Comprehensive Orthopedic Global, VI (COG VI) announced Friday that it sponsored the 16th Biennial Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists (ACOT) Conference, an event that drew healthcare professionals, educators, and students from across the region to advance collaboration and innovation in orthopedic and rehabilitative care.
Held in Anguilla under the theme “Making Waves Across the Caribbean,” the conference marked a milestone as the first in-person gathering of the Caribbean occupational therapy community since the COVID-19 pandemic. The event celebrated the resilience, creativity, and unity that define occupational therapists and their growing influence throughout the Caribbean.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Anguilla Minister for Social Development & Education, Shellya Rogers-Webster, who commended Dr. Kniquiah Hughes, president of the Association, for her leadership and dedication to expanding awareness of occupational therapy across the region. A proud daughter of Anguilla, Dr. Hughes was praised for her efforts in bringing occupational therapy services to the island, providing education and support to patients and families, and advocating for expanded access to care in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
Dr. Brian C. Bacot, medical director of COG VI, expressed deep pride in supporting the event and applauded Dr. Hughes’s work.
“Congratulations to Dr. Hughes for her amazing work assembling this program on an international scale,” Dr. Bacot said. “We are honored to have her as part of the COG VI family and team, and we’re grateful that she brings her expertise to our patients across St. Croix, St. Thomas, the BVI, and Anguilla. As a leader in orthopedic excellence across St. Croix, St. Thomas, the BVI, and Anguilla, COG VI remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance medical education and patient outcomes throughout the region.”
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Delano Mussington, who shared his personal story of recovery and reintegration, highlighting the transformative impact of occupational therapy in daily life. Reflecting on the conference’s theme, Dr. Hughes remarked, “We are not only making waves, but we are riding the waves across the region.”
Chairperson Dr. Douglene Jackson also acknowledged the wide participation of delegates representing territories across the Caribbean, including Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Maarten. The gathering, she noted, reinforced the sense of purpose, compassion, and creativity that continues to propel the profession forward.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in dynamic presentations, interactive discussions, and networking sessions that underscored the importance of collaboration in improving the quality of rehabilitative care. The event also featured the Community Day program, inviting the public to learn more about occupational therapy at the UWI Open Campus on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
For COG VI, the sponsorship represented more than corporate partnership — it was an affirmation of its mission to support education, empowerment, and innovation in healthcare across the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean.
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