Missi A. Zahoransky, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Photo of Miss Zahoransky
Instructor
440-759-3701

Hometown: Hinckley, OH
Joined Chatham: 2021 Faculty; 2018 Student

ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST

Administration and Management; Musculoskeletal and Sensorimotor Disorders; Home and Community-Based Care; Telehealth

PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

Reading, Writing poetry, Travel, Shopping, Being in the Sunshine

BIOGRAPHY

Missi graduated with both her Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Health Sciences from Cleveland State University. She continued her education receiving her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Chatham University with her focus on Telehealth use in Home Healthcare populations. Missi founded the first therapy-owned Medicare-certified home care agency in the U.S. and owns a therapy contract company. She is a consultant for home care agencies and other post-acute care providers with a focus on reimbursement, policy and practice, alternate payment models, and telehealth. She presents at the national and state level, has served in numerous capacities for AOTA and has published extensively. She has authored chapters on home healthcare, ethics, Medicare policy and reimbursement, and regulatory issues. Missi has received the prestigious FAOTA award, the OOTA Award of Merit, and has been recognized for her time and dedication when she received the CSU Distinguished Alumni Award. She is adjunct faculty at both her alma maters, Chatham University and Cleveland State University. She is married to her college sweetheart and is the proud mother of four children and a rescue dog, Ollie.

EDUCATION

  • Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Chatham University, 2019

  •  Master of Health Science, Cleveland State University, 2002

  •  Bachelor of Science, Cleveland State University, 1989

ORGANIZATIONS
  • Member, American Occupational Therapy Association
AWARDS

  • AOTA Service Commendation Award 2011-2020

  •  Cleveland State University Distinguished Alumni Award 2018

  •  Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association 2018

  •  Dorothy Royce Award- Ohio Council for Home Care 2007

  •  Who’s Who Businesswoman 2005

  •  Ohio Council of Home Care Educational Award 2005

  •  OOTA Award of Merit 2000

  •  AOTA Service Commendation Award 2000

  •  OOTA Service Award 1996

  •  OOTA Service Award 1994

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  • Zahoransky, M. & Lape, J. (2020). Telehealth and home health occupational therapy: Clients’ perceived satisfaction with and perception of occupational performance. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 12(2), 105-123. 

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2016). Medicare as payer. In K. Vance (Ed.), Home Health Care: A Guide for Occupational Therapy Practice. AOTA Press.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2016). Medicare as regulator. In K. Vance (Ed.), Home Health Care: A Guide for Occupational Therapy Practice. AOTA Press.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2015). Practicing to your full potential. American Occupational Therapy Association Special Interest Quarterly, 22(4), 1-4.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2015). Home health care. In B. Bonder & V. Dal Bello-Haas, V. (Eds.), Functional Performance in Older Adults. (4th ed., pp. 471-488). F.A. Davis.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2015). Administration and management: Ethical challenges. In J. Scott & S.M. Reitz (Eds.), Practical Applications for the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. (2nd ed.). AOTA Press.

  •  Zahoransky, M., Krulisch, L., & Skrine, R. (2014, May). Best practices for improvement in dressing. Home Care Therapy Teleconference Series.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2011, March). Requirements for Medicare-Certified Home Health: American Occupational Therapy Association Guidance for Completing Functional Reassessments and Documentation. AOTA Statement Paper.

  •  Zahoransky, M., & Justice, J. (2011, February). Educating clients, practitioners, and other medical professionals. OT Practice, 16(3), 17.

  •  Flowers, D., Siebert, C., & Zahoransky, M. (2011). The role of the occupational therapy practice framework in home health care. OT Practice, 16(13), CE1-CE8. CEU course.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (2009). Community mobility: It’s not just driving anymore. American Occupational Therapy Association Special Interest Quarterly, 16(4), 1-3.

  •  Zahoransky, M., & Scott, J. (2006, June). Opportunities in home care. OT Practice, 11(10), 17-20.

  •  Trump, S., Zahoransky, M., & Siefert, C. (2005). Occupational therapy and hospice. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59, 671-675.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (September 2004). Falls: Information and prevention. Ohio Assisted Living Association Newsletter, 2-5.

  • Zahoransky, M. (2000). The system and its players. In C. Piersol & P. Ehrlich (Eds.), Home health practice: A guide for the occupational therapist. Imaginart.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1999). The BBA and home health: Turning adversity into opportunity (reissue with updates). OT Week, 13(2), 12.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1998). Teamwork in home care: fundamentals to survival. OT Practice, 3(11), 29-31.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1998). BBA and home health: turning adversity into opportunity. OT Week, 12(10), 10.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1998). Managing change in managed care. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Resource Manual.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1998). Home health care. American Occupational Therapy Association Special Interest Quarterly, 5(3), 1-2.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1998). OTs bring it home. Rehab Management, 11(3), 48-51.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (September/October 1998). Therapists and HME. Home Health Care Dealer, 10(5), 53-54.

  •  Zahoransky, M. (1997). Administrative/operational issues and misconceptions in homecare. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51(6).

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

  • Telehealth as a Feasible Service Delivery Model for Occupational Therapy. Invited speaker for Arizona Telehealth Special Interest Section, March 2021.

  •  Homecare 2020 and Beyond. American Occupational Therapy Association Virtual Conference, April 2020.

  •  Responding to COVID-19 in Post-Acute Care Settings. Invited speaker. American Occupational Therapy Association, April 2020.

  •  Navigating Telehealth in Post-Acute Care Part I-The Basics. Invited speaker for CE Webinar. Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, April 2020.

  •  Navigating Telehealth in Post-Acute Care Part II-Assessment, Treatment & Documentation. Invited speaker for CE Webinar. Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, April 2020.

  •  Homecare: Understanding the World We Now Live in and the Future We Should Be a Leader in. OOTA Annual Conference, October 2019.

  •  Telehealth 2020 & Beyond: Opportunities and Challenges. Co-presented with Marnie Renda. OOTA Annual Conference, October 2019.

  •  Homecare- How OT can Lead and Succeed in the New Environment of Change and Our Distinct Value: Part II. Co-presented with Sherry DiFrancisco. OOTA Annual Conference, October 2018.

  •  Homecare- How OT can Lead and Succeed in the New Environment of Change and Our Distinct Value: Part I. Co-presented with Sherry DiFrancisco. OOTA Annual Conference, October 2018.

  •  Homecare- How OT can Lead and Succeed in the New Environment of Change.  American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2018.

  •  Implications and Opportunities for Home Health and Community Practice in Current Health Payment Reform. Presented with Monika Robinson and Marnie Renda. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2017.

  •  Occupational Therapy’s Distinct Value in Mental Health Promotion, Prevention, and Intervention in All Settings Across the Lifespan. Presented with Sue Bazyk. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2017.

  •  Medicare Home Care Policy Update. Presented with John Ray. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2017.

  •  Medicare Alternative Payment Models: Current Trends and Future Landscape. Presented with Ashley Delosh. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2017.

  •  Homecare OT: Practice and Policy in the Modern Healthcare Environment. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 2016.

  •  Panel Discussion on Mental Health. Cleveland State University, April 2016

  •  Coding OT Services: The Current and Future Status of CPT Codes. Presented with Sharmila Sandhu and Bryan Hull. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2015.

  •  The Modern Home Care OT and Quality Care Outcomes: A Practical Approach to Connecting the Dots Between Outcomes and Client-Directed Care. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2016.

  •  Medicare Home Care Policy Update. Presented with John Ray. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2016.

  •  The Modern Home Care OT: Reigniting Passion for Home Health while Aligning Practice with Policy. Presented with Jennifer DeRosa. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2015.

  •  Medicare Home Care Policy Update. Presented with John Ray and Karen Vance. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2015.

  •  Thriving at Home: Tips and Tools for OTs in Home Health Settings. Presented with Jennifer DeRosa and Tracy Van Oss. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2015.

  •  Becoming a Home Care Therapist the Right Way! American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2014.

  •  Medicare Part A Policy Update. Presented with Jennifer Bogenrief, Chris Metzler and Tracy VanOss. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2012.

  • Home Health Care: The New Reality. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 2011.

  •  OASIS C, Item Detail and Care Plans in Home Health. Presented with Carol Siebert and Karen Vance. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2011.

  •  OASIS C, Comprehensive Assessments and Quality. Presented with Carol Siebert and Karen Vance. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2011.

  •  The Home and Community-Based Team of OTs-Our Roles and Responsibilities to Each Other and the Patient After Inpatient Discharge. Presented with Tina Shadley. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2011.

  •  Medicare Home Health Policy and Practice. Presented with Ralph Kohl and Karen Vance. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2011.

  •  OASIS-C and Other Practice Issues in Home Health. Presented with Sherry DiFrancisco. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 2010.

  •  Who Are You to Tell Me My Plan of Care? Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 2010.

  •  OASIS-C and Other Practice Issues in Home Health. Presented with Carol Siebert and Karen Vance. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2010.

  •  OT in Home Health: It’s Ours to Lose. Presented with Carol Siebert and Karen Vance. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2010.

  •  Geriatric Rehab: Promoting Safety, Health and Independence: Home Care- FAQs re: PPS and OBQI. Presented with Sherry DiFrancisco. Rehab Educators, October 2004.

  •  Focus on Function: Improving Functional Outcomes. Ohio KePro Teleconference, June 2004.

  •  The Role of Home Care in Assisted Living. Northeast Ohio Health Care Association Annual Conference, June 2004.

  •  Falls....The Why and What to Do. Ohio Assisted Living Association Summer Conference June 2004.

  •  How Homecare Can and Will Improve Quality of Life in Your Assisted Living Facility. Ohio Health Care Association Annual Convention, May 2004.

  •  Communication Strategies for Assessing and Improving Function. Presented with Linda Krulisch and Rebecca Skrine. Home Therapy Services Teleconference, May 2004.

  •  Financial Issues: Managing Care and Cost- The Impact of Therapy. Ohio Council for Home Care Fall Conference, October 2003.

  •  Financial Issues: Managing Care and Cost. Ohio Council for Home Care Annual Conference, October 2003.

  •  Home Care in Assisted Living. Ohio Health Care Association, May 2003.

  •  Demystifying Skilled Services. Cuyahoga Community College Center for Applied Gerontology Conference, March 2003.

  •  Home Care, Community Practice and OT: A Recipe for Success. Presented with Jeanne Redmond and Denise Godwin. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 2002.

  •  Home Care and All the Good Stuff. Ohio Association of Occupational Health Nurses State Conference, October 2002.

  •  Home Care, Community Practice and OT. American Assisted Living Facility Association Conference, June 2002.

  •  The New Millennium of Home Care: Opportunities Abound! Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 2000.

  •  Home Care: Keeping Ahead of the Changes. Presented with Carol Seibert. Rehab Educators, September 2000.

  •  Therapy Services: The Importance of Achieving Appropriate Referral, Assessment, and Utilization Practices. National Association for Home Care Teleconference, August 2000.

  •  The Therapist Role in OASIS and PPS. National Association for Home Care Teleconference, April 2000.

  •  New Opportunities for Occupational Therapy in Home Health. American Occupational Therapy Association Practice Conference, November 1998.

  •  Home Care: Survival of the Fittest. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 1998.

  •  The New Frontier of Occupational Therapy and Reimbursement. Presented with Kim Zeidenstein. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, October 1998.

  •  Home Care Seminar. Presented with Holly Laughlin, Christine Raber, Mary Jo McGuire, and Jeanne Redmond. Rehab Educators, October 1998.

  •  Testimony, Small Business Administration Hearing. Regulatory Fairness Hearing Board, August 1998.

  •  Home Care Seminar: Issues in 1997. Presented with Amy Kaval, Holly Laughlin, Jeanne Polo, Marti Sayre, Rebecca Robinson-Brown, and Mary Jo McGuire. Rehab Educators, September 1997.

  •  Home Care 2000. Presented with Holly Laughlin. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Pre-Conference Workshop, October 1996.

  •  What is Managed Care? Ohio State Managed Care Annual Conference, June 1996.