OTAO History

Names and Descriptions of Important Occupational Therapists in Oregon

• Mary Boce: First President of OTAO, 1947-1949. Became an OT in 1944 when as a school teacher one of her students became interested in Occupational Therapy. After WWII she along with Julia Strode started the Portland Oregon VA OT Department.

• Walter Ludtke: Attended University of Puget Sound and graduated in 1956 in OT. From 1956-1959 he worked in Seattle, WA at the University of Washington Hospital. He taught psychiatry at the OT Program there, where at first he only had one student. In 1965 he also taught psychiatry at UPS. In 1967 he started the OTA program at Mt Hood Community College in Oregon. OTAO President 1968-1989.

• Sue Nelson: Graduated from University of Minnesota in 1956 in OT. Moved to Oregon 1958 and worked at the site of Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon, focusing on testing pre-vocational skills for people with cerebral palsy. President of OTAO 1976-1978. Spear-headed licensure effort for OT in the stated, completed 1977. Has written a book on the history of Occupational Therapy and in particular the influence of OTAO in the state of Oregon. She has elaborated on the 1980 publication of Reflections: The History of Occupational Therapy Association in Oregon.

• Kay Rhoney: Attended the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, graduating in OT in 1967. Moved to Oregon in 1973 and worked as Director of the OT department until 1979 as what is now the Oregon Health and Sciences University. Vice-President of OTAO during licensure efforts with Sue Nelson. President 1978-1980.

• Jean Vann: Graduated from Washington University in St. Louis MO in 1950 with a degree in OT. Moved back to Portland OR and worked at Holladay Park Hospital with both clients with psychiatric issues and those who had polio. She was involved with OTAO in many functions including being President two separate occasions, 1952-1954, 1963-1965 and remaining historian until 2014.

• Lillian Crawford in the 1970s worked with the Clackamas County community mental health. Also was coordinator for the OTA Mt. Hood Community College program. President 1986-1988.

• Edna Ellen Bell attended Reed College in Portland, OR, then transferred to the University of Oregon and received a BA in Music in 1929. Became an OT in 1944 from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Founding director of University of Puget Sound OT department, 1944-1952. Presented final draft of constitution for the formation of OTAO to the National Association in 1947. In 1958 was back in Portland, OR, and became the director of OT at the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon (RIO). Also started the OT department at Columbia Memorial Hospital.

• Grace Black, chairwoman of committee that originated constitution regarding the formation of OTAO in 1946. Established the OT department at what is now Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU). Involved in many aspects of OTAO, President, 1950-1952. OTAO established Award of Appreciation in 1976 to express recognition to a member of OTAO for contributions to the advancement of OT in Oregon. In 1981 this award was changed to the Grace Black award, as an honor of being a charter member and who throughout her career contributed to the advancement of OT in Oregon.