Ricky Altahif, OTD, Appointed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the American Occupational Therapy Association

Effective July 1, 2023, Ricardo Altahif, OTD, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OTD), has been appointed to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) for a three-year term.

AOTA—the national professional association for occupational therapists—established the DEI Committee in 2021 following the recommendation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. AOTA’s DEI Committee aims to uplift the diversity of the profession, create an inclusive environment, and foster equity, participation, and representation for all in alignment with AOTA's values.

“Through my personal, professional, and volunteer experiences, I have learned various challenges and barriers faced by underrepresented and marginalized groups,” Altahif said. “I am eager to contribute my skills and experiences towards meaningful dialogue and action related to cultural humility, representation, and other issues of DEI in Occupational Therapy. I look forward to serving the OT profession in this role, and to the personal and professional growth that this role will entail.” 

“I am eager to contribute my skills and experiences towards meaningful dialogue and action related to cultural humility, representation, and other issues of DEI in Occupational Therapy."

Altahif joined the Baylor OTD faculty in 2023 after serving as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and as an Adjunct Professor for Baylor’s Entry-level OTD program. He volunteers his clinical skills at Mission Waco’s Health Clinic, providing occupational therapy services to underserved patients in the Waco area. Through his new volunteer role on AOTA’s DEI Committee, Altahif will join his fellow committee members in “a broad scope of responsibilities, including updating and refining AOTA’s DEI Strategic Plan, guiding and informing the Board of Directors and other governance bodies on issues and opportunities related to DEI, and assessing progress achieving the goals of advancing inclusion and diversity within AOTA and the profession” (see more on the AOTA DEI website).

“We are thrilled about Dr. Altahif’s appointment to AOTA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee,” said Marian Gillard, PhD. “His significant contributions to Baylor's distinctive hybrid pedagogy underscore our commitment to closing workforce gaps and bolstering services in rural and underserved communities. We believe it is a significant recognition of his expertise and dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the occupational therapy profession.”