(Pronouns: she/her)
What year did you start the program?
I started the PP-OTD Program in Fall 2020.
What are your prior degrees and at which institutions?
B.S., Occupational Therapy, University of New Hampshire M.S., Occupational Therapy, University of New Hampshire Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Certificate, Tufts University
What was your favorite course in the program?
It was a close tie between Dissemination Science and Advancing Practice of Health Professions Quality Improvement and Program Evaluation in the Health Professions.
What was your Innovation Project title?
Conscious Care: A model to improve interprofessional care of individuals with Disorders of Consciousness in the acute hospital setting.
Tell us about your Innovation Project.
As an Occupational Therapist practicing in the acute care setting in Hawaii, I observed gaps in knowledge and awareness around best practice when caring for individuals with Disorders of Consciousness in the acute care setting. This population is further marginalized by pessimistic prognostic bias, misdiagnoses and decreased access to rehabilitation that could improve functional outcomes. I synthesized the current literature and explored guiding theories that influenced the creation of an interprofessional care model that includes a training series, clinical validation tools, documentation templates, and a caregiver education booklet designed to improve interprofessional care of individuals with DoC in the hospital.
What do you think is special about the Post-Professional OTD program here at the MGH Institute?
Despite this being a virtual program, I developed lifelong connections with the other OTPs in my cohort. I appreciate the use of mentorship to guide the process and coursework as it made the program feel more personalized. Additionally, I found usefulness and value in the coursework and noticed a direct positive correlation between the course content and my clinical practice.
Why did you choose to come to this program?
Living in Hawaii, working full time, and being a mother made it challenging to consider an in-person post professional program. The virtual, asynchronous style allowed for autonomy and an ability to work when the timing was right for me. Having attended undergraduate and then graduate school for almost six year, the under 2 year program was also appealing.
What are your goals for the future after you graduate?
The MGH IHP PPOTD program increased my confidence to branch out to new clinical and non-clinical endeavors. After graduation, I plan to be more involved in community-based OT and interprofessional groups focused on advancing the practice and awareness of OT and advocating for survivors of traumatic brain injury.