Our Founding Members
Founding Chairman- Lesley Garcia
In June 2004 I was nominated by a tiny group of 4 other OT colleagues to be Founding
Chair of the fledging Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA) at
our first meeting. I have since had the deep honour to serve the occupational therapy
profession in Trinidad and Tobago in a various roles including TTOTA Chair, Treasurer, and
Delegate to WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapists). All of these positions
taught me a great deal about association leadership, but most important of all I cherish
the friendships and collegiality of those years working to build TTOTA. TTOTA has grown
from a small but committed membership of OTs, including many foreign-recruited OTs, to
what it is now, an association thriving with an increasingly locally educated and
Caribbean committed membership of over 30 colleagues!
From 2005 to 2011, I was the CPRM (Council of Professions Related to medicine) Chair of
the OT SLP Board and was again supported by fellow board members from OT and
Speech. In the wider Caribbean, I was elected as the President of the Association of
Caribbean Occupational Therapists (ACOT) 2007 to 2009, having convened the 8 th ACOT
Biennial Scientific Conference in 2007 in Trinidad. I also served as Treasurer on the
Board of the Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organization from 2007 to 2010. In
this last capacity I thoroughly enjoyed spearheading Team HOPE (How Ordinary People
Do Extraordinary things) and learning how to participate in triathlons! Team HOPE
became a TTOTA signature activity and not only raised awareness for occupational
therapy, and funds for TTOTA’s commitments including the Rosemary Green Bursary, but
also provided a vehicle to form lasting relationships with community and corporate
partners whose support, without doubt, significantly helped the association to grow.
Throughout the years between 2004 and 2012 clinically I ran a small private practice
seeing older adults for a range of conditions. Between 2012 and 2015 I ran Hibiscus
Place for Seniors- a Therapeutic Activity -- inspired by my mother who was then living
with Alzheimer Disease. I was deeply privileged to be able to give back to my mother
and other elders by way of this model of practice. After championing for an OT
education programme for several years, I was asked to establish the Master of Science in
Occupational Therapy at the University of the Southern Caribbean by researching the
occupational needs of Caribbean people and designing an MSOT curriculum. I was most
pleased when, in 2016, TTOTA earned full membership in WFOT as a result of gaining
WFOT curricular approval of the USC MSOT curriculum. Teaching the first cohort of
locally educated OT graduate student has been one of the sweetest highlights of my
career. I continue to be an adjunct teaching faculty member in this programme.
My heart lies at the intersection of OT practice with older adults, and education of the
next generation of advocates and innovators for meaningful occupations for all. In 2019,
I was fortunate to win a Marie Curie-Sklodowsaka Actions fellowship funded by the EU
Horizons 2020 programme. I started a PhD research project at the University of
Nottingham focusing on the suitability of the recovery approach and technology for
people living with dementia. As a lifelong learner, I can be found at any OT conference,
or creative arts event encouraging people to think about OT as a career!
In June 2004 I was nominated by a tiny group of 4 other OT colleagues to be Founding
Chair of the fledging Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA) at
our first meeting. I have since had the deep honour to serve the occupational therapy
profession in Trinidad and Tobago in a various roles including TTOTA Chair, Treasurer, and
Delegate to WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapists). All of these positions
taught me a great deal about association leadership, but most important of all I cherish
the friendships and collegiality of those years working to build TTOTA. TTOTA has grown
from a small but committed membership of OTs, including many foreign-recruited OTs, to
what it is now, an association thriving with an increasingly locally educated and
Caribbean committed membership of over 30 colleagues!
From 2005 to 2011, I was the CPRM (Council of Professions Related to medicine) Chair of
the OT SLP Board and was again supported by fellow board members from OT and
Speech. In the wider Caribbean, I was elected as the President of the Association of
Caribbean Occupational Therapists (ACOT) 2007 to 2009, having convened the 8 th ACOT
Biennial Scientific Conference in 2007 in Trinidad. I also served as Treasurer on the
Board of the Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organization from 2007 to 2010. In
this last capacity I thoroughly enjoyed spearheading Team HOPE (How Ordinary People
Do Extraordinary things) and learning how to participate in triathlons! Team HOPE
became a TTOTA signature activity and not only raised awareness for occupational
therapy, and funds for TTOTA’s commitments including the Rosemary Green Bursary, but
also provided a vehicle to form lasting relationships with community and corporate
partners whose support, without doubt, significantly helped the association to grow.
Throughout the years between 2004 and 2012 clinically I ran a small private practice
seeing older adults for a range of conditions. Between 2012 and 2015 I ran Hibiscus
Place for Seniors- a Therapeutic Activity -- inspired by my mother who was then living
with Alzheimer Disease. I was deeply privileged to be able to give back to my mother
and other elders by way of this model of practice. After championing for an OT
education programme for several years, I was asked to establish the Master of Science in
Occupational Therapy at the University of the Southern Caribbean by researching the
occupational needs of Caribbean people and designing an MSOT curriculum. I was most
pleased when, in 2016, TTOTA earned full membership in WFOT as a result of gaining
WFOT curricular approval of the USC MSOT curriculum. Teaching the first cohort of
locally educated OT graduate student has been one of the sweetest highlights of my
career. I continue to be an adjunct teaching faculty member in this programme.
My heart lies at the intersection of OT practice with older adults, and education of the
next generation of advocates and innovators for meaningful occupations for all. In 2019,
I was fortunate to win a Marie Curie-Sklodowsaka Actions fellowship funded by the EU
Horizons 2020 programme. I started a PhD research project at the University of
Nottingham focusing on the suitability of the recovery approach and technology for
people living with dementia. As a lifelong learner, I can be found at any OT conference,
or creative arts event encouraging people to think about OT as a career!
Founding Secretary- Rosemary Green
I was nominated the founding Secretary of TTOTA in 2004, and stepped up as acting
Chair in 2017. As Tobago had many foreign recruited OT’s, I was often the sole
permanent member from Tobago. I always felt it was important to also pull in our
support workers whenever possible. We all attended the 2007 ACOT Conference, a
contingent of 2 OTs and 2 support workers from Tobago by then, and it was a huge hit
and a pleasure to help organise.
Over the years I was happy to offer TTOTA members stress-reducing alternatives to
doing the work: we held team-building activities at the beach and hours and hours
drafting the Code of Ethics in the garden space at Kariwak Hotel. We were grateful for
support from Tobago businesses for hosting meetings and spreading the word among the
community. I became known for my motto: “Just get on with it!” Whatever our mottos
were, we certainly worked flat out and achieved! I think the creation of TTOTA is
something to be very proud of, very proud indeed. And what fun it was.
I retired from Tobago Health Authority in 2016 and returned to England in 2017. I now
live in Somerset, Southwest England in a tiny hamlet where most houses were built in
the 16th century. My husband and I have 6 grandchildren and are fully involved in village
life enjoying retirement. Our 6 grandchildren are 5 boys and 1 girl. Our eldest grandson,
now 18, is profoundly Autistic. We see as much of them as possible. Village life… village
life requires everyone to become involved at some level. I belong to the woman's
institute supporting women with talks, crafts, the History Society and Church Choir and
much more. It’s a very full way of life.
I was nominated the founding Secretary of TTOTA in 2004, and stepped up as acting
Chair in 2017. As Tobago had many foreign recruited OT’s, I was often the sole
permanent member from Tobago. I always felt it was important to also pull in our
support workers whenever possible. We all attended the 2007 ACOT Conference, a
contingent of 2 OTs and 2 support workers from Tobago by then, and it was a huge hit
and a pleasure to help organise.
Over the years I was happy to offer TTOTA members stress-reducing alternatives to
doing the work: we held team-building activities at the beach and hours and hours
drafting the Code of Ethics in the garden space at Kariwak Hotel. We were grateful for
support from Tobago businesses for hosting meetings and spreading the word among the
community. I became known for my motto: “Just get on with it!” Whatever our mottos
were, we certainly worked flat out and achieved! I think the creation of TTOTA is
something to be very proud of, very proud indeed. And what fun it was.
I retired from Tobago Health Authority in 2016 and returned to England in 2017. I now
live in Somerset, Southwest England in a tiny hamlet where most houses were built in
the 16th century. My husband and I have 6 grandchildren and are fully involved in village
life enjoying retirement. Our 6 grandchildren are 5 boys and 1 girl. Our eldest grandson,
now 18, is profoundly Autistic. We see as much of them as possible. Village life… village
life requires everyone to become involved at some level. I belong to the woman's
institute supporting women with talks, crafts, the History Society and Church Choir and
much more. It’s a very full way of life.
Founding Treasurer- Neela Ojar
Neela qualified at Brunel University in 2003 and returned to Trinidad in 2004. She met
Rosemary and then Lesley and formed part of the core founding members of TTOTA.
Neela served as Treasurer until she returned to the UK to live and work in 2005. She has continued to practice in mental health and currently works in the Scottish Borders.
Neela qualified at Brunel University in 2003 and returned to Trinidad in 2004. She met
Rosemary and then Lesley and formed part of the core founding members of TTOTA.
Neela served as Treasurer until she returned to the UK to live and work in 2005. She has continued to practice in mental health and currently works in the Scottish Borders.
Founding Associate Representative - Margaret Hussain
I worked as an occupational therapy assistant in Wandsworth Social Services,
Occupational Therapy Department in London. In 2001, this OT service received an award
from the then Prime Minister Tony Blair for being the best run service within the London
region. When I retired and moved back to Trinidad in 2004 and I met up with Rosemary
and then Lesley. I was eager to use my skills and knowledge to support the development
of occupational therapy in the country. At our first official meeting I was nominated
Associate Representative. Thereafter, I was hands on involved in all the activities we
needed to do to make the association known.
It was hot work, but we manned a booth at the TTARP Health Fair displaying adaptive
equipment; hosted a booth at the Hilton Hotel Health and Wellness Week sharing about
employee wellness and ergonomics; ran a BBQ to raise funds to develop our website and
promotional materials, and organized the first continuing education seminar on
Accessibility Consultation which included representatives from the Ministries of Works
and Transport, and Town and Country Planning. A highlight of those years was my
involvement in organizing the then biggest ACOT Scientific Biennial Conference in 2007
at Mt. St. Benedict’s Conference Centre. At this point there were two TTOTA members in
Trinidad and two in Tobago, but we did it! The beautiful sunset views from Pax Guest
House and the boat cruise Down the Islands shared with visiting OT colleagues from
around the world made it all worthwhile.
More recently, I have been fully engaged in my retirement life focusing on travelling and
staying in contact with my family who live spread wide and far. Keeping in close contact
there is no shortage of need for my OT skills even among my own family! Always
concerned with the welfare of children, locally, I am also involved with groups that
support at-risk youth. I am involved in sponsoring and organizing outings and special
events for these children. It’s a joy to be able to be healthy and well enough to keep up
with all the important people in my life from the toddlers to seniors.
I worked as an occupational therapy assistant in Wandsworth Social Services,
Occupational Therapy Department in London. In 2001, this OT service received an award
from the then Prime Minister Tony Blair for being the best run service within the London
region. When I retired and moved back to Trinidad in 2004 and I met up with Rosemary
and then Lesley. I was eager to use my skills and knowledge to support the development
of occupational therapy in the country. At our first official meeting I was nominated
Associate Representative. Thereafter, I was hands on involved in all the activities we
needed to do to make the association known.
It was hot work, but we manned a booth at the TTARP Health Fair displaying adaptive
equipment; hosted a booth at the Hilton Hotel Health and Wellness Week sharing about
employee wellness and ergonomics; ran a BBQ to raise funds to develop our website and
promotional materials, and organized the first continuing education seminar on
Accessibility Consultation which included representatives from the Ministries of Works
and Transport, and Town and Country Planning. A highlight of those years was my
involvement in organizing the then biggest ACOT Scientific Biennial Conference in 2007
at Mt. St. Benedict’s Conference Centre. At this point there were two TTOTA members in
Trinidad and two in Tobago, but we did it! The beautiful sunset views from Pax Guest
House and the boat cruise Down the Islands shared with visiting OT colleagues from
around the world made it all worthwhile.
More recently, I have been fully engaged in my retirement life focusing on travelling and
staying in contact with my family who live spread wide and far. Keeping in close contact
there is no shortage of need for my OT skills even among my own family! Always
concerned with the welfare of children, locally, I am also involved with groups that
support at-risk youth. I am involved in sponsoring and organizing outings and special
events for these children. It’s a joy to be able to be healthy and well enough to keep up
with all the important people in my life from the toddlers to seniors.
Founding Member - Nicola McGarvey
I had the privilege of working with TTOTA in 2004-2005 which were the very early days
of foundational development for the association. I had come to Trinidad to integrate with
a church that was partnered with my own back in Coventry, UK. I had a strong interest
in understanding the way occupational therapy was expressed within the country and to
develop new skills by partnering with those embedded clinically and those looking for
bring change.
My role from the start was to support with the overall objective of sharing the good news
of occupational therapy and particularly to educate the future workforce about OT and
the national need for stronger representation. The responsibility I was given by TTOTA
was to gain permission to go into schools across the country and deliver presentations to
young people about OT, inspiring and challenging them to think about OT as a career
choice and, crucially, to strongly encourage a sense of responsibility to contribute to
strengthening the impact of OT in T&T. At the time, the only option for registration was
to study abroad and so this conviction to return when registered was an important
message alongside inspiring people into the profession.
Since returning to the UK I have had a number of roles within the field of mental health.
I have completed a research masters’ degree and become a clinical leader, specialising in
the field of older people and dementia. I have also led on innovations in OT, developing a
new trauma informed pathway for children and young people and I am currently working
for NHS England in the Workforce, Training and Education directorate, supporting the
development of AHP (Allied health Practitioners) at a regional level.
I look back at my time at TTOTA with great fondness and can see the important
leadership skills I gained (the weather was a lot better than the UK too!)
I had the privilege of working with TTOTA in 2004-2005 which were the very early days
of foundational development for the association. I had come to Trinidad to integrate with
a church that was partnered with my own back in Coventry, UK. I had a strong interest
in understanding the way occupational therapy was expressed within the country and to
develop new skills by partnering with those embedded clinically and those looking for
bring change.
My role from the start was to support with the overall objective of sharing the good news
of occupational therapy and particularly to educate the future workforce about OT and
the national need for stronger representation. The responsibility I was given by TTOTA
was to gain permission to go into schools across the country and deliver presentations to
young people about OT, inspiring and challenging them to think about OT as a career
choice and, crucially, to strongly encourage a sense of responsibility to contribute to
strengthening the impact of OT in T&T. At the time, the only option for registration was
to study abroad and so this conviction to return when registered was an important
message alongside inspiring people into the profession.
Since returning to the UK I have had a number of roles within the field of mental health.
I have completed a research masters’ degree and become a clinical leader, specialising in
the field of older people and dementia. I have also led on innovations in OT, developing a
new trauma informed pathway for children and young people and I am currently working
for NHS England in the Workforce, Training and Education directorate, supporting the
development of AHP (Allied health Practitioners) at a regional level.
I look back at my time at TTOTA with great fondness and can see the important
leadership skills I gained (the weather was a lot better than the UK too!)
Early Contributing Member - Sara Stephens Deyal
My journey in Trinidad and Tobago began in 2005, guided by TTOTA (Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association). When I arrived, there was no GPS or WhatsApp to navigate my way—just directions and a warm welcome from TTOTA’s founding members.
The association had just formed, and I quickly became one of six practicing occupational therapists in the whole country, with only one other focused on pediatrics. My adventures with TTOTA began with my first meeting! I met my new colleagues and I was elected treasurer, a role I embraced for most of my active TTOTA years through 2019. The monthly meetings were a lifeline, offering support, mentorship, and collaboration that shaped my career. As a relatively new OT with three years of experience and no direct pediatric mentorship, I relied on TTOTA to grow professionally and address the challenges of a new environment. TTOTA started to become a driving force to grow services for our special needs community, and it was also pivotal in my journey. In 2008, taking the mission to heart, I co-founded Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organization (CKFTO) with special needs parent, Laura Escayg, to make therapy services accessible to all. In 2014, speech therapist, Robyn Edwards, and I launched Therapy Works, a multidisciplinary clinic providing holistic support to families. The growth of these initiatives was deeply influenced by TTOTA’s culture of collaboration and its commitment to advancing the profession.
My involvement with TTOTA also exposed me to new experiences and roles, from organizing scientific conferences to creative fundraising for scholarships through Team HOPE, and even supporting the World Federation of Occupational Therapists during an
interim board meeting. The association has always been more than a professional
group—it is a dynamic force driving the field forward, and I saw firsthand how a small,
dedicated community could impact healthcare across an entire country.
Over two decades, I witnessed a transformation in the local OT landscape, largely due to
TTOTA’s efforts. Young Trinbagonians began pursuing studies abroad and returning to
practice, while others graduated from the local master’s program at USC, significantly
expanding the workforce. The association's persistent advocacy and leadership were
instrumental in this growth, setting a growth rate for the profession that hasn’t been
matched across other islands.
By 2019, Trinidad and Tobago’s OT community had reached a tipping point where the
majority was now local therapists. My husband George and I returned to the U.S. to be
closer to family. Today, I work with children and families at Lucile Packard Children’s
Hospital in California. The lessons I learned as a member of TTOTA and my time in T&T
still impact my daily practice. The association shaped not just my career but the
trajectory of occupational therapy in Trinidad and Tobago, and for that, I am forever
grateful.
My journey in Trinidad and Tobago began in 2005, guided by TTOTA (Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association). When I arrived, there was no GPS or WhatsApp to navigate my way—just directions and a warm welcome from TTOTA’s founding members.
The association had just formed, and I quickly became one of six practicing occupational therapists in the whole country, with only one other focused on pediatrics. My adventures with TTOTA began with my first meeting! I met my new colleagues and I was elected treasurer, a role I embraced for most of my active TTOTA years through 2019. The monthly meetings were a lifeline, offering support, mentorship, and collaboration that shaped my career. As a relatively new OT with three years of experience and no direct pediatric mentorship, I relied on TTOTA to grow professionally and address the challenges of a new environment. TTOTA started to become a driving force to grow services for our special needs community, and it was also pivotal in my journey. In 2008, taking the mission to heart, I co-founded Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organization (CKFTO) with special needs parent, Laura Escayg, to make therapy services accessible to all. In 2014, speech therapist, Robyn Edwards, and I launched Therapy Works, a multidisciplinary clinic providing holistic support to families. The growth of these initiatives was deeply influenced by TTOTA’s culture of collaboration and its commitment to advancing the profession.
My involvement with TTOTA also exposed me to new experiences and roles, from organizing scientific conferences to creative fundraising for scholarships through Team HOPE, and even supporting the World Federation of Occupational Therapists during an
interim board meeting. The association has always been more than a professional
group—it is a dynamic force driving the field forward, and I saw firsthand how a small,
dedicated community could impact healthcare across an entire country.
Over two decades, I witnessed a transformation in the local OT landscape, largely due to
TTOTA’s efforts. Young Trinbagonians began pursuing studies abroad and returning to
practice, while others graduated from the local master’s program at USC, significantly
expanding the workforce. The association's persistent advocacy and leadership were
instrumental in this growth, setting a growth rate for the profession that hasn’t been
matched across other islands.
By 2019, Trinidad and Tobago’s OT community had reached a tipping point where the
majority was now local therapists. My husband George and I returned to the U.S. to be
closer to family. Today, I work with children and families at Lucile Packard Children’s
Hospital in California. The lessons I learned as a member of TTOTA and my time in T&T
still impact my daily practice. The association shaped not just my career but the
trajectory of occupational therapy in Trinidad and Tobago, and for that, I am forever
grateful.
