Refer to the AKOTA Bylaws for Executive Committee Officer responsibilities.
Executive Committee

Dr. Bri Oswald
President
Term End Date: February 2026
Legislative & Licensing Committee Coordinator

Dr. Dee Athnos
Vice President
I moved to Alaska in 2008, while working as a traveler for the Kenai Peninsula School District and then the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. In 2012, I accepted a full time, permanent job with the Alaska VA Outpatient Clinic (now called the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus) after realizing that I loved living in Alaska and wanted to make a difference in the lives of my fellow military veterans. The OT community in Alaska is vibrant with expertise and compassion. I’m proud to be a part of that OT community, making a difference in Alaska’s healthcare system. It’s an honor to continue serving as an AKOTA board member and I encourage all OT/OTA practitioners to participate in any way feasible. Connection matters and AKOTA gives us the means to connect across our vast Alaskan landscape!
Term End Date: February 2025
Website & Social Media Committee Coordinator

Dr. Katie Walker
Secretary
I am originally from Freedom, Oklahoma – a tiny town where my family members have been cattle ranchers for many generations. I moved to Alaska in 2019 to attend the Creighton OTD program. I completed my doctoral capstone in a variety of mental health settings within AK with a focus on the impact trauma has on occupations. Since graduating I have worked in hospital settings with patients in acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient ortho/neuro/pediatrics, and inpatient psychiatric settings. My 2024 AKOTA board goals are to continue creating opportunities for OTs across the state to connect.
Term End Date: February 2026
Membership & Social Networking Committee Coordinator

Dr. Molly Dawson
Treasurer
I am currently working at Alaska Hand Rehabilitation, upper extremity orthopedic outpatient rehab. I earned my B.S. in Nutritional Science emphasis in dietetics in 2012. I completed earning my doctorate in occupational therapy at Creighton University in 2020. My doctoral capstone focus in interprofessional collaboration for functional environmental modification following a traumatic injury resulting in hospitalization. Prior to working in outpatient upper extremity rehabilitation, I worked at the Shepherd Center as a primary therapist for acquired brain injury inpatient rehab. I am passionate about the profession as a whole and all specialties.I am pleased to serve on the AKOTA executive committee to provide support to the occupational therapy profession in Alaska including collaboration, advocacy, and education.
Term End Date: February 2026
Conference & Continuing Education Committee Coordinator