NewsLink Spring 2019

University of Pittsburgh
Department of Occupational Therapy

Spring 2019 - Volume 8, Issue 3

FROM THE CHAIR...

As we come to the end of the 2018-2019 academic year, we celebrate many wonderful
accomplishments, beginning with those of our recent graduates. The Pitt OT Class of 2019 is
comprised of graduates from our Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy, and Doctor of Clinical Science programs who are emerging leaders in our regional,
national, and global communities.
The first cohort of Doctor of Occupational Therapy students (Class of 2020) is preparing to begin
their third year of training, and the completion of their experiential preceptorships and doctoral
capstone projects. The department has successfully mentored two additional Doctor of Philosophy
graduates, who have already begun their postdoctoral studies at top tier research institutions.
We were successful in doubling our federal research funding this year, and several of our faculty were recognized for their
excellence and leadership at state and national meetings and events. And, the year of PITT Global has highlighted the
international presence of our Department through our students, graduates, and research collaborations. Certainly, the most
visible change this year is our new educational and research space, which we will feature in our upcoming virtual tour. We
are grateful to each of you who have partnered with us in these outstanding accomplishments. Read on for a sampling of
some of the exciting activities underway.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Kelsey Zambraski (MOT 2018) details her journey as a traveling occupational therapist

Photos from left: Kelsey and her mother, Kate; volunteer work with young children;
Kelsey and Pitt School of Nursing alumna in Ecuador

Through the distinguished education, emphasis on experience-based learning, and individualized support that I received as
a University of Pittsburgh Master of Occupational Therapy student, I was equipped with the knowledge and confidence to
assume an important position following graduation. In fact, I was as ready as I’d ever be to assume the most important
position I could imagine. I was prepared to claim the role as the primary caregiver of my mother through her last months of
life. My experience at Pitt granted me knowledge of the health care system, comfort and ease in a hospital setting, patient
handling skills and techniques, awareness of proper biomechanics, and understanding of the importance of engagement in
meaningful occupations. After losing my mother, I decided to continue on a non-traditional route as a new graduate and
follow my curiosities abroad to observe and participate in the delivery of health care services worldwide.
Upon deciding to travel, I was stunned by the amount of support I received from Pitt OT faculty. I reached out regarding
my developing travel plans with little direction and plenty of passion and I was promptly met with enthusiasm,
encouragement, and various connections and potential opportunities. As a traveling occupational therapist, I have gained a
new feeling of responsibility to fully engage myself in the places that I visit. I continue to see so many new and exciting
places and things; I am seeing individuals, societies, cultures, traditions, infrastructure, forms of communication,
accessibility measures (or lack thereof), health care systems and procedures, modes of change, various occupations of
people throughout the lifespan, and how they differ depending on the aforementioned factors. I have been well-trained to
observe the facilitators and barriers of human engagement.
Thus far, my projects have been strictly volunteer based and have focused largely on education, observation, and advocacy.
With the help of Pitt, I was connected with another SHRS alumna in Medellin, Colombia. She assisted me in practicing a
second language and introduced me to the multiple projects that she is involved in within her community. She illuminated
the unfortunate truth that, as in many other places in the world, there is a large gap between the resources available and
that which is needed to accommodate individuals with varying physical and mental abilities. Through education, advocacy,
research, service, and following the University of Pittsburgh’s lead in expanding global connectedness, I aim to shrink that
gap. To date, I have been on the road for four months, visited six countries, and made countless discoveries that will shape
who I am as a person and therapist. I have gained increased cultural sensitivity, knowledge of a second language, and
comfort in navigating a range of diverse circumstances. I thank the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Occupational
Therapy for challenging me to be unique in my role as an occupational therapist and reject any boundaries on the path I
create.
If you are interested in learning more about my experiences, feel free to e-mail [email protected].

2ND ANNUAL PITT OT COLLOQUIUM

Photos from top left to bottom right:
Chao-Yi Wu (PhD 2019) presents her research during the poster session; Elizabeth Skidmore welcomes attendees; Janet

Poole delivers the keynote address; attendees listen intently as panelists share their thoughts during the panel
presentation; 2019 awardees (from left): Shih, Anthony, Kelly, and Debar

Thank you to all who were able to join us for the 2nd Annual Pitt OT Colloquium on March 27, 2019. The event served as a
collaborative venue for over 150 clinicians, students, faculty, and friends who gathered to discuss the newest OT research,
education, and theory to create the best OT practice for the future.

The Colloquium opened with a poster session where OT students from multiple programs shared their research on topics
ranging from "Parental Mealtime Strategies and Nutritional Risk in Children" to "Caregivers' Perceptions of Education and
Instruction in Stroke Rehabilitation Care." Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore then welcomed attendees and presented a brief overview
of the department and the work of our faculty and students. Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA delivered the keynote
address on “Stakeholder Engagement in Occupational Therapy” which was followed by a panel presentation, "Putting the
Keynote into Practice". Attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue through the panel presentation
where four clinicians presented their personal interpretations of the keynote address and practical ways to incorporate the
information that Poole provided into everyday practice.

Congratulations again to our 2019 award recipients:
• Alumni Award of Excellence - Minmei Shih, PhD, OTR/L, CSRS, PWR!Moves®
• Excellence in Clinical/Community Educator Award - Katelyn Kelly, MOT, OTR/L
• Award of Appreciation - Kaitlin Debar, MOT, OTR/L and Terri Rae Anthony, BA

Keep an eye out for more information about the next Pitt OT Colloquium, scheduled for spring 2020!

PITT OT ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Have you recently received an award or grant, published a manuscript, given a presentation, or
been appointed to a leadership position? We want to know about YOUR accomplishments!
Tell us more by completing a brief survey at bit.ly/PittOTAlumniAchievements

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH MOBILITY

In 2018, the SHRS Board of Visitors (BOV) convened in Forbes Tower for their
annual meeting where one of the newest members, Chris Lewis, connected
with Roxanna Bendixen, assistant professor, because of his interest in her work
with individuals with muscular dystrophy. Lewis, son of the famous comedian
and humanitarian Jerry Lewis, serves as President of the American Wheelchair
Mission (AWM), a non-profit organization with a goal to deliver brand new, free
wheelchairs and mobility aids to children, teens, and adults throughout the
world who are without mobility or the means to acquire a wheelchair.

Lewis and his AWM team were in the process of planning a wheelchair
distribution event in Hidalgo, Mexico, and invited Bendixen to join the team for
the event. Hidalgo is home to one of Mexico’s Teletón Rehabilitation Centers
for Children (CRIT). CRIT centers provide low-cost or free holistic and family-
based medical and rehabilitative care to children with physical disabilities. The
wheelchair distribution event at the CRIT in Hidalgo was held in February 2019
and provided mobility devices to more than 80 children with disabilities. The
need for even basic resources for these children’s families is unfathomable.
Many parents arrived on foot carrying their child, and some traveled more than
a day to get to the event. The gift of a wheelchair provides children the
opportunity to attend school, move themselves around their house without
crawling or being carried, go outside to play with their family and friends,
participate in church services, and engage in their communities. Bendixen had
the opportunity to meet with each family prior to the wheelchair distribution
ceremony. Although a language barrier was evident, so was the gratitude and
joy that filled these families.

All photos courtesy of Randy Hale and American Wheelchair Mission
From top left to bottom: Roxanna Bendixen speaks with the recipient of a new wheelchair; geographic location of Hidalgo,

Mexico; all members of the family were included in the event and were excited about the possibilities that a new
wheelchair will bring; children and their families received wheelchairs at the AWM Hidalgo event

The CRIT centers treat children with a variety of conditions, including many with muscular dystrophy. Bendixen met with
occupational and physical therapists and rehabilitation doctors and nurses to discuss current treatments and interventions in
muscular dystrophy. She was pleased to be able to donate adaptive equipment to the facility’s occupational therapy clinic.
Bendixen also had the opportunity to observe rehabilitation “in action” during the trip, including sessions focused on daily
living activities, aquatic therapy, adaptive play, and wheelchair skills.
Through Bendixen’s participation in the wheelchair distribution, she was able to help strengthen the AWM team’s
understanding of the distinct value of occupational therapy and cement relationships with Lewis and the AWM staff.
Bendixen is thankful for the experiences she had while in Hidalgo and looks forward to future wheelchair distribution trips.
For more information on the American Wheelchair Mission, visit www.amwheelchair.org.

FACULTY HONORED AT AOTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

From left: Joan C. Rogers, Natalie E. Leland, Roxanna Bendixen

Congratulations to all of our awardees who were recognized at this year's AOTA Annual Conference in New Orleans,
Louisiana!

• Joan C. Rogers, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
AOTF Leadership Service Commendation
For outstanding service and contributions of time, energy, and support to fulfill AOTF's mission, goals, and objectives

• Natalie E. Leland, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA
AOTF Mid–Career Research Excellence Award
For contributions to advancing knowledge in the field of occupational therapy

• Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
AOTA Roster of Fellows
For significant contributions to the profession through the advancement of occupational therapy for children and youth

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Fall 2019 Fall 2019
AOTA Virtual Education Fair SHRS Open House
Anywhere with internet access Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS, ALUMNI,
AND CLINICIANS

October 18 - 19, 2019
POTA Annual Conference
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

SHARE YOUR STORY

Pitt OT Alumni, we would like to highlight YOU in a future issue of the Pitt OT NewsLink.
Please e-mail us to share your stories!

Also, don't forget to contact us with changes to your mailing and/or e-mail address(es).

Copyright © 2019 University of Pittsburgh Department of Occupational Therapy, All rights reserved.
Your e-mail address is listed to receive correspondence from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Occupational Therapy.

University of Pittsburgh
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Department of Occupational Therapy
Bridgeside Point 1

100 Technology Drive, Suite 350
Pittsburgh, PA 15219