It is with mixed emotions that on behalf of the Board of Directors, I announce the upcoming retirement of Elinor Larney, Registrar and CEO, of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
Elinor has held the role of Registrar & CEO since 2014, having previously served as Interim Registrar and Deputy Registrar. She is a recognized leader in health care regulation and currently also serves as the President of the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) and past Chair of the Health Profession Regulators of Ontario (HPRO).
With a breadth of regulatory knowledge and experience, Elinor has led the development and evolution of the College.
During her tenure, Elinor has played a key role in advancing professional regulation, including:
- Establishing National Competencies: Elinor was instrumental in the creation and implementation of national professional competencies, improving consistency and reliability across the country.
- Building Strategic Partnerships: Through strong collaboration with key partners, including government bodies, educational institutions, and other industry leaders, Elinor increased public awareness of COTO’s public protection mandate, ensured access to the controlled act of psychotherapy, and furthered labour mobility for occupational therapists.
- Leading Through Change: During the COVID-19 crisis, Elinor demonstrated exceptional leadership, enabling the College to quickly adapt and continue to support occupational therapists in their delivery of safe care during a time of great need. Most recently, Elinor oversaw the multi-year transformation and modernization of College governance.
We are grateful for Elinor’s steady, collaborative leadership over the years. Elinor will officially retire in the summer, and the COTO Board is currently working to identify a successor to ensure a smooth transition. We extend our deepest gratitude to Elinor for her many years of dedication and service.
Neelam Bal
Chair, Board of Directors