In a life-long career as an Occupational Therapist, Mary Jo Ray-Jewett has been helping others her entire life. So, when she learned her 12-year-old neighbor, Will Walker, needed a kidney, she got tested to see if she was a match. She made the decision to donate her kidney without any hesitation. “To me, this is
At a time when so many aspects of education are compelled to go online, USAHS faculty are not only adapting—we’re taking virtual learning to the next level. During Fall 2020, faculty members across departments collaborated to create clinical simulation sessions that were delivered in a live, interactive virtual mode. Filmed with live actors in the
In their work with children who have cognitive and physical differences, occupational therapists (OTs) use fun, hands-on activities to help kids learn to self-regulate emotions, improve their fine motor skills, and reach other developmental milestones. But it’s not just occupational therapists who can use OT activities to work with kids. Parents can incorporate therapeutic methods
For her capstone project in USAHS’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, Jessica Morgan (now “Dr. Morgan”) had planned to volunteer at a transitional housing facility in Denver, where she would explore the role of occupational therapy in helping the homeless population. But like many of her classmates, she had to re-envision her project when
We’re proud of our 567 graduates for rolling with the challenges of 2020! Not only did they successfully complete their studies during a pandemic—they had to pop the champagne at home. Our Fall graduations went virtual on four USAHS campuses, celebrating graduates from our physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology programs. Graduates created slides
Even in normal times, seniors are at a high risk for social isolation, which can lead to serious consequences such as depression, cognitive decline, and premature mortality.[1] But in early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to social distancing mandates across the United States and around the world, millions of older adults became even more
If you’re an aspiring or practicing occupational therapist (OT), you may be wondering what non-traditional OT roles could be open to you. You might be surprised to learn that there are, in fact, many options for OTs who feel less inclined to work a traditional staff job in a school or clinic. Creative OTs can
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) graduate, Madalynn Seymour, asked herself an insightful question as she approached her doctoral capstone research project – her final project before graduation. How are we as therapists supposed to give back to other people if we’re not giving ourselves what we need to be happy and healthy? As an eighth
If you are looking for a creative career helping patients improve the quality of their lives, consider occupational therapy. There are two paths to practicing within this dynamic, growing, and well-paid field: the occupational therapist (OT) route and the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) route. In this post, we lay out the similarities and differences between
Maternal mental health describes women’s mental health during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Up to 20% of pregnant or postpartum women experience perinatal mood disorders, including postpartum depression (PPD), perinatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postpartum anxiety, which negatively affect daily function during pregnancy and the post-birth year. Many women struggle with the “baby
When it was time for USAHS Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student Nadim Batshon to explore a topic for his capstone project, he started thinking outside the box. He was interested in where occupational therapists (OTs) work in settings beyond schools and clinics—and the different populations they work with. Batshon had volunteered at a community
Solving puzzles, reviewing charts, communicating with patients, practicing clinical skills. At USAHS, our physical therapy and occupational therapy students work together in our simulation labs right away. Interprofessional simulations are part of Patient/Client Care Management 1 (PCCM-1), a first-trimester core course for the Residential DPT, OTD, and MOT programs on all campuses. “From Day