MOTA President
Jacque Sample, Dr. OT, M.Ed., OTR/L
Jacque has practiced occupational therapy since 1998. She holds a Master’s in Special Education (Autism) and a Doctorate in OT (DrOT), focusing on post-secondary transitions for students with autism. Specializing in pediatrics, she has also worked in forensic mental health and adult rehabilitation. As President of the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) through 2026, she founded MOTA’s Annual Hill Day and has driven key policy changes, including expanding insurance for children with developmental delays. Dr. Sample lives in Columbia, MO with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Secretary & OTA Liaison
Kristi Peterson, BGS, COTA/L
Kristi serves dual roles on the MOTA board as secretary and OTA liaison, showcasing her dedication to professional leadership. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri, she specializes in fieldwork education across pediatrics, psychosocial aspects, adult physical disabilities, and assistive technology. Kristi’s diverse clinical background includes experience in neuro, acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, memory care, and schools, which informs her teaching in geriatric care and community-based interventions. Passionate about emerging technologies, she is exploring AI’s role in OT and incorporating simulated client experiences into education to enhance student learning. Kristi’s contributions continue to advance the profession through leadership, innovation, and education.
Treasurer
Patricia Nellis, OTD, OTR/L, FNAP, MBA
Pat currently is faculty at Washington University in the clinical division and works as the Director of Operations. She has worked on interprofessional teams focusing on adult rehabilitation and habilitation across the continuum of care. Her clinical experience includes working with adults who have experienced strokes and community-dwelling adults living with multiple morbidities, including anxiety and depression that affect function and engagement in everyday occupations. Dr. Nellis’ focus is on health promotion, well-being and self-management in order to empower individuals to take charge of their own global health. Dr. Nellis also has an interest in alternative health-care service delivery models including team-based, interprofessional care aimed at community integration and identification/remediation of functional risk for vulnerable, community-dwelling adults.
Nominations Committee
Christy Gorman, COTA/L
Christy graduated from OTC in 2015 and has been with CoxHealth for the past nine years, working in Inpatient Rehab and Acute care in Springfield. She is passionate about helping patients reach their full potential through targeted interventions and education. Christy is excited to support the growth of MOTA and SW MOTA, advocating for a stronger voice in state and national healthcare decisions.
