NewsLink Summer 2019

University of Pittsburgh
Department of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore Summer 2019 - Volume 8, Issue 4
Professor and Chair
FROM THE CHAIR...

Each year, the University of Pittsburgh academic community selects a thematic
focus to stimulate conversations, collaborations, and innovation through focused
programming and funding. The 2019 - 2020 academic year is the Year of
Creativity. Creativity is apparent in imagination, original ideas, and transforming
endeavors, and is a core element of occupational therapy. We look forward to
challenging ourselves this year to advance our creativity as we embrace new
educational methodologies, generate new investigations, and tackle pivotal
challenges in practice and policy. We are excited to start this academic year in
our new facilities that are already stimulating new perspective, new
collaborations, and new opportunities. I encourage you to take the “virtual tours”
of our facilities on the video links provided and to read about some of the
department's creative activities that are already underway.

VIRTUAL TOUR - BRIDGESIDE POINT I

Pitt OT relocated to a newly-renovated space on the third floor of Bridgeside Point I in December 2018. We
are excited to give you a virtual tour now that students, faculty, and staff have settled into their new
surroundings and are fully "occupying" the space. Check out the videos below for a 360-degree view of our
academic and research facilities!

For best viewing, set quality to 1440s (HD) or 2160s (4K).

ACADEMIC SPACES RESEARCH LABS

To view the academic To view the research labs
spaces virtual tour, scan virtual tour, scan
QR code or visit QR code or visit
bit.ly/PittOT360Academic bit.ly/PittOT360Research

3D PRINTING OPENS DOOR TO ACCESSIBILITY

Pitt OT recently added a 3D printer to the Jennifer White (center) instructs OTD students on
department’s Innovation Laboratory. Although the how to properly utilize the 3D printer to create splints
addition of the 3D printer is relatively new,
Dr. Jennifer White first introduced 3D printing and

splinting to her students in Biomechanical Theory
and Practice nearly three years ago. White’s
previous interest in the possibilities of 3D printing
and OT, coupled with a chance to meet Will
Hinson and Meagan Koleck at Pitt’s Open-Lab,
inspired a collaboration that carried into the

classroom. White, Hinson, and Koleck teamed up
to present a lecture and hands-on lab for Pitt OT
students where they demonstrated the benefits of
using 3D printing in practice, including low-cost,
3D printed materials which increases access of
splints to underserved populations.

White demonstrated the potential of providing 3D printed splints to underserved populations at the Birmingham
Free Clinic, where she partnered with a PhD student from Carnegie Mellon University to fabricate 3D printed
splints for patients with upper extremity impairments. Additionally, this project enhanced student learning for
Level I and Level II Fieldwork students at the clinic.

3D printing in the OT curriculum has inspired students to create their
own designs to improve the lives of their clients and enhance practice
through the education of clinicians during their Level II Fieldwork.
Maddie Wirth (OTD ’20) collaborated with Hinson to create a tenodesis

splint for a patient with cervical spinal cord injury to achieve the
patient’s goals of being able to self-feed and pick up her own tissues.
Haley Feller (OTD ’20) reconnected with White during her Level II
Fieldwork experience to provide an evidence-based presentation to
describe current clinical applications of 3D printed orthoses while
providing a demonstration using the 3D printed resting hand splint

patterns. Feller’s presentation was well received as many
clinicians expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn more
about evidence from current literature and immediately gain hands-on
practice with 3D printed materials. Maggie Feltman (OTD ’20)
combined her love of OT, interest in 3D printing, and passion for
cultivating succulent plants to create an innovative planter as a thank

you gift for her Level II Fieldwork site that could be used as a
gardening activity for future clients.

Upcoming plans for the department’s 3D printer include expanding hands-on practice for students, faculty, and
clinicians. Future assignments for students will help create splints and adaptive devices that can be used to
improve the lives of Pitt’s neighbors at the Homewood Community Engagement Center. Additionally, the
department is developing continuing education opportunities for faculty and local clinicians to continue to
change practice with innovative technology while improving access to care.

OUR ALUMNI ARE #PITTPROUD

Kelsey O’Brien (MOT ’18, CScD ’19),
Laura Waterstram (MOT ’09), Cara Lekovitch
(CScD Student, MOT ’07), and Alex Harper (RS PhD Student,
MOT ’13) talk about what makes them most Pitt Proud –
from the reputation of Pitt OT Alumni to ongoing research
that improves the lives of clients, caregivers, and clinicians.

To view video, scan QR code or
visit bit.ly/PittOTAlumniProud

FROM CLASSROOM TO CLINIC

Nicole Habovick (CScD '17), OTR/L

Pictured: Habovick (center) and NICU patients (left and right) In the early stages of my journey as a
Clinical Science Doctorate (CScD) student
at Pitt OT, I had the opportunity to spend
time at UPMC Children’s Hospital of

Pittsburgh (CHP). It was there that my
mentor, Kelly Fill, identified a program to
change the way infant feeding practices
were completed in order to provide better
quality of care and decrease lengthy
hospital stays in the Neonatal Intensive

Care Unit. Infant-Driven Feeding® is a
program that is designed to transition
infants from tube feedings to bottle or
breastfeeding in a natural and
developmentally appropriate manner.

As a CScD student, I was tasked with a capstone project that would not only demonstrate the value of the
profession but also highlight how an OT can be an asset in providing and incorporating evidence into a clinical
setting. After months of identifying literature, collaborating with various medical teams, obtaining grants, and
creating protocols, Kelly and I implemented the IDF® protocol on March 6, 2017.

Since implementation in 2017, prospective data were collected and then compared to retrospective data prior to
implementation. Within one year of implementing IDF®, our infants’ average time to reach full feedings
decreased from 17 days to 12 days and length of stay decreased from 42 days to 37 days. This collaboration
with CHP during my time as a CScD student ultimately led me to a practice area that I am passionate about and
where I continue to work toward advancing evidence-based practice on a daily basis.

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.

Congratulations to Allison Shearer (MOT '11) who recently authored the “Modalities” chapter in the fourth
edition of Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation: A Quick Reference Guide and Review.

SEEKING OCCUPATION-BASED PHOTOS

Pitt OT is seeking submissions for photos to include in a photo
collage that will be featured in our new space at Bridgeside Point I.

Send us photos of you, your family, your friends, your kids, or your pets
doing everyday activities . . . any and all daily occupations!
Submit your photos at bit.ly/PittOTCollage.

We look forward to seeing YOU, our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and
friends in action and can’t wait to share pics of the photo collage with you!

SAVE THE DATE: SHRS 50th ANNIVERSARY

On May 8-9, 2020, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
(SHRS) will celebrate 50 years of excellence in education, clinical
practice, research, and innovation in health care and rehabilitation. All
alumni and friends are invited to join us in commemorating this
significant milestone. The weekend will feature a series of events
including the recognition of our Distinguished Alumni, Rising Star, and
Humanitarian Awardees, tours of educational and research facilities,
faculty and expert panels on hot topics in health care, and dinner and
dancing at the 50th Anniversary Gala.

For further information about the celebration and to nominate your
fellow OT alumni for the Distinguished Alumni Award, Rising Star
Award, and Humanitarian Award, visit 50.SHRS.Pitt.edu.

To ensure that you receive all communications about the anniversary celebration, please update your contact
information with SHRS at shrs.pitt.edu/alumni/keep-touch and be on the lookout for more info on this
important milestone and fun celebration of SHRS!

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

August 22, 2019 September 12, 2019 November 2, 2019

Pitt DiscoverU Day AOTA Virtual Education Fair SHRS Fall Open House
12:30 - 4:00 PM 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Multiple Sites
Anywhere with internet access www.shrs.pitt.edu/admissions/open-house
www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/cdpa/discoveru/
www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Find-
School/virtual-school-fair.aspx

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR CURRENT STUDENTS, ALUMNI,
AND CLINICIANS

October 18 - 19, 2019 May 8 - 9, 2020

POTA Annual Conference SHRS 50th Anniversary Celebration
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

pota.site-ym.com/page/Conf2019 50.SHRS.Pitt.edu

University of Pittsburgh - School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Department of Occupational Therapy
Bridgeside Point I, 100 Technology Drive, Suite 350 - Pittsburgh, PA 15219