NewsLink Fall 2017

University of Pittsburgh
Department of Occupational Therapy

Fall 2017 - Volume 7, Issue 1

SUPPORT PITT OT STUDENTS ON GIVING TUESDAY

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makes a difference, please visit our website. Consider
making an investment in the future of our students today
(because we all know the next couple of weeks can get a
little busy) by simply clicking on the "Donate Now" button
below.

FROM THE CHAIR...

As an occupational therapist, I know the value of finding
meaning in one’s vocation. As an occupational therapy
scientist and educator, I find meaning in improving my
understanding of the needs of the people we serve, and
training students to improve upon the work that we have
already done to bring a new level of innovation and impact
to occupational therapy practice, research, and training. At
the core of this mission are our students and trainees. In this
issue of Pitt NewsLink, we feature a small sample of Pitt OT
students, alumni, and junior faculty who are already making
their mark on the profession, and doing so in a variety of
ways. I firmly believe that our profession is only as strong as
the next generation of leaders. As you read the features in
this month’s issue, I hope that you will agree that Pitt OT is
growing leaders and our future looks bright!

ALMOST THERE: PHD STUDENT JOURNEYS

Authors: Emily Kringle, MOT, OTR/L and Chao-Yi Wu, OT, MS

We are currently in our third year of the PhD
Program at Pitt and are training to be scientists
in the field of rehabilitation sciences. We are
both occupational therapists, but we have very
different backgrounds – Chao-Yi comes to Pitt
from Taipei, Taiwan and Emily comes to Pitt
from Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are excited to
share our story about our PhD journeys.

As part of our training, we work 20 hours each
week as Graduate Student Researchers –
Chao-Yi in Dr. Rodakowski’s Cognitive Aging
Lab and Emily in Dr. Skidmore’s Cognitive Performance Lab. During these hours, we attend
laboratory meetings, recruit participants for the studies that are ongoing in the laboratories,
conduct assessment and intervention sessions with research participants, write and monitor
institutional review board (IRB) protocols, and manage research data.

During the remaining part of our week, we work on our class and dissertation projects. In the first
two years of the PhD Program, we took courses related to research methodologies, theories of
rehabilitation and disability, and electives in our areas of interest. The PhD Program is tailored
for each student, which allows Chao-Yi to focus on her interests in preventing disability among
older adults, and Emily to focus on reducing sedentary behavior among stroke survivors. There
are many milestones to achieve on the PhD journey, including preliminary examination,
comprehensive examination, and dissertation proposal. We achieved these milestones and are
currently working to recruit research participants and collect data for our dissertation research
studies. Our journey is multifaceted and we have spent many hours refining and polishing our
dissertation proposals. In preparation for our dissertation proposals, we conducted scoping
reviews and data analyses to understand current evidence. Most importantly, we discussed our
thoughts with our mentors to shape our ideas and research minds. It has been a lot of work, but
also very exciting to see everything come together!

In addition to working on these projects, we write manuscripts and grants for research funding,
and attend national conferences to present our research findings. We have the best peer-
support; as office-mates for the first two years, we have shared many stresses, much laughter,
and so much food. We joke that we are “frail young adults with chronic stress and low vision”
(not to worry, we are working on an intervention to prevent disability). Nonetheless, we are
grateful to our peers and mentors for the support and training that we have received. And, we
are pleased that this story is our first formal collaboration!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Maria Borrelli, MOT, OTR/L (MOT ‘13) Borrelli has spent
the last four years as an Outpatient Occupational Therapist
at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where she uses the
building blocks she received from Pitt OT to inspire her and
overcome daily challenges within the workplace. Borrelli
has also served as an occupational therapist within the
multidisciplinary Brain Injury Clinic over the last three years.

She continues to be involved with Pitt OT by being a guest
lecturer on topics of health care in the pediatric setting and
pediatric traumatic brain injury. In April, Borrelli also
presented on occupational therapy’s role across the
continuum of care at the AOTA Annual Conference with a
coworker and fellow Pitt MOT graduate.

Recently, Borrelli discovered a passion for the outdoors and
looks forward to taking opportunities to travel, hike, and see
the beauty that nature has to offer.

Maria, we thank you for your dedication to Pitt OT and the
profession – you make us Pitt Proud!

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

Authors: Sara Ellis (MOT '18) and Emily Wenz (MOT ‘19)

It’s been a big year. Occupational therapy celebrated 100 years of the profession and Pitt OT
turned 35 years old. As current students, we have been lucky to participate in this exciting time
through the inaugural Pitt OT Student Conclave, the 35th Anniversary Celebration, and the
AOTA Centennial Celebration.

At the Pitt OT Student Conclave, first-year students interacted with current practitioners from
multiple areas of practice. During an opening panel, practitioners addressed general questions
about key differences in practice areas. In smaller group sessions, students had the opportunity
to speak to practitioners who worked in their areas of interest. I (Emily) had the pleasure of

speaking to therapists who worked in hand therapy, pediatric inpatient rehabilitation, and acute
care settings. The conversations I had with them encouraged me to keep an open mind when
considering my interests throughout school. For example, the fast-paced, dynamic environment
of acute care sounded like something I might enjoy and will look forward to experiencing in my
fieldwork. The Pitt OT Student Conclave provided a great chance to gain early exposure to the
wide array of environments in which occupational therapists can work.

Second-year students met with a panel of Pitt OT alumni to talk about first jobs, the hiring
process, and what it means to be a Pitt OT alum. This event provided us the opportunity to get
an insider's perspective from alumni on anything from interview "dos and don’ts" to being the
new practitioner in the clinic. After the panel, students and practitioners broke out into smaller
groups to practice interview skills, discuss resumes, and get personal advice from leaders in the
field. As a student, I (Sara) appreciated the opportunity to receive honest advice and feedback
from the alumni and now feel much more prepared as I head out on Level II fieldwork and
beyond. With the strong foundation and education that Pitt provides, it is no surprise that Pitt
alumni are some of the best and brightest in the field.

At the 35th Anniversary and AOTA Centennial Celebrations, students, educators, researchers,
and practitioners came together to acknowledge our program’s past, present, and future. As
students, looking around a room full of pioneers in practice and research was both humbling and
inspiring. We are part of an “OT Powerhouse” and have a call to continue the Pitt legacy of
excellence for future generations.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

After earning a degree in Spanish and surviving a
decade of career changes, Maria Violante (MOT '18),
shadowed at the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
in Grand Rapids, MI and rediscovered her love for the
field of occupational therapy.

She has devoted her last semester of classes to two
endeavors. As a Jonas Salk Health Activism Fellow,
she is working on the RoOT project to develop
evidence-based lectures and activities about diversity
for occupational therapy educators to help them
facilitate inclusive practice skills in students. Under the
mentorship of Dr. Bendixen, she has also designed a
study that aims to explore if chronic pain patients who
have used a ketogenic diet retrospectively report less pain and better participation in daily life.

Maria knows that her education at Pitt has well-prepared her for entry into clinical practice. She
is incredibly excited to return to Michigan to begin Level II fieldwork at the Mary Free Bed
Rehabilitation Hospital and the Battle Creek VA Medical Center (and to be with her husband and
dog again)!

For more information about the RoOT project, please visit mviolante.com/root.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE
CAREGIVING COMMUNITY

Dr. Juleen Rodakowski is the principal investigator of
the Cognitive Aging Lab where her research program
examines factors that influence independent living for
older adults who are at-risk for disability. A component
of her work focuses on caregivers who assist their
loved-ones in completing activities of daily living.
Rodakowski has obtained funding from the American
Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) and
Pittsburgh Foundation for her research.

More than 30 states and the District of Columbia have
passed the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE)
Act which requires hospitals to identify and provide
training to caregivers. This legislation spurred
Rodakowski, in collaboration with the Health Policy
Institute, to examine which patients identify caregivers
and how the caregivers are being trained within the UPMC system.

Rodakowski believes there is an opportunity for occupational therapy to be one of the
professions that trains caregivers in supporting their loved-ones’ complete activities of daily living
safely and effectively. Based on this belief, she plans to determine how including caregivers may
influence patient health outcomes and lower health services use.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Rodakowski's work with the UPMC Caregiving Project.

To read more about the Cognitive Aging Lab, please visit our website.

CELEBRATING NATIONAL FAMILY
CAREGIVERS MONTH

Did you know that November is National Family Caregivers
Month? Family caregiving can occur throughout the
lifespan. Today, more than 65 million Americans help care
for a loved one, providing assistance for an average of 20
hours per week (National Alliance for Caregiving, 2016).
Family caregivers help their loved ones with activities of
daily living, complex medial and therapeutic tasks, and
coordinating care. These caregiving demands can
negatively and positively impact the mental and physical
health of family caregivers. Negative aspects of caregiving
can include strain, financial difficulty, and depression.
Positive aspects of caregiving can include a sense of giving back, personal growth, and
increased meaning in one’s life.

Despite the influence and importance of family caregiving in our society, many do not receive
recognition, information, or meaningful support. Occupational therapists are well-positioned to
help caregivers. Their ability to look broadly at the caregivers’ abilities, environmental context,
and daily activity demands plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal health and well-being for both
the caregivers and their loved ones. Two investigators from the Department of Occupational
Therapy, Dr. Juleen Rodakowski and Dr. Beth Fields, are collaborating with the Health Policy
Institute and the University Center for Social and Urban Research to better understand local
family caregivers, their needs, and involvement in the UPMC health care system and services.
Information gleaned from their research activities will inform the development and testing of
family-centered assessments and interventions.

For more information on caregiving, please visit the Caregiver Action Network and Family
Caregiver Alliance websites.

April 5, 2018 UPCOMING EVENTS

Pitt OT Colloquium

April 19 - 22, 2018 AOTA Annual Conference
Click here for more information

STUDENTS MAKING NEWS

AWARDS OTHER

Kersey J, Skidmore E, Self-Awareness MOT 2018 students Patricia Conte, Kelly
Improves Over Time, 3rd Place Award in the Cowher, Katrina de la Cruz, Sara Ellis,
ACRM Stroke ISIG Poster Competition, Oct Bridget Kerins, Bora Kim, and Morgan
2017 Leeds participated in the CarFit event at the
Wexford Plaza AAA on September 7, 2017.

Kringle E, Skidmore E, Treatment Expectancy MOT 2018 students Samantha Mackzum,
Predicts Clients' Engagement During Inpatient Maria Violante, and OTD 2020 students,
Rehabilitation After Stroke, 1st Place Award in Meghan Esarove, Alyssa Kallenbaugh, Elise
the ACRM Stroke ISIG Poster Competition, Oct Krause, Janelle Moody, Monica Morrison,
2017 and Annamarie Rubino represented the
department at the “Pitt Loves Homewood”
Kringle E, Knutson E, Terhorst L, Semi- volunteer cookout on Saturday, September 23,
Supervised Machine Learning in Rehabilitation 2017.
Science, finalists in the ACRM Measurement
Networking Group Early Career Poster MOT 2018 students Sarah Baron, Kristin
Competition, Oct 2017 Brown, Juliana Carlin, Ashley Conroy,
Suzanne Davis, Sara Ellis, Jessica Gass,
Monica Morrison (OTD '20) was awarded the Stephanie Gorstein, Yocelin Hernandez
Lillian Gorell Scholarship of the Pittsburgh Rojero, Luc Leech, Josselyn Mackey,
Foundation. Samantha Mackzum, Shelby Scott, Caitlin
Smith, Kelly Stipetich, and Sarah Walker
Madeleine Wirth (OTD ‘20), Alexa Schreiber, along with faculty Denise Chisholm and Alyson
and Maria Violante (MOT ‘18) were selected Stover participated in AOTA Capitol Hill Day,
for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation's 2017 September 25, 2017.
Jonas Salk Health Activist Fellowship.
Organizers Suzanne Davis, Lainey Elliott,
PRESENTATIONS Kelly Stipetich, and Michelle Watson along
with over 50 Pitt OT students participated in the
Gass J, Caldwell A, Parent-Initiated Functional Schenley Shuffle on September 30, 2017. The
Feeding Goals (poster), 40th Annual POTA group raised over $2,000 for the Open Your
Conference, Oct 2017 Heart to a Senior Heart of Gold Fund.

Kersey J, Skidmore E, Self-Awareness Several MOT and OTD students along with
Improves Over Time (poster), 94th ACRM Bonnie Hoolahan and Robin Sullivan
Annual Conference, Oct 2017 participated in the 2017 Walk to End
Alzheimer’s Memory Walk on November 4,
Kringle E, Knutson E, Terhorst L, Semi- 2017.
Supervised Machine Learning in Rehabilitation
Science (poster), 94th ACRM Annual
Conference, Oct 2017

Kringle E, Skidmore E, Treatment Expectancy
Predicts Clients’ Engagement During Inpatient
Rehabilitation After Stroke, 94th ACRM Annual
Conference, Oct 2017

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

PRESENTATIONS PRESENTATIONS (CONT'D)

Baird J, Student Fieldwork Experiences: A Terhorst L, Evidence-based Pharmacological
Descriptive Study of Level I and Level II Interventions After Traumatic Brain Injury, 94th
Practice Patterns, AOTA Education Summit, ACRM Annual Conference, Oct 2017
Oct 2017
Terhorst L, Factor Structure of the Wheelchair
Baker N, Hendricks M, King T, Kulesa M, Skills Test, 94th ACRM Annual Conference,
Sabesan V, Experts in Arthritis (poster), Oct 2017
National Caucus on Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal Health Disparities, Nov 2017 Terhorst L, Juengst S, and Magasi S,
Development of a Standard Set of Components
Baker N, Characteristics of People with Work- for Measurement Curricula (poster), 94th
related Versus Non-work Related Carpal ACRM Annual Conference, Oct 2017
Tunnel Syndrome: National Health Interview
Survey, 2010 & 2015, American College of Juengst S, Terhorst L, Arenth P, Wagner A,
Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Variability in Emotional Symptoms and Fatigue
Health Professionals Annual Scientific Meeting, Measured via Mobile Ecological Momentary
Nov 2017 Assessment after TBI (poster), 94th ACRM
Annual Conference, Oct 2017
Baker N, Keysor J, The Work Experience
Survey for Rheumatic Conditions (WES-RC): Toto P, Interprofessional Experiential Learning
Evidence and Applications, American College in Geriatric Primary Care, AOTA Education
of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Summit, Oct 2017
Health Professionals Annual Scientific Meeting,
Nov 2017 AWARDS

Caldwell A, Promoting Routines of Exploration Joanne Baird was awarded the 2017 School of
and Play during Mealtime: Effects on Child Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Dean’s
Behavior and Parent-Identified Mealtime Distinguished Teaching Award.
Problems (poster), Society of Developmental
and Behavioral Pediatrics, Oct 2017 Elizabeth Skidmore was conferred as a 2017
Fellow of the American Congress of
Rehabilitation Medicine.

Chisholm D, The Power of Occupation: Skidmore E, Rouch S, Differences in
Energizing Your Passion (Keynote Speaker), Therapists Cues Between Usual Care
Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association Rehabilitation and Strategy Training (poster),
Conference, Nov 2017 1st Place Award in the ACRM Physicians and
Clinicians Networking Group Poster
Sethi A, Control of Paretic and Non-paretic Competition, Oct 2017
Arm During Bimanual Reaching Movements
After Stroke (poster), 2017 Society for Skidmore E, Rouch S, Examining the Effect of
Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Nov 2017 Receiving Strategy Training Intervention on
Usual Care Practice (poster), Physician’s and
Sethi A, Acharya A, Dounskia N, Control of Clinicians Networking Group Poster Award, Oct
Paretic and Non-paretic Arm During Bimanual 2017
Reaching Movements After Stroke (poster),
Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference, Alyson Stover received the OT Award of
Nov 2017 Recognition from the Pennsylvania
Occupational Therapy Association.
Skidmore E, Guided Problem Solving for
People with Cognitive Impairments After Terhorst L, Juengst S, Magasi S, Development
Stroke, Rehabilitation Department at of a Standard Set of Components for
HealthSouth Sewickley, Sept 2017 Measurement Curricula (poster), Advancing the
Science in Measurement Poster Award in the
Skidmore E, Rehabilitation for Individuals with ACRM Measurement Networking Group’s
Cognitive Impairments: What Are the Essential Competition, Oct 2017
Elements?, Pittsburgh VA Stroke Symposium,
Sept 2017 Juengst S, Terhorst L, Arenth P, Wagner A,
Variability in Emotional Symptoms and Fatigue
Rouch S, Skidmore E, Examining the Effect of Measured via Mobile Ecological Momentary
Receiving Strategy Training Intervention on Assessment after TBI (poster), Early Career
Usual Care Practice (poster), 94th ACRM Poster Award in the ACRM Measurement
Annual Conference, Oct 2017 Networking Group’s Competition, Oct 2017

Skidmore E, Promoting Independence After OTHER
Brain Injury: Specific Strategies for Training
Individuals with Cognitive Impairments Nancy Baker served as guest editor of a
(Keynote Plenary Session), 38th Annual Special Issue on Occupational Therapy and
Neurorehabilitation Conference (Braintree), Public Health in the Occupational Therapy
Nov 2017 Journal of Research (October 2017).

Skidmore E, Defining and Specifying Complex Nancy Baker was featured in the September
Interventions, 38th Annual Neurorehabilitation 25, 2017 issue of OT Practice for her article in
Conference (Braintree), Nov 2017 Everyday Health on hosting an outdoor party
for friends despite arthritis symptoms.
Skidmore E, Optimizing TBI Rehabilitation to
Promote Regeneration and Recovery, 6th Juleen Rodakowski was interviewed by Pi
Annual International Symposium on Theta Epsilon and featured in the Chapter Chat
Regenerative Rehabilitation, Nov 2017 Alumni Member Spotlight.

Kelly K, Gauthier L, Skidmore E, Improving
Carry-Over: A Practical Lab on Approaches for
Translating Therapeutic Gains into Daily
Activities, 94th ACRM Annual Conference, Nov
2017

SHARE YOUR STORY

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Please e-mail us to share your stories!

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Therapy.

University of Pittsburgh
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Department of Occupational Therapy
5012 Forbes Tower

Atwood and Sennott Streets
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

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