South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus

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President, Nardia Aldridge, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, DTM

Dr. Nardia Aldridge, Ph.D, OTR/L, FAOTA, DTM, is an accomplished Associate Professor within the Occupational Therapy Department at Nova Southeastern University. With a strong educational background, including a BS in Occupational Therapy and an MS in Gerontology, she is dedicated to advancing healthcare and promoting diversity within her field.

Born on the enchanting Island of Jamaica, Dr. Aldridge's journey has been enriched by her remarkable service of nine years in the United States Army, where she had the privilege of meeting her husband, Roger Aldridge. Their enduring partnership has spanned 28 years and has blessed them with two wonderful children.

Dr. Aldridge is a true exemplar of humble leadership, often working quietly behind the scenes to effect meaningful change. Her passion lies in fostering diversity within the occupational therapy profession, a mission she ardently pursues through her various roles. She is not only the President and founder of the South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus but also serves as the Eastern Member at Large for the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. Her dedication extends to her past role as president of the New York State Black Occupational Therapy Caucus for over 14 years.

Vice-President, Nazarah Williams, OTR/L, CLWT

Nazarah Williams is a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) graduate from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Miami and a Certified Lymphedema and Wound Therapist (CLWT). A Brooklyn native, Nazarah has called Florida home for close to a decade, where she pursued her academic journey. During Level II fieldwork rotations in South Florida, she gained valuable experience at an outpatient hand facility and a neuro inpatient rehabilitation placement, cementing her commitment to a holistic approach to helping individuals regain independence and quality of life.

Beyond clinical expertise, Nazarah has a deep-seated interest in advocacy, an essential aspect of occupational therapy that drives positive change in the lives of those in need. Her passion extends to a desire to work in diverse occupational therapy settings, including lymphedema, oncology, pelvic floor, acute care, orthopedics, and neurological rehabilitation. Her well-rounded approach will ensure she can make a meaningful impact within the community.

Nazarah's mission within our organization is to foster regional growth and connections. She has been actively expanding our caucus' presence, sharing her knowledge about occupational therapy with younger generations, and building bridges within the community.


Treasurer, Lakeisha Sanders-Woods, OTR/L 

Lakeisha Sanders-Woods is a passionate advocate for occupational therapy with over two decades of experience in the field. Her journey began at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she laid the foundation for her career and ignited her dedication to improving the lives of individuals through occupational therapy.

With a career spanning more than 20 years, Lakeisha has worked with diverse patient populations across various healthcare settings. Her heart has always been drawn to geriatrics, where she dedicated a significant portion of her career. For 12 years, she served as the Director of Rehabilitation in acute and long-term care settings. This role allowed her to impact the quality of life for countless individuals and their families.

Lakeisha's commitment to the field of occupational therapy extends beyond clinical practice. Over the last 10 years, she has served as an instructor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, nurturing the next generation of occupational therapy professionals. She finds fulfillment in guiding aspiring OTAs on their educational journey and helping to shape their future careers.

Currently, Lakeisha is working in pediatrics within the public school system, serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade. In this role, she continues to support student success by addressing functional performance, promoting independence, and collaborating with educational teams to enhance participation in the school environment.

In addition to her work in education and clinical practice, Lakeisha is proud to be a founding member and treasurer of the SFBOTC. Through this organization, she has actively contributed to advancing the field of occupational therapy and advocating for the well-being of the community. Furthermore, she has presented at the Florida Occupational Therapy Association on various fieldwork issues and emerging practice areas.

Occupational therapy is not just a profession for Lakeisha; it is a calling. She is honored to share her knowledge and experiences through this organization. Whether you are a fellow practitioner, student, or someone interested in the transformative power of occupational therapy, she invites you to join this journey of discovery, growth, and advocacy.


Secretary, Kyrah Maduro, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT BIG

Kyrah Maduro earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree from Nova Southeastern University in August 2025. Born and raised in the British Virgin Islands, she was drawn to occupational therapy through her passion for helping individuals regain independence, rediscover meaning in their lives, and improve their overall quality of life. Kyrah has a strong interest in neurological rehabilitation and, following graduation, became an LSVT BIG Certified Clinician. She continues to expand her expertise in neurorehabilitation while gaining experience working with pediatric populations with complex medical needs, further developing her clinical skills and professional passions.

In addition to her clinical work, Kyrah serves as a guest lecturer, sharing insights from her doctoral capstone project on culturally inclusive care. Her work focuses on educating healthcare professionals about evaluating and incorporating natural hair care considerations into treatment sessions to promote more equitable and culturally responsive practice. Kyrah has also been actively involved in research throughout and beyond her academic career. She has presented her work independently at the FOTA Conference and collaboratively at the AOTA and WFOT Congress alongside her research team.

Beyond the clinical setting, Kyrah has participated in mission trips to Puerto Rico and Jamaica, reflecting her commitment to community outreach and serving underserved and minority populations. Through her involvement in professional organizations, she aims to advocate for culturally inclusive healthcare, support underrepresented communities, mentor future occupational therapy practitioners, and promote greater diversity and representation within the profession.

Student Liaison, Lydia Armand, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Lydia Armand recently graduated with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and is an occupational therapist practicing in acute care in South Florida. She is passionate about supporting individuals with complex medical conditions as they work to regain independence and return to meaningful daily activities. Lydia’s clinical interests include traumatic injuries and orthopedic care, with a focus on helping patients maintain function and dignity during some of the most vulnerable moments of recovery.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Armand is committed to advancing diversity, representation, and mentorship within the occupational therapy profession. She has presented at state, national, and international occupational therapy conferences on increasing diversity and representation in the field, helping to foster important conversations about equity and inclusion within the profession.

Dr. Armand is also dedicated to service and global outreach. She has participated in a mission trip to Jamaica providing free occupational therapy services to underserved communities and will continue her global service work in Africa in June 2026.

As the Student Liaison for the South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus, Dr. Armand aims create events that foster inclusion and support for Black OT students and practitioners.

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South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus is a 501(c)3 public charities non-profit organization

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