Erik S. Johnson
OTD, MS, OTR, FAOTA

Climbing Higher: Innovation, Accessibility, and the Future of OT Practice

In this keynote, Dr. Erik Johnson shares insights from his experiences as clinician, educator, and former Army officer. Drawing on lessons from combat deployments, including receiving the Bronze Star Medal for developing innovative rehabilitation approaches during combat operations, as well as his work with Xbox on advancing game accessibility, he highlights how creativity, leadership, and emerging technologies can expand the future of occupational therapy practice.

Keynote presentation: Saturday, September 26th from 8:45am-9:45am in the Elk Ridge Ball Room (Event Center building)

Presenter Biography:

As an army occupational therapist for more than 15 years, Major Erik Johnson was instrumental in the evaluation and care for service members who had sustained devastating physical, cognitive and mental health injuries during combat operations. He was awarded the prestigious Bronze Star Medal for his work with brain injuries while deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2011. Known for his compassion and innovative approaches to treatment, Major Johnson led from the front throughout his military career including positions as the Officer in Charge for OT at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence Brain Injury Center, the chief of OT Amputee Care at Walter Reed National Military Center and the Chief of OT at the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center. Transitioning from his esteemed military career of two decades, Dr. Johnson now teaches at Tarleton State University in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Erik also serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the non-profit organization, Warfighter Engaged where he specializes in accessible gaming and the use of technology as a therapeutic medium.  He has used video games as a treatment tool for over 15 years and looks for opportunities to advance practice by incorporating them into the mix of traditional approaches.  He also serves as a consultant to the gaming industry for accessible hardware and making content that is more accessible for all gamers regardless of physical, mental, or cognitive deficits. He was on the team that worked with Microsoft to develop the Xbox adaptive controller and more recently worked with 343 Industries on their latest installment of the Halo franchise to ensure proper representation of amputees in the game.