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School of Health Professions
Results: 165 news stories
OT professor receives service award from Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
Occupational therapy and PA programs celebrate white coat ceremonies
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs held white coat ceremonies in May to highlight their students’ transition to the clinical phase of their respective programs.
The OTD Class of 2026 gathered on May 9 for their white coat and recognition ceremony, which featured awards and recognitions of leadership, research and scholarship in addition to the traditional donning of the white coats.
OT faculty present at American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference
Department of Occupational Therapy faculty presented at the AOTA INSPIRE | 2025 Annual Conference and Expo held April 3–5 in Philadelphia.
Assistant Professor Mei-Ling Lin, PhD, OTR, co-presented “Exploring the Global Pandemic of COVID-19 on the Transition to OT Graduate Programs” with Roland Martinez, OTR, a recent graduate of the OTD program.
Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Activities in 2024
Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Sanchez, OTD Class of 2022
School of Health Professions alumna Jennifer Sanchez, OTR, OTD, is a member of the University of Texas System Chancellor’s Centurions, a group of early- and mid-career alumni from all UT System institutions who promote higher education and health care in Texas. She began her term in fall 2024.
School of Health Professions faculty awarded more than $5.6 million in federal grants in second half of fiscal year
With projects ranging from increasing the number of physician assistants practicing in rural South Texas to research aimed at improving central hearing in people with concussion, School of Health Professions researchers have been awarded more than $5.6 million in federal grant funding in the last six months.
Occupational Therapy Associate Professor Ricky Joseph retires
Recently retired Associate Professor Ricky Joseph, PhD, OTR, had worked in the occupational therapy profession for almost 47 years when he retired May 31.
When he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy in 2013, Joseph brought more than two decades of experience working as an occupational therapist in the U.S. Army.
Photo exhibit shares employment participation perspectives of people with mental illness
“I spent valuable time on my journey, mental health challenges, and life. I didn’t even recognize myself in the mirror. I lost (so much) time that I couldn’t look in the mirror.” – Reflections of a study participant
A bus stop, a clock, the view from a bedroom floor: These images and many more are represented in a collection of photos on display at Briscoe Library through July 31.
“We all have the same simple, yet honorable reason for being here — to help people”
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Class of 2025 celebrated its accomplishments in scholarship, leadership, service and research during its white coat and recognition ceremony on May 3 in Holly Auditorium.
The students received their white coats and pins at the end of their second year in the program and ahead of their final year, which includes a capstone experience.
American Occupational Therapy Association president visits campus during OT Month
An annual intraprofessional collaboration activity between Doctor of Occupational Therapy students at UT Health San Antonio and students in the occupational therapy assistant program at St. Philip’s College is the first of its kind in the US, American Occupational Therapy Association President Alyson Stover noted during her visit to the Department of Occupational Therapy in April.
Associate Dean for Research receives RO1 funding to study the influence of social determinants of health in rehabilitation outcomes pre- and post-COVID-19
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Research Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, a professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, has secured more than $1.5 million in RO1 grant funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to support his research on the effect of social determinants of health on rehabilitation outcomes befo
Shoe drive benefits Alpha Home residents
After volunteering at a recent pro bono clinic, physical therapy students recognized a need for shoes among those served by Alpha Home, a local nonprofit that supports residential addiction recovery treatment for women.
A good pair of shoes makes all the difference in rehabilitating a lower-extremity injury, said Julie Barnett, PT, DPT, MTC, an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions.
Faculty members present at UT Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference
Three School of Health Professions faculty members shared research presentations at The University of Texas System Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education 2024 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference held in Austin on Feb. 22–23.
A look at Department of Occupational Therapy faculty activities in 2023
Department of Occupational Therapy 2023 Faculty Highlights
Let the games return: Students from across the school hold Allied Health Games for first time since pandemic
School of Health Professions students kicked off National Allied Health Week by reviving the Allied Health Games, a fun tradition that had been on hiatus for several years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Nov. 4, students from across the school participated in the games, including a sand volleyball tournament, tug of war, wheelbarrow racing and a team relay race. Teams were awarded points for having the best team spirit, being the best dressed teams and winning events.
School of Health Professions faculty and students receive awards, present at annual state conference
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society for the Advancement of Health Professions at its 45th annual conference in September.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program fellow joins Department of Occupational Therapy faculty
Michael Bermudez, EdD, OTR, sees occupational therapy as a means for helping people with disabilities. His tools? Circuit boards, code and 3D printers, to name a few.
This July, Bermudez brought his research interest in assistive technology to The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy as an assistant professor.
SHP programs provide screenings and health and wellness info at Spurs Back to School Bash
Students and faculty from five programs in the School of Health Professions participated in the Spurs Give Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.
Several thousand children and adults attended the free community event, which included backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, eye exams, dental screenings, and a variety of other activities and services from community organizations and vendors participating in the event.
OT professor serves on board of Project MEND
Associate Professor Ana Allegretti, PhD, OTR, ATP, was elected in May to serve on the board of directors of Project MEND, a nonprofit that provides refurbished medical equipment to people in San Antonio and Texas.
OT chair is president-elect of Shine Academy
Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, has been elected president-elect of The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education.
Piernik-Yoder, who served as chair of the academy’s education committee for the past two years, will begin her two-year term in March 2024.
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