various projects including a lunch program, an after-school program, construction and computers, and a reforestation program. Writes grants and conducts fundraising for ongoing support of a weekly medical clinic and the school operating budget. Grants written include school and clinic reconstruction, computers, and reforestation. Provides ongoing support for community members entering the medical field including two nurses who have completed their training and one current medical student. Planning support of occupational therapy student beginning in 2017.

Gus is excited to volunteer his time with ConnOTA in the capacity of SIS Co-Chair.

Morgan Rachel Villano, MPA,MSPS, OTR/L

Morgan  graduated from Suffolk University in Boston with a joint degree in Public Administration and Political science in 2009.  She completed a fellowship through UMASS Medical School and the Eunice Shriver Center in Waltham, MA: Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, with a focus in policy development, policy implementation, funding, legislative mechanisms and advocacy within the healthcare arena. Her undergraduate degree is a B.S. in Occupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Quinnipiac University in 1998. Morgan served on the ConnOTA Board as the Member for Government Affairs between 2014-2018.  Professionally Morgan has practiced as an occupational therapist in mental health, pediatrics, acute care, skilled nursing and home care.  Morgan supports Sacred Heart University’s Masters of Occupational Therapy program as an adjunct instructor as well as Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital in the role of per diem O.T.

MEMBERS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Tessa Boston, MOT, OTR/L

Tessa Boston, MOT, OTR/L, earned her master’s degree from Saint Louis University in 2017. She is an occupational therapist with the Yale University School of Medicine, working on the Young Adult Services team at the Connecticut Mental Health Center. In addition to providing direct clinical services, Tessa coordinates the level II fieldwork programming at her site and provides consultation to transitional housing and community support programs to promote independent living skill building for young adults. Tessa is also pursuing her ScD in Occupational Science at Towson University, with research interests in occupational justice and community participation for individuals with serious mental illness. She is excited to join the MPD team!

Jaimee Hegge, OTD, OTR/L, CKTP

Dr. Jaimee Hegge, OTD, OTR/L, CKTP has practiced as an occupational therapist since 2012 and has been a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University since 2018. Dr. Hegge teaches and coordinates the adult and geriatric physical rehabilitation curriculum in the Graduate Occupational Therapy (OT) Program. She received her Master of Science in OT degree from Sacred Heart University in 2012 and her Post-Professional Doctoral degree from St. Catherine University in 2018.  Dr. Hegge’s area of clinical expertise is in adult and geriatric physical rehabilitation, with a focus on home health, ergonomics, and pelvic floor dysfunction. She is also a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner. She is excited to serve as a MPD!

MEMBER FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS:

Anne Graikoski, MS, OTR/L

Anne Graikoski, MS OTR/L, is a newer OT practitioner, she has been licensed and practicing for 3 years. She received her bachelor’s degree at UConn with a major in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. She earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England in Portland, Maine. She began her career in the clinical setting at a dementia specialty SNF in Boston, MA. Anne’s passion and career path lies in serving those living with cognitive change. Anne continues to work in LTC back in her home state of CT! Her current role is non-traditional and focused on leading and building the capacity of care partners assisting those living with dementia in LTC. Anne is excited to soon begin practicing in the community through home care as well. She is currently working towards becoming a Skills2Care® certified practitioner. Anne is excited to connect with ConnOTA members through social media platforms. Her hope is to demonstrate the value of state association membership and support the job shadow and mentoring programs ConnOTA offers. 

In her role as the Member for Public Affairs, Anne looks forward to sharing ConnOTA events on social media and looks forward to your active participation!  

Historian:

Judi Sheehan, OTR/L, CFo

Judi has extensive experience with ConnOTA as the Historian (since 2000) and has served two terms as President (2016-2020), and as Vice President, (2010-2014) where she was instrumental in facilitating many major organizational improvements. She has assisted or held the chair position for the annual Spring Conferences for over 17 years. ConnOTA has awarded her with the Award of Service, the Award of Merit and the President’s award. She has a passion for ConnOTA and ensuring that the organization continues to remain a strong and innovative organization where the state’s Occupational Therapists can share their ideas and skills and utilize its growing resources to further their work in the state.