At a key transition point in their studies, occupational therapy students across all USAHS campuses participate in a meaningful ritual, witnessed by family and friends. The OT pinning ceremony marks the end of the classroom portion of their studies and the beginning of their fieldwork. For Residential MOT and OTD students, this happens in their fourth term, and for Flex, in the seventh term.
A longstanding tradition in OT practice, the pin celebrates the diversity of practice areas, the client-centered nature of our practice and the values of our profession.
“It’s an opportunity for faculty to acknowledge our students’ transition from classroom learning to clinical learning,” says Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L, director of the entry-level OT programs on Read more
PHD Texas Woman's University
MBA Our Lady of the Lake University
MS Texas Tech University
BS North Dakota State University
Research Interests
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Family Role in AAC
Areas of Expertise
Autism Spectrum DisordersAugmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)Language Development and Intervention for People with Complex Communication Needs (CCN)Behavioral Communication Disorders; Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)Swallowing Disorders with Individuals with IDDNeurological Impairment- Cerebral Palsy
Dr. Deann O’Lenick joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2021 as a core faculty member in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology Program on the Dallas, TX campus. Dr. O’Lenick received her Bachelor of Science from North Dakota State University, Master of Science from Texas Tech University, MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University and PhD from Texas Woman’s University.
Teaching has long been a priority of Dr. O’Lenick. She has built businesses and founded nonprofits to further the conversations about augmentative communication. These include O’Lenick Consulting, LLC, SymbolSpeak, LLC, Emmerzion, LLC, Hear MY Voice-Language Through AAC and Halakah.
Dr. O’Lenick’s work history includes research in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, providing evaluations and interventions and caregiver education in early childhood intervention programs, public schools, state supported living centers, private practices, home health and long-term care facilities. Her specialty areas include complex communication needs such as augmentative and alternative communication, behavioral communication disorders and autism, and swallowing impairments for people with complex needs.
