TWU School of Occupational Therapy faculty and students are making a difference with a pioneering spirit! It is exciting to be part of the nation's first woman-focused university system. As plans emerge, we anticipate playing an important role in shining a light on the rich legacy and bright future of occupational therapy education at TWU. We are proud and humbled by the amazing work that our alumni do in their communities and for our profession around the globe. TWU alumni are leading and teaching in occupational therapy programs that are too numerous to count and we are grateful to each of our BS, MA, MOT, OTD and PhD graduates for modeling excellence and encouraging and supporting the next generation of occupational therapists with your professional legacy.
I hope you enjoy this issue of our news and that it finds you thriving and well as we emerge from the extended pandemic that challenged us over the past two years. My hope is that you have access to meaningful occupation that provides restoration and rejuvenation when you need it most!
Be well, and be well occupied.
– Cynthia Evetts, Professor and Director
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TWU honored to host the archives of Dr. Lela Llorens |
Lela Llorens, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, named one of the 100 most influential people in occupational therapy by the American Occupational Therapy Association, also was an influential force on the School of Occupational Therapy. As host of her archives, TWU continues to celebrate her many achievements and contributions.
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OT faculty members use grants for amazing projects |
Lydia Royeen, PhD, OTR/L, partnered with the Agape Clinic in receiving a Crystal Charity Ball Grant to expand pediatric services for individuals, and Tina Fletcher, EdD, MFA, OTR, is wrapping up a two-year grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to work with students with autism in their transition from school to the community environment.
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TWU welcomes two new OT faculty members |
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Angela Cecil, PhD, MBA, OTR
Associate Clinical Professor
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Adam Steuer, DHSc, OTR
Assistant Professor
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TWU Denton SOTA students spend spring semester volunteering and learning |
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This semester, TWU Denton Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) members volunteered with Special Olympics Texas to help run an individual basketball skills competition at a local Dallas high school. The students assisted the athletes, awarded medals to the winners and received a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run such an event.
The students also partnered with the Pre-OT Club in Denton to share information and insight with potential OT students.
In addition, they had the opportunity to hear from a relatively new OT practitioner who discussed her personal experiences navigating the field.
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Students work together for children's event |
TWU Houston OT and nursing students paired with Texas A&M Engineering Medicine students to provide assessments and measurements for the campus’ first Go Baby Go Build Day on March 26, 2022. Go Baby Go events provide children with complicated medical, physical and cognitive issues engagement in the occupation of play through the use of customized electronic ride-in cars. This event was the beginning of many opportunities for students to work in interprofessional groups in preparation for their future careers.
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IPE: Schools of OT and PT host Equipment Fair |
The TWU School of Occupational Therapy teamed up with the School of Physical Therapy for another annual networking Equipment Fair. Alicia Lohmann, OTD, OTR, CBIS, and Rupal Patel, PT, PhD, collaborated to provide interprofessional course work where students interacted with several community providers and manufacturers specializing in custom seating and positioning. It was truly a team effort as all collaborated together to solve patient case studies.
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29th Annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship |
The School of Occupational Therapy hosted its 29th annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship on February 11, 2022. Catana Brown, PhD, OTR, presented her Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery Program (NEW-R). Her valued lecture demonstrated its unique intervention designed for individuals with mental illness. At the end of her presentation, she had Q&A for over 200 viewers! Following the lecture, TWU entry-OTD students Natalie Mackie, Renita Sun and Edgar Pizarro presented posters from their mentored research.
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Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship's 30th Anniversary |
The next Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship will mark the 30th anniversary of the School of Occupational Therapy's annual event.
The first Vanderkooi Endowed Lecturer was Lela Llorens, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, in 1993.
We are excited to celebrate this event with you, so please stay tuned for more information for our 30th year celebration!
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AOTA Inspire 2022 Annual Conference |
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TWU had strong representation at the AOTA Inspire 2022 Annual Conference with over 20 faculty and student presentations. At the TWU alumni event, over 50 alumni from the 1970s through 2021 gathered to celebrate the School of Occupational Therapy. In addition, faculty members Marsha Neville, PhD, OT, received the Retired Educator Award, and Noralyn Pickens, PhD, OT, received the FAOTA Award.
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Earn your PhD degree in Occupational Therapy at TWU |
TWU has been educating occupational therapists for nearly 80 years, and now 28 years strong, our PhD program has produced researchers, educators, professional leaders and advocates.
See what the program can do for you!
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The TWU School of Occupational Therapy is seeking an associate director for the Dallas campus who will foster a climate of intellectual vitality and academic excellence, and will support our innovative and community-centered faculty members in their teaching, scholarship and service activities. The associate director manages the day-to-day operations of the campus programs, including budget and staff supervision, and works closely with the school director and the associate directors on each campus. |
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Support TWU
OT Students
Please consider giving any amount to the Occupational Therapy Faculty and Alumni Scholarship, a robust scholarship fund that, when endowed, will provide financial support for OT students in need.
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Stay Connected with the
TWU School of Occupational Therapy
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