OTAH Officers and Committee Chairs and Members

Meet your 2023-24 OTAH Officers

Joni is a home health OT working for Bayada Home Health. She graduated from UH Manoa with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Health and Exercise Science then earned a Master of Science in OT from Washington University in St. Louis.

She is also a fellow for the Cornell Alliance for Science, who focuses on science advocacy and grassroots organizing and an American Council on Germany John J. McCloy Agricultural fellow. McCloy was the founding Chairman of the American Council of Germany and the first civilian U.S. High Commissioner for Germany.

She has worked in mental health, skilled nursing, wheelchair seating and positioning, assisted living, and now home health. She is also a volunteer caregiver educator for the Moiliili Hongwanji’s Project Dana Caregiver Support Group for the last 15 years. She also teaches seniors on self assessment of fall risk through events at various churches and the Hawaii United Okinawan Association Senior Fair.

Joni also is a member of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists with an ADCES certificate and is dedicated to helping clients become educated on managing chronic health conditions to live well. She is a member of AOTA and certified in LSVT BIG.

Brooke received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in OT at San Jose State University, worked for about 10 years before returning to receive her Post-Professional Doctorate Degree of OT from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals. She worked primarily in outpatient rehab clinics specializing in treating hand and arm injuries. She also has experience with administering Functional Capacity Evaluations, job site analysis, return to work coaching, and worker’s compensation case management. She is currently employed as an Ergonomic Coordinator, working with staff to prevent injuries and returning injured staff to work safely. Her passion is consulting on new construction and renovations along side project managers and architects to better design the environment we work in. Outside of work Brooke enjoys trying new restaurants, baking and hiking.

Stacie Kamitaki, Treasurer

Stacie received her Bachelor’s Degree in business at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA and her OTD from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Since then she has moved back home to Honolulu in 2016 and has been working at Kaiser Permanente with adult patients in the outpatient setting. Outside of work Stacie enjoys staying busy with trying new foods, staying active, being outside, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Kara Crosson, Secretary

Kara is born and raised in Hawaii and is a graduate of Creighton University where she received her OTD. She currently works in the outpatient setting at Kaiser Permanente. Kara has been a member of OTAH since 2010 and has served as secretary since 2019. What she enjoys most about occupational therapy is interacting with her patients as she helps them get back to their meaningful activities.

Claire Nagatori, Outer Island Board of Directors

Claire received her BS in OT from the University Puget Sound in 1983. After completing her fieldwork assignments in Washington state, she moved back home to Oahu. Worked for 9 years at Hawaii State Hospital and then 2 years at Kalihi Palama Mental Health Clinic as a Vocational Rehab Specialist. Later she moved to Hilo to work at Hilo Medical Center. She would rotate working on all the units including acute behavioral health, acute medical/ surgical, long term care, home health, and in the outpatient clinic. For the past 7 years, She primarily worked in the outpatient clinic. She is grateful to be a part of an amazing profession and for this opportunity to represent the outer island therapists.

Education Committee

Kari Whitaker graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (cum laude) and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She started her occupational therapy career in acute care rehabilitation with additional experience in inpatient rehabilitation and subacute rehabilitation settings and is currently working full time in outpatient rehabilitation services. Kari has future goals to pursue certifications in both hand therapy and neurological disorders in outpatient rehabilitation.

She maintains current active status with NBCOT and Hawaii State Licensure and is a current member of AOTA and OTAH. She has been chairperson or member of OTAH’s education committee for over 10 years including planning and executing the annual state conference and variety of seminars as well as other continuing education opportunities. OTAH had its first virtual conference October 2020, which was a completely different undertaking and learning experience all on its own! In addition, Kari has been a guest lecturer at KCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

Kari enjoys participating in volleyball and basketball activities; fun fact – she has successfully finished 3 marathons. She loves spending time with her husband and two energetic sons.

Pamela Anderson

Avis Sakata

Virginia Tully

Keri Yamamoto

Wendy Tsutsui

Eva Shing, co-chair

Patrice Googermont

Tiffany Kawaguchi

Donna Lee

Tisha Taba

Liana Chee

Jana Tsuruda, co-chair

Irene Arseneau

Kara Crosson