You’re invited to a continuing education event with a leader in occupational therapy.
Click HERE to register.
Dr. Varleisha D. (Gibbs) Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS,FAOTA, has over 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She founded and operated a private therapy firm for more than a decade and established Delaware’s first occupational therapy program. Lyons made history as the first Black Indigenous American woman to serve as the Scientific Programs Officer at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTA).
Lyons currently holds the position of vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, access & belonging and governance at AOTA where she has also served as the vice president of practice engagement and capacity building. An international lecturer and author of four books – including a bestseller – Lyons is dedicated to mentoring underrepresented individuals and fostering growth and healing despite traumatic experiences or diagnoses.
Her research spans multiple disciplines and professions, with grant funding in community-based services and interprofessional education and care. Through her efforts, she has guided many into the occupational therapy profession and supported families nationwide through her volunteer work. Lyons’ areas of expertise include neuroanatomy, self-regulation strategies across the lifespan, health inequities, and trauma-responsive approaches.