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Published by otpitt, 2017-02-06 09:57:35

NewsLink Fall 2014

Newslink_2014Fall

Occupational Therapy Newslink

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 FALL 2014

SPECIAL PITT OT Unveils New CScD Program
POINTS OF
INTEREST: The Department of Occupational The Clinical Educator Track The Doctor of Clinical Science
Therapy is excited to announce provides coursework, discussion- Program is 13 months for full-
 New Clinical our new clinical doctorate based colloquia, and hands-on time students. Options for part-
Doctorate program in occupational therapy. practical experiences in state-of-the time students and bachelor’s
Program The Doctor of Clinical Sci- art pedagogical theories, evidence, trained therapists are available.
ence (CScD degree) is a post- and methods for assessing and
 The Occupation professional degree with three optimizing student learning in The purpose of developing this
of Driving tracks, designed to train the clinical and academic settings. advance practice training is to
Master Practitioners, Clinical better empower occupational
 Advocacy by Educators and Professional The Professional Leadership therapists to meet the rapidly
Alumnus Leaders of tomorrow. Track provides coursework, evolving changes in healthcare.
discussion-based colloquia and
The Master Practitioner hands-on practical experiences in If you would like to learn more
Track provides coursework, theories, evidence and methods for about the CScD program, visit
discussion-based colloquia, and advancing the profession through the website at https://
hands-on practical experiences leadership and advocacy. www.shrs.pitt.edu/CSCDOT/.
addressing the most current
INSIDE theories and evidence, as well as In ALL TRACKS, students design,
THIS ISSUE: up-to-date assessment and implement, defend and disseminate
intervention methods in four a capstone project that represents
areas of practice specialization: a culmination of the knowledge and
Geriatric Practice, Pediatric skills that students acquired in their
Practice, Musculoskeletal area of specialization.
Rehabilitation, and Neurologi-
cal Rehabilitation.

From the 2 Research Opportunity at the CDC
Chair...

Faculty 2 Research training at the Arthritis, to accurately analyze complex loskeletal disorders related to
Highlights 3 Epilepsy and Well Being branch survey data associated with large computer use, conservative
3 of the Centers for Disease data sets such as the National treatments for carpal tunnel
Student 3 Control (CDC) National Center Health Information Survey syndrome, and work disability for
Spotlight for Chronic Disease Prevention (NHIS) of the Behavioral Risk people with arthritis.
and Health Promotion in Atlanta Factor Surveillance System. She is
Student was too good of an opportunity interested in learning how the Associate Professor
Successes for Dr. Nancy Baker to pass up. CDC develops and implements Nancy Baker, ScD, MPH, OTR/L
Dr. Baker, an Associate policies and programs related to
Alumni Professor in the Department of population health. Dr. Baker’s
Spotlight Occupational Therapy, is goal is to better understand how
currently on a one year these techniques might be used
sabbatical during which she is to develop occupational therapy-
developing expertise in research based interventions at the pop-
using large data sets at the CDC. ulation level.

Dr. Baker is learning techniques Dr. Baker’s research program
focuses on work-related muscu-

PAGE 2 From the Chair...

Dr. Joan C. Rogers, Powerful. The AOTA have the skills to ensure occu- areas of interest.
Chair, Department Centennial Vision includes this pational therapy doesn’t just
of Occupational adjective as one of several survive... but “thrives” in both These advanced practitioners
Therapy goals for the profession of traditional and emerging will not only have the core
Occupational Therapy. In healthcare systems. knowledge and skills of an
today’s healthcare environ- occupational therapist, but also
ment, occupational therapy Recognizing that “powerful” is the expertise and mastery to
practitioners need to be more not limited to just one type of apply and share advanced
effective, creative, and efficient practitioner, the CScD degree knowledge and skills in such a
than ever just to “survive”. provides advanced practice way that they become drivers
With the introduction of our training through 3 tracks. The of future occupational therapy
new Doctor of Clinical Science program is designed to offer practice, education and
program (CScD), we aim to core curriculum, individualized leadership.
develop advanced practice education plans and 1:1
occupational therapists who mentoring from faculty who Now that’s power.
have expertise in the students’

Faculty Achievements & Activities

Amit Sethi, PhD, OTR/L Leibold, PhD, OTR?L are co- Roxanna Bendixen, PhD,
co-authored a paper, “A state author of 3 presentations at the OTR/L served as the AOTA
synchronization controller for 2014 Pennsylvania Occupational representative to the American
functional electrical stimulation Therapy Association Annual Academy of Neurology and the
-based tele rehabilitation”, Conference in Valley Forge, PA. American Association of
which was awarded the Best Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnos-
Paper Award in the Elizabeth Skidmore, PhD, tic Medicine for review of 2014
Proceedings of the American OTR/L was invited to present Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Society of Mechanical “Acute cognitive impairments: Guidelines.
Engineering Dynamic Systems new approaches to intervention.”
and Control 2014 Conference. for the Caroline Thompson In September 2014, Ketki Raina,
Lecture at the University of PhD, OTR/L and Margo Holm,
Joanne Baird, PhD, OTR/L, Wisconsin-Madison Program in PhD, OTR/L were invited
Denise Chisholm, PhD, Occupational Therapy, Madison, speakers at the 12th Annual
OTR/L and Mary Lou WI. Neurocritcal Care Society Meeting
in Seattle, WA.

The Occupation of Driving

From age 16, driving is an works with the local AAA to promote adaptive driving across
important occupation that implement CarFit - an the lifespan. Through a class
signifies independence and evidence-based program that fieldtrip to an Adaptive Mobility
autonomy for many examines the person- Expo, students are exposed to
environment-occupation “fit” both “over the counter” and
occupational therapy clients. for driving - for teaching stu- customized transportation
Pitt MOT students benefit dents about age-related chang- solutions available to persons with
from the incorporation of es and contextual factors that disabilities. Students are able to
two unique learning impact driving. observe and try various devices as
opportunities related to part of the experience.
driving that are part of the In Rehabilitation Theory and Additionally, they benefit from
MOT core curriculum. Practice, Instructor Ketki interaction with a Certified Driv-
Raina, PhD, OTR/L ing Rehabilitation Specialist as well
In Occupation Across the introduces students to as experts in driving outside of
Lifespan, Instructor Pamela automobile modifications that the field of occupational therapy.
Toto, PhD, OTR/L

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3

Student Spotlight: Jess Leslie

Despite hailing from the great state POTA representative and a POTA the Affordable Care Act, with
of Ohio, Jess Leslie (MOT, 2015) Conference Volunteer. This past the basics of what their new
has taken advantage of all that year, she was selected to receive insurance offers in terms of
Pennsylvania has to offer during her the POTA Student Leadership services.
time at Pitt. Scholarship.
Jess cites experiences ranging
The University of Pittsburgh OT Jess was also selected to be a 2013- from simulated learning at the
Program was Jess’s first choice for 2014 Jonas Salk Fellow. This fellow- WISER center to serving as an
her professional training because of ship is a student training program Anatomy Teaching Assistant to
its “world renowned faculty and by the Jewish Health Foundation becoming a CarFit Technician as
resources”. Shortly after entering and Health Careers Futures. As a Pitt “preparing me to deliver the
the program, Jess not only became Salk Fellow, Jess worked on a team best Occupational Therapy care
a member of the Pennsylvania with other Pittsburgh-area graduate to my future patients, and for
Occupational Therapy Association students to create brochures and that I proudly Hail to Pitt!”
(POTA) but also became the class flyers for new patients enrolled in

Students Making News

Pitt students teamed up again with tol Hill. They included: Julie Patient Safety Fellow.
Open Your Heart to a Senior on Banyas, Rachel Brown. Ciara
September 13th to host the 3rd Brown, Liz Carroll, Abi Darin, Melissa Swafford,
annual Schenley Shuffle. The event Hadley Dean, Kaitlyn Goerl, MOT Class of 2016,
raised over $1500 for the Heart of Melissa Jenkins, Kelsey was awarded the K.
Gold Fund, which provides adaptive Laubham, Holly Peters, Cara Leroy Irvis Fellowship
equipment to reduce disability in Poli, Rachel Popovich, Rachel for the 2014-2015
older adults. Pitt MOT student Sexauer, Ann Stankiewicz, academic year. The
Melissa Jenkins served as the lead Joelle Urquhart, Emily purpose of the K. Leroy Irvis
organizer with assistance from Williamson. Fellowship Program is to enhance the
many other Pitt MOT volunteers. diversity of the University of
Abigail Darin, MOT Class of Pittsburgh’s graduate student
AOTA’s 2014 Hill Day included a 2015, was selected as a 2013-2014 population.
number of Pitt MOT students who Jewish Healthcare Foundation
took their advocacy efforts to Capi-

Alumni Spotlight: Elyse Aufman…OT and MD

Elyse Aufman (MOT ’11) has always with interest in areas including stroke, appreciate that. It also has made me a
been ambitious. Thus, it was not a brain injury and multiple sclerosis. much more empathet-
surprise when she announced to the ic person, as I’ve seen
Pitt faculty that following completion of When asked how being an occupational what happens to
her MOT degree, she would pursue a therapist has impacted her medical patients after they
degree in Medicine. training, Aufman describes, “People in leave the acute care
medicine, generally speaking, have a hospital. Also, I get
Elyse is currently a 4th year medical really difficult time actually picturing loads of bonus points
student at Washington University in St. their patients as real people who exist for being able to
Louis School of Medicine. She is also outside of their disease and the hospi- actually help a patient
conducting research to better tal. Being an occupational therapist go to the bathroom or
understand how accelerometry may helps me to work outside of the med- recommend home
best be used in neurologic assessment ical model and see patients as real modifications/
and intervention. Upon graduation, she people who have families and friends equipment!
is applying for a residency in Neurology, and homes and jobs and fears and
hopes, and my patients really Best of luck to Elyse in
her future endeavors!

Department of Occupational Therapy Mission

 Educate students to practice and to become
leaders in evidence-based occupational
therapy in a variety of settings

 Engage in research to advance the practice
of occupational therapy

 Contribute to the profession and the com-
munity through service, participation, and
research

University of Pittsburgh Alumni - Please contact us!
Department of Occupational Therapy We would like to highlight
5012 Forbes Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15260 YOU in a future issue!
Phone: 412-383-6620
Fax: 412-383-6613
Email: [email protected]

Please contact us with changes to your email or address.

Alumnus, Advocate and Adjunct

When Alyson (D’Ambrosio) Stover role has included advocacy for her described faculty as “among the most
graduated from the Pitt MOT clients to establish appropriate IEPs brilliant, compassionate and
program in 2005, she left with many within their school districts, appeal personally vested group of people I
goals for her professional future. At insurance denials for services have ever had the blessing of meeting.
that time, little did she realize that (rehabilitation, medical and Each individual carries a strong
those goals would lead her back to psychological services), and obtain passion for our profession, but each
where she began. Medicaid and Social Security Benefits. passion is unique allowing for
personal exploration and growth to
This past spring, the OT Department In January 2014, Alyson and her find where you fit in the world of
welcomed Alyson as a new member husband opened a private practice occupational therapy. Pitt ignited my
of the adjunct faculty. She teaches north of Pittsburgh called Capable passion to contribute to the
Occupational Therapy and the Kids. It is a multi-disciplinary profession and taught me the useful
Healthcare System, a course that pediatric clinic serving the needs of tools of how to make that happen.”
focuses on health policy and advocacy children from birth to 21 years old
in the MOT curriculum. Alyson’s and their families in Mercer and Alyson with her daughter, Avary, at her outpatient
background well suits her for these Lawrence Counties and surrounding pediatric therapy clinic—Capable Kids
topics. After 3 years of practicing as a areas. When she’s not teaching or
pediatric occupational therapist in seeing clients, Alyson provides
Charlotte, NC, Alyson returned to continuing education lectures through
Pitt in 2008 to pursue a law degree. In Sensational Brain and Cobb Pediatric
2011, she graduated with a Juris Therapy Services, and is a member on
Doctorate (JD) and a graduate the committee for the Special Needs
certificate in Health Law. Ministry at her church.

Since returning to Western Pennsyl- When asked how Pitt prepared her
vania, she has worked in outpatient for where she is today, Alyson
pediatrics and early intervention. Her


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