ACOT Executives
President
Stephanie Llanos graduated with a Master in Sciences, Occupational Therapy from Florida International University, with honors. After obtaining her Florida state license, she began practicing full time at Heartland of Kendall, a skilled nursing facility, and part time at West Gables Rehabilitation. Both are located in South Miami.
Stephanie has a true passion for her profession. She has become very involved in advocacy efforts for Occupational Therapy, not only locally, but within the region. Her initiative to assist in the growth of her chosen profession range from frequently presenting at local conferences, participating in her national association, Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA). She was elected vice president of ACOT in Novemeber 2015 and now serves as the president.
Her favoured areas of practice include but are not limited to orthopedics, hand rehabilitation, ergonomic assessment, home modifications and splinting. She presently works at Total Rehabilitation Centre Ltd and Renew Star Serpentine Ltd.
Vice President
Rachael Gaunt qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Coventry University England in 2000. She has worked with adults and children in physical and mental health settings both within the UK National Health Service and private practise. She has worked for an overseas non-profit Child Developmental Centre in St Lucia and has project managed the funding, installation and training to create a sensory room for children with disabilities on the island. She is currently employed by Cayman Islands Department of Education, working within her speciality as a paediatric Occupational Therapist. She is qualified as a UK advanced prationaire in Sensory Integration Therapy and holds an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She is looking forward to sharing current research and practical strategies at conference with regard to the topic of Sensory Integration.
Rachael Gaunt qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Coventry University England in 2000. She has worked with adults and children in physical and mental health settings both within the UK National Health Service and private practise. She has worked for an overseas non-profit Child Developmental Centre in St Lucia and has project managed the funding, installation and training to create a sensory room for children with disabilities on the island. She is currently employed by Cayman Islands Department of Education, working within her speciality as a paediatric Occupational Therapist. She is qualified as a UK advanced prationaire in Sensory Integration Therapy and holds an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She is looking forward to sharing current research and practical strategies at conference with regard to the topic of Sensory Integration.
Secretary
Shamika Wright is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from Brunel University with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. She currently holds registration in the UK with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) as well Jamaica with Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM).
Shamika is interested in the role of Occupational Therapy in non-traditional areas including the cross section of Coaching in Occupational Therapy. Her personal philosophy is that the best life lived is one by design and not by default. She enjoys helping people unlock their true potential and enjoys the field of mental health with particular emphasis on Neuroscience and Positive Psychology.
Shamika Wright is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from Brunel University with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. She currently holds registration in the UK with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) as well Jamaica with Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM).
Shamika is interested in the role of Occupational Therapy in non-traditional areas including the cross section of Coaching in Occupational Therapy. Her personal philosophy is that the best life lived is one by design and not by default. She enjoys helping people unlock their true potential and enjoys the field of mental health with particular emphasis on Neuroscience and Positive Psychology.
Treasurer
Melanie S. Büge is a Registered Occupational Therapist practicing in the island of Barbados. She is an honors graduate from the London School of Occupational Therapy, Brunel University, London, UK. She is currently the President of the Barbados Occupational Therapy Association and Treasurer of the Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapy Association. Ms. Büge is one of the OTs working on the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. She is also the founder of Quality of Life Therapy Services, which specializes in domiciliary care.
Melanie S. Büge is a Registered Occupational Therapist practicing in the island of Barbados. She is an honors graduate from the London School of Occupational Therapy, Brunel University, London, UK. She is currently the President of the Barbados Occupational Therapy Association and Treasurer of the Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapy Association. Ms. Büge is one of the OTs working on the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. She is also the founder of Quality of Life Therapy Services, which specializes in domiciliary care.
Floor Member
Ashley Kahila graduated with a Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2008 from Mayville University – Saint Louis. In 2014, after working for six years at a non-for- profit outpatient
children’s facility in Missouri, she moved to Haiti where she currently resides. She founded an outpatient OT/PT clinic within a non-government organization, which currently employs three nationals and services primarily children from many communities.
She continues to serve as the director of the clinic and is an active participant on the Medical Advisory Board for the organization. Along with four others, she founded the Haiti Association of Occupational Therapy. She currently serves as the secretary and the WFOT delegate for the association. She has a passion for advocating for disabilities and the profession of occupational therapy not only in Haiti, but also throughout the Caribbean and internationally.
Ashley Kahila graduated with a Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2008 from Mayville University – Saint Louis. In 2014, after working for six years at a non-for- profit outpatient
children’s facility in Missouri, she moved to Haiti where she currently resides. She founded an outpatient OT/PT clinic within a non-government organization, which currently employs three nationals and services primarily children from many communities.
She continues to serve as the director of the clinic and is an active participant on the Medical Advisory Board for the organization. Along with four others, she founded the Haiti Association of Occupational Therapy. She currently serves as the secretary and the WFOT delegate for the association. She has a passion for advocating for disabilities and the profession of occupational therapy not only in Haiti, but also throughout the Caribbean and internationally.
WFOT Delegate
Raquel Martinez BScH, MSc, OTR is the Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA). She received her Masters in OT at Columbia University, and is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree at Boston University. She is the Head of the OT Department at the St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital, and a lecturer in the Masters of Occupational Therapy programme at the University of the Southern Caribbean. Raquel enjoys working with a variety of clients and practices in pediatrics, geriatrics, physical disability and mental health
Raquel Martinez BScH, MSc, OTR is the Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA). She received her Masters in OT at Columbia University, and is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree at Boston University. She is the Head of the OT Department at the St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital, and a lecturer in the Masters of Occupational Therapy programme at the University of the Southern Caribbean. Raquel enjoys working with a variety of clients and practices in pediatrics, geriatrics, physical disability and mental health
WFOT Delegate (Alternate)
Pauline Campbell is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (Developmental and Behavioural Specialty), PhD. Candidate Educational Psychology and Founder /Executive Director of McCam Child Development and Resource Centre, Kingston, Jamaica. Pauline is an Awardee of the National Award, Badge of Honour for her services to the field of Occupational Therapy and Child Development in Jamaica. She has 30 years experience in pediatrics focusing on children with physical, developmental and behavioural disabilities. She has a particular interest in children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Pauline has worked as a consultant for GOJ/UN/ UNFPA, Dudley Grant Project, Ministry of Education, Shortwood Teacher’s College and UNICEF. She is co-author of the McCam Curriculum – a Developmental Approach to Learning. She is currently Acting President of the Occupational Therapy Association of Jamaica.
Pauline Campbell is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (Developmental and Behavioural Specialty), PhD. Candidate Educational Psychology and Founder /Executive Director of McCam Child Development and Resource Centre, Kingston, Jamaica. Pauline is an Awardee of the National Award, Badge of Honour for her services to the field of Occupational Therapy and Child Development in Jamaica. She has 30 years experience in pediatrics focusing on children with physical, developmental and behavioural disabilities. She has a particular interest in children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Pauline has worked as a consultant for GOJ/UN/ UNFPA, Dudley Grant Project, Ministry of Education, Shortwood Teacher’s College and UNICEF. She is co-author of the McCam Curriculum – a Developmental Approach to Learning. She is currently Acting President of the Occupational Therapy Association of Jamaica.