Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Welcome & Meet Our New Bloggers!

Welcome to the 2011-2012 Occupational Therapy school year at Saint Louis University!  This semester we are starting a new way to inform and promote a variety of things relating to Occupational Therapy.  As first year Master students, we are developing this blog and updating it periodically to include information pertaining to current students and those interested in SLU’s Occupational Therapy program.  We are very excited to keep this blog updated and want to provide our email addresses for anyone interested in the program to contact us if you have questions.

Holly VanderSchaaf hvander1@slu.edu
Caryn Murray cmurra21@slu.edu
Ryan Montgomery rmontgo2@slu.edu

Hi Everyone!
My name is Caryn.  I am looking forward to starting my first experience as a blogger.  As an OT student, I have learned that part of Occupational Therapy’s wide area of focus includes looking at individuals and seeing what makes up that person, including their interests, values, beliefs, past experiences, environment, and much more.  I want to give a blurb with a little background info on me.  I believe it would only be natural to give a brief insight of my previous experiences.  This can also give you an idea on how I might approach things and how you can utilize me (and my fellow OT student bloggers) to help you develop your sense of self particularly relating to your journey into the world of Occupational Therapy!
I was born in SE Texas.  My family (two loving parents, an older brother & two younger sisters) and I moved to a small town in north central Arkansas when I was 11 years old.  I received my bachelor degree in Psychology at the University of Arkansas in 2008.  The spring semester of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to become an Occupational Therapist.  I first heard about OT while I was a baby-sitter for a family with a child with Down syndrome, but I really didn’t consider it until I did more research on my own.   Even after deciding OT, I still sought out volunteer experiences to confirm my decision before applying to graduate school.  I did a volunteer year with the Vincentian Service Corp working at an adult day care center here in St. Louis shortly after my undergrad.   I really enjoyed it but I still wanted to find other volunteer programs because I personally felt I wasn’t ready to go back to school just yet.  I then moved to Chicago to live and work as a therapy aide at Misericordia, a long-term care facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities.   While in Chicago I started applying to different OT schools until I was accepted and began SLU’s program this past May.

Hello All,
My name is Ryan and I am a thirty year old female, the name is a bit deceiving. .  I am a native of St. Louis.  And for those of you who are from St. Louis, I went to Rosati-Kain High School.  I am very excited to blog about my experiences as a masters student in the Occupational Therapy Program at Saint Louis University!  So just to give you a bit of my story, I previously graduated from SLU in 2003 with a bachelor degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  After I graduated, I wasn’t sure  if this truly was the profession of my dreams, so I chose to work in sales before I made any major moves.  I spoke with a few friends who are in the OT field and they aided my decision to become an Occupational Therapist.  With more research, I decided that this would be a good field for me to go into.  I love helping people and there are so many areas of practice, anyone with a caring heart who is  interested can find their place in this field.  I committed myself and took all the necessary prerequisites, which took a year and a half.  I was accepted to the program in 2010 and was placed on the waiting list for a year.  In May of 2011, I began the OT program at SLU and I am so happy with my decision.  So if you get placed on the waiting list, don’t be discouraged take that time to prepare yourself for this new adventure believe me it’s worth it!

Hey!  My name is Holly VanderSchaaf.  I am 25 years old and was born/raised in a suburb of Orlando, FL called Lake Mary.  When I was 17, I moved up to Bourbonnais, IL to attend Olivet Nazarene University.  In 2007, I transferred to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  As I was finishing up my senior year about to graduate with my Bachelors in Psychology, I stumbled across Occupational Therapy in a personality book.  I had never heard of the field and wanted to learn more.  After doing some of my own research, I fell in love with it and knew this the kind of career I wanted.  I originally planned on either going for my Masters in Social Work or Counseling.  The part of OT that I enjoy the most is being able to be there for someone going through a hard time.  I will be able to help them develop, grow, or adapt to their situation.  I enjoy the mental health aspect of life and Occupational Therapy.  Also, with healthcare, it can be hard to find someone who will actual listen to you and with OT, we pride ourselves on really listening and catering to our patients/clients.  After I graduated in December 2009, I had to take 8 extra pre-reqs in order to even apply to the program.  I spent the next year and half taking those classes, working two jobs, volunteering, studying for the GRE, and getting my application ready.  I was accepted at SLU February of this year and began in May.  It has been a long journey to get to where I am today, but it was definitely worth the time and sacrifices I’ve made.  I love Occupational Therapy and the opportunities in this field.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Faculty Practice Social Skills Group Featured on SLU.edu

This week, the Saint Louis University website features a piece about the teen social skills group organized by Jeanne Eichler. Professor Eichler currently teaches juniors and post baccalaureate masters students in the combined BSOS/MOT program, but also functions as the department's clinical faculty. Check out the link below to learn more about the group and student volunteers:

http://www.slu.edu/x39561.xml

Friday, June 10, 2011

Julie Holmes Award for Professional Excellence in Service to the Community

Graduating MOT student Lindsey Scoles is this year's recipient of the Julie Holmes Award for Professional Excellence in Service to the Community.

The award is in tribute to Julie Holmes, a 1998 graduate from the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Ms. Holmes’s legacy is that of a passionate young woman in service to those with disabilities, especially children and their families.  This award recognizes the exceptional student occupational therapist that characterizes and exemplifies Ms. Holmes’s commitment to volunteerism and spirit of advocacy for occupational justice.

Please join the department in congratulating Lindsey on this achievement!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Doisy College of Health Sciences Precommencement Ceremony

This past Thursday, Doisy College of Health Sciences students celebrated the completion of their degrees at the Precommencement ceremony held in Chaifetz arena. The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy celebrated the graduation of 34 students with their Bachelors of Science in Occupational Science and 53 students with their Master of Occupational Therapy! BSOS students will be back at Precommencement next year to walk for their MOT degree, and Masters students will spend the next month completing their fieldwork sessions. We wish luck to all of our new graduates and look forward to seeing our most recent alumni in the future!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Student Occupational Therapy Association Barbecue

Earlier this month, SLU/SOTA, Saint Louis University's Student Occupational Therapy Association, celebrated the election of new SLU/SOTA board members at a barbecue hosted by Professor Jeanne Eichler. These new members will continue to serve the purpose of SLU/SOTA and enhance students' understanding of occupational therapy through professional, educational, and community and social activities. Each year, SLU/SOTA facilitates opportunities for camaraderie among students and provides meaningful, productive interaction with faculty.

The new SLU/SOTA board members are as follows:

President: Julie Spychala
Secretary: Samantha Simmons
Vice President: Katie Kuemmel
Treasurer: Ashley Welman
Education/Volunteer Chair: Megan McCray
Social Chair: Theresa Rudolph
Fundraising Chair: Katie Conner
Disability Awareness Week:  Chair: Mary Georgen
                                       Co-Chairs - Jess Hauert & Sam Simmons

Congratulations to all of our new SLU/SOTA officers and we look forward to their contributions this upcoming academic year!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Congratulations to Professor Sherry Muir!

On Thursday, May 5th, Professor Sherry Muir received the Excellence in Mentoring and Interaction with Students award at Margaret and Edward Doisy College of Heath Sciences annual awards ceremony. The award recognizes a faculty member who serves as a model for interaction with students and mentoring. In addition to the Excellence in Mentoring and Interaction with Students Award, Professor Muir received the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association Outstanding Educator Award last semester.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Muir for these achievements!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Operation Affirmation

The junior students in OCS 352 (Occupational Health and Wellness) created a program called Operation Affirmation to look at the community wellness portion of the Occupational Health and Wellness class on Monday, April 18, 2011.



The objectives of the program were:
  • to gain insight into the effects of genuine affirmation/positive reinforcement on both the community as well as those who were doing the affirming;
  • to plan a wellness event that can impact people over a large area directly or indirectly;
  • to work both individually and as a team to evaluate the process and results of the program.
  • to start a positive movement of affirmations on campus
Students write a reflection paper on the experience, and note how it impacted both themselves and the people around them. They will also be reflecting on the process of putting the project together, which is part of this multi-faceted learning experience.


We live in a world where people are more apt to tell people what they are doing wrong rather than focusing on what they are doing right. This can have a major impact on overall wellness, job satisfaction, and general well-being.


Studies show that even a complement or positive remark from a stranger can impact a person, and the "repercussions" continue as that person consciously or unconsciously passes it on through attitude, action, and intention. Creating a positive environment is every one's job. One person can make a difference just by having a good attitude, which lessens or has the power to eliminate toxicity in work environments.

All of the students in the class wore shirts that said Operation Affirmation on the front with "Pass it on" on the back, encouraging those who were affirmed to pass on the complement/affirmation to students, faculty, staff, and guests on campus-- "equal opportunity complements" available.


Students distributed erasers with smiles on them as well as affirmations to some participants. Others received verbal complements. they were situated on both north and south campus, both outside and within buildings and departments.

Others on campus are interested in hearing about what students learned with the hope of gaining insight on what motivates people and what helps them to feel included, positively regarded as valuable members of the community, and recognized. It's easy to become "invisible" in a crowd. This is one way to reach people where they are at the extent in which they are comfortable.


Friday, April 15, 2011

Occupational Therapy Department Hosts 2011 Midwest Deans' Occupational Therapy Research Conference

On March 4th and 5th, the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy hosted the 24th annual Midwest Deans' Occupational Therapy Research Conference. Students, practitioners, and educators attended more than 25 presentations as well as a poster session on Saturday afternoon. The department welcomed guests from nearly ten Midwestern universities. The conference featured guest speakers Carolyn Baum, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Elias Michael Director of the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis, and Doris Pierce, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Endowed Chair of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University.

The department would like to thank all MOT student volunteers, Fresh Gatherings, Saint Louis University Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, and CRAVE coffeehouse for their contributions to this event for the second consecutive year!