ACOT Executives
Vice President
Lizzie Knight qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Coventry University England in 2018. After graduating, she worked as a band 5 occupational therapist for the NHS at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, working with patients who had undergone joint replacements and other orthopaedic surgeries.
Lizzie moved to the Cayman Islands in late 2019 and is currently working as an occupational therapists for a private physiotherapy clinic, supporting adults both in the clinic and in their homes.
She has been a member of both ACOT and the Cayman Islands Occupational Therapy Association (CIOTA) since 2020. She joined the ACOT executive committee in 2022, and has also taken on the role of secretary for CIOTA since 2020. Lizzie was also part of the conference committee who helped organise and deliver the ACOT Occupational Therapy 15th Biennial Scientific Conference, hosted by the Cayman Islands in 2021.
Lizzie Knight qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Coventry University England in 2018. After graduating, she worked as a band 5 occupational therapist for the NHS at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, working with patients who had undergone joint replacements and other orthopaedic surgeries.
Lizzie moved to the Cayman Islands in late 2019 and is currently working as an occupational therapists for a private physiotherapy clinic, supporting adults both in the clinic and in their homes.
She has been a member of both ACOT and the Cayman Islands Occupational Therapy Association (CIOTA) since 2020. She joined the ACOT executive committee in 2022, and has also taken on the role of secretary for CIOTA since 2020. Lizzie was also part of the conference committee who helped organise and deliver the ACOT Occupational Therapy 15th Biennial Scientific Conference, hosted by the Cayman Islands in 2021.
Vice President
Kniquiah Hughes OTD, OTR/L, is a registered occupational therapist practicing in Anguilla. She is an honors graduate of the Doctoral Occupational Therapy program from the University of St. Augustine. Dr. Hughes is currently the first and only occupational therapist on the island where she opened her practice - Wellness Ave. providing services to people of all ages. She has moved throughout the USA - FL and VA, receiving several clinical experiences in acute care, pediatrics, mental health, and geriatrics. She is excited to be back home and serve her role as the newly appointed Vice President of ACOT.
Kniquiah Hughes OTD, OTR/L, is a registered occupational therapist practicing in Anguilla. She is an honors graduate of the Doctoral Occupational Therapy program from the University of St. Augustine. Dr. Hughes is currently the first and only occupational therapist on the island where she opened her practice - Wellness Ave. providing services to people of all ages. She has moved throughout the USA - FL and VA, receiving several clinical experiences in acute care, pediatrics, mental health, and geriatrics. She is excited to be back home and serve her role as the newly appointed Vice President of ACOT.
Treasurer
Nadia Johnson graduated with her Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2018 from the University of Brunel London (originally The London school of Occupational Therapy) and began practicing in Barbados directly out of university, wanting to jump into working within the occupational climate and culture to which she was born. Her primary area of practice is adult physical disabilities, with a particular focus in Neurology. Her private practice, Independent Abilities, services adults who have experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury, or have various degenerative neurological conditions. Nadia has also always had a love for the water and therefore sought to merge these two aspects of her life; consequently, she is the only certified Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist in Barbados. In the pool, she works with all ages from children to older adults, and all conditions – Autism Spectrum Disorder, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis as well as strokes and spinal cord injuries.
Nadia has been a member of ACOT and the Barbados Occupational Therapy Association (BOTA) since she returned to Barbados in 2018. She previously served as Barbados Country rep for ACOT and is the current Vice President of BOTA. Nadia is looking forward to working with the new executive of ACOT and being of service in her appointed role as treasurer.
Nadia Johnson graduated with her Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2018 from the University of Brunel London (originally The London school of Occupational Therapy) and began practicing in Barbados directly out of university, wanting to jump into working within the occupational climate and culture to which she was born. Her primary area of practice is adult physical disabilities, with a particular focus in Neurology. Her private practice, Independent Abilities, services adults who have experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury, or have various degenerative neurological conditions. Nadia has also always had a love for the water and therefore sought to merge these two aspects of her life; consequently, she is the only certified Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist in Barbados. In the pool, she works with all ages from children to older adults, and all conditions – Autism Spectrum Disorder, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis as well as strokes and spinal cord injuries.
Nadia has been a member of ACOT and the Barbados Occupational Therapy Association (BOTA) since she returned to Barbados in 2018. She previously served as Barbados Country rep for ACOT and is the current Vice President of BOTA. Nadia is looking forward to working with the new executive of ACOT and being of service in her appointed role as treasurer.
Secretary
Ashley Kahila graduated with a Masters in Occupational Thearpy in 2008 from Maryville University – Saint Louis. She worked at an outpatient pediatric facility for 6 years prior to moving to Haiti in 2014. She founded an outpatient clinic offering OT and PT services to children and adults of all diagnoses. After serving as director for nearly 7 years, she transitioned the clinic fully to Haitian therapists and leadership. She then transitioned to a different organization in Northern Haiti assisting with program development and training rehabilitation within two therapy programs providing services to children of all ages and diagnoses. In addition, Ashley is involved in providing clinical education to OT students, occasionally teaching courses to OT and PT students, fabricating adaptive equipment, consulting with other organizations in developing therapy clinic, and serving on the executive board of the Haiti Association of Occupational Therapy. Ashley enjoys working with various diagnoses and primarily works with pediatrics, neuro clientele, and mental health, specifically trauma and PTSD.
Ashley Kahila graduated with a Masters in Occupational Thearpy in 2008 from Maryville University – Saint Louis. She worked at an outpatient pediatric facility for 6 years prior to moving to Haiti in 2014. She founded an outpatient clinic offering OT and PT services to children and adults of all diagnoses. After serving as director for nearly 7 years, she transitioned the clinic fully to Haitian therapists and leadership. She then transitioned to a different organization in Northern Haiti assisting with program development and training rehabilitation within two therapy programs providing services to children of all ages and diagnoses. In addition, Ashley is involved in providing clinical education to OT students, occasionally teaching courses to OT and PT students, fabricating adaptive equipment, consulting with other organizations in developing therapy clinic, and serving on the executive board of the Haiti Association of Occupational Therapy. Ashley enjoys working with various diagnoses and primarily works with pediatrics, neuro clientele, and mental health, specifically trauma and PTSD.
Floor Member
Calvin Lawrie
Calvin Lawrie
WFOT Delegate
Raquel Martinez MSc, OTR, OTD received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University and her Doctoral degree at Boston University. She is the owner/director of Life Occupational Therapy Limited, and the director of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Southern Caribbean. Her goal, and the topic of her doctoral research, is to play a part in the universalization of OT services, so that even those who can least afford it, can access treatment.
Raquel Martinez MSc, OTR, OTD received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University and her Doctoral degree at Boston University. She is the owner/director of Life Occupational Therapy Limited, and the director of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Southern Caribbean. Her goal, and the topic of her doctoral research, is to play a part in the universalization of OT services, so that even those who can least afford it, can access treatment.
WFOT Delegate (Alternate)
Pauline Campbell is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (Developmental and Behavioural Specialty) and Educational Psychologist and Founder /Executive Director: McCam Child Development and Resource Centre -the first inclusive programme in the field of Early Childhood Development (1986). Thirty-five years experience as a paediatric occupational therapist focusing on children with physical, developmental and behavioural disabilities. Awardee of the National Award, Badge of Honour for her services to the field of Occupational Therapy and Child Development in Jamaica. Also, Prime Minister’s award for contribution to education in Jamaica.
Author of ‘Sealing the Cracks: Managing Behavioural Problems in the Classroom’
Pauline Campbell is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (Developmental and Behavioural Specialty) and Educational Psychologist and Founder /Executive Director: McCam Child Development and Resource Centre -the first inclusive programme in the field of Early Childhood Development (1986). Thirty-five years experience as a paediatric occupational therapist focusing on children with physical, developmental and behavioural disabilities. Awardee of the National Award, Badge of Honour for her services to the field of Occupational Therapy and Child Development in Jamaica. Also, Prime Minister’s award for contribution to education in Jamaica.
Author of ‘Sealing the Cracks: Managing Behavioural Problems in the Classroom’
Newsletter Coordinator
Gabrielle de Villers graduated with a a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science- Major in Occupational Therapy, and a Master's degree of Applied sciences in Occupational Therapy from McGill University in Canada in 2012. After graduation, she worked in a pediatric private practice in Canada for 3 years before she relocated to Barbados in 2015. As a self-employed pediatric occupational therapist, she provides services primarily to children and adolescents.
She became a member of ACOT and of the Barbados Occupational Therapy Association (BOTA) when she moved to Barbados. Gabrielle is Newsletter coordinator for ACOT since 2019 and is the president of BOTA since 2020.
Gabrielle de Villers graduated with a a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science- Major in Occupational Therapy, and a Master's degree of Applied sciences in Occupational Therapy from McGill University in Canada in 2012. After graduation, she worked in a pediatric private practice in Canada for 3 years before she relocated to Barbados in 2015. As a self-employed pediatric occupational therapist, she provides services primarily to children and adolescents.
She became a member of ACOT and of the Barbados Occupational Therapy Association (BOTA) when she moved to Barbados. Gabrielle is Newsletter coordinator for ACOT since 2019 and is the president of BOTA since 2020.