Page 11 - OPTA Access Spring 2021

Candidates for Secretary (1 to be elected)
WATCH CARA'S VIDEO STATEMENT
CARA BERG-CARRAMUSA, PT, MSPT, EdD
My name is Cara Berg-Carramusa and I’m seeking your endorsement to serve as the Secretary for our OPTA.
I have consistently been involved with the OPTA for many years and currently serve as the Secretary for the East Central District and have done so for the past 10+ years. I feel I have many strengths and skills that align with the responsibilities of this position and in being a part of the leadership team for our OPTA.
I have been a PT for over 20 years and am very passionate about what we do and who we are. I have invested in a career rooted in a commitment to lifelong learning, personal and professional growth, and collaboration. I have had a dense and dynamic clinical career in various industry settings while serving in a leadership role for almost 10 years. As a full-time academic for the past five years, I have embraced the responsibility and privilege of developing the future of our profession in the skills of knowing, doing, and being. I have strong organizational and communication skills, I am accountable, and I think judiciously. I aim to be adaptive and am eager to support, partner with, and educate colleagues, students, and other stakeholders in cultivating excellence and advocacy for our PT profession. I would be grateful for your consideration and support in allowing me to serve you and our professional community of PTs in the capacity of OPTA Secretary. Thank you!
SHANNON SIMPSON, PTA
I am excited for the nomination to serve as Secretary and value the opportunity to represent PTAs and foster increased PT/PTA teamwork with this position. I became involved with OPTA my first year of PTA school (2014) and as an early professional served as the West Central District PAC Chair and presented at LEAP. I am currently involved with the OPTA Conference Committee and I am pursuing an Advance Proficiency Pathway in Geriatrics. I work on the skilled nursing unit at the Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care where I participate in a variety of projects and initiatives. I also take meeting minutes for the Employee Engagement Committee, where I am a representative of rehabilitation services.
I value connecting with other professionals and advocating to shape the profession, especially as part of our nimble response to significant changes this past year. As we continue the centennial celebration, I appreciate your consideration to propel physical therapy forward into the next 100 years!
WATCH SHANNON'S VIDEO STATEMENT
Candidate for Nominating Committee Chair (1 to be elected)
WATCH SCOTT'S VIDEO STATEMENT
SCOTT EUYPE, PT, DPT, MHS
I am both excited and humbled to be nominated to serve as the OPTA Nominating Committee Chair. Since being appointed as chair, I have enjoyed my role, and I am thankful for having had the opportunity to serve the OPTA in this capacity. My previous experiences of serving on the OPTA Board, as a former Ohio delegate, and with other leadership roles with the OPTA allow me to understand what the roles in leadership require. This, combined with my strengths in active listening, mentoring, and being able to nudge, nurture, and encourage others to serve are important attributes in being the Nominating Committee Chair. In making up the slate, I believe in working strongly with each district nominating committee coordinator, to ensure that each district has representation. Serving on the APTA Nominating Committee has provided me with resources that will help the Nominating Committee to develop continued improvements in mentorship and in the development of future leaders for years to come. If elected as the OPTA Nominating Committee Chair, it is my goal that the Nominating Committee will provide you a slate of highly qualified and diverse candidates that will excite you, yet challenge you in your decision in who to vote for. It is an honor to be on the slate to serve as the Nominating Committee Chair. I ask for your support with gratitude for trusting me to serve the Ohio Physical Therapy Association in this role.
OPTA | March 2021 | 11