NHOTA recognizes the significant challenges faced by pediatric OT private practice owners and clinicians, including reimbursement barriers, workforce shortages, space constraints, and growing waitlists. This advocacy session will feature an insightful panel of speakers sharing their experiences, challenges and potential solutions within private pediatric practice.
Join us for this critical discussion as we work together to advocate for meaningful strategies to address these pressing issues and strengthen our profession. Your voice and participation are vital!
Amy Rich Crane, MSOT, OTR/L, BCP: Amy brings 11 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist. She entered supervisory leadership within her first year of practice in outpatient pediatrics, which is where she has spent most of her career, aside from one year spent in early intervention. Amy has practiced across the U.S. and internationally, gaining invaluable insights into ethical practice, state and insurance compliance standards, and the evolving needs of diverse families in the therapeutic space. She earned dual board certification in pediatrics in 2023.
With a deep commitment to interdisciplinary trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, sensory-rich therapies, Amy has successfully integrated these principles into non-profit and for-profit outpatient models, ensuring that every child and family receives personalized, comprehensive, effective, and humanistic care. At the same time, she’s focused on skill development and education for caregivers, healthcare providers, and community members, and she will be releasing formal webinar and education opportunities later this year. She has built a culture of empowerment within her team, guiding and mentoring them to develop leaders within the allied health space, ones that embrace continuous learning, innovation, and excellence in their work.
Amy also coaches' youth sports on the weekends and serves as an elected member of her town’s budget committee, committed to community-based leadership and youth development in every facet of her life.
Katie Paterson, MS, OTR/L: Katie graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a master’s in occupational therapy in 2011. She also acquired her bachelor’s degree from UNH in communication science and disorders with a minor in deaf studies. She has worked in privately owned practices for the last 14 years. Katie now co-owns Little Bridges Therapeutic Enrichment with Katherine Goodwin. Little Bridges opened in June of 2020. Developing holistic and family centered therapy services for those in need is their mutual passion.
