Susan Skees Hermes

She has been nationally board certified in pediatrics by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since 2010, and Sensory Integration International (SII) certified since 2000. Other certifications include Board Certified in Telepractice Specialist, Mental Health 1st Aid for Higher Education, and Certified in Youth Mental Health Specialist.

Susan has 40 years of clinical experience working with all ages and populations. Her expansive areas of practice and expertise include mental health, school based, home health, community health, advocacy, education, and consulting. Her current research interests include: school-based collaborative practice, occupational therapy’s role in disaster and emergency planning, mental health, DEI/ JAB, IPC/IDC telehealth, and professional association leadership development.

Most recently Dr. Skees Hermes received the AOTA Roster of Fellows Award. Her other recognitions and awards include the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) Award of Recognition 2017, the EKU Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning (FCTL) Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award 2022, the EKU Student Government Association Distinguished Educator Leader Award for Community Service 2022, and multi year nominee for the EKU College of Health Sciences (CHS) Outstanding College-Specific Student Success Seminar Instructor Award.

AOTA leadership roles began with the co-chairperson position for the AOTA Annual 2010 conference in Orlando, Florida on the Local Conference Committee (LCC) / Hospitality committee. She has been on the Volunteer Leadership Development Committee (VLDC), Representative Assembly Florida Delegate Alternate, AOTA DD SIS) Advisory Group, and multiple ad-hoc initiatives. Besides these team roles in the AOTA, Dr Skees Hermes has been in various elected and appointed leadership roles in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Texas and Florida state occupational therapy associations. During the COVID 19 pandemic, she was appointed to co-chair the Kentucky Telehealth Program workforce school based team.
Her innovation and enthusiastic drive for visionary roles for occupational therapy have been a distinct part of her path. She was a founding and sustained member of the FOTA Leadership Institute. While in Orlando, she founded the Central Florida Pediatric Practice Group. Upon joining academia, she was the founding faculty liaison for the EKU COTAD Chapter. Currently she is a foundation member of the AOTA DD CoP on Emergency Planning and Disaster Management.

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