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Occupational therapy professor joins Leadership Women Texas
Department of Occupational Therapy Professor and Chair Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is a member of the Leadership Women Texas 2023 cohort.
The leadership program includes women leaders across a variety of industries and aligns with her professional and personal priorities, Piernik-Yoder said.
Two pilot studies will gauge impact of interventions on neuroplasticity and hip-fracture surgery outcomes in older adults
UT Health San Antonio researchers will be launching two pilot studies to learn whether specific interventions help older adults build stronger neural pathways and recover better from hip fracture surgery.
The two separate pilot studies each received a $50,000 grant from the San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.
Does blood-flow restriction exercise boost neuroplasticity?
Meet OT department’s two newest faculty members
The Department of Occupational Therapy recently welcomed two new faculty members.
Associate Professor Chinyu Wu, PhD, OTR, and Assistant Professor Angela Benfield, PhD, OTR, joined the department in August. Each brings research interests that will add to the department, said Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgette Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA.
UT Health San Antonio, associate dean receive awards at ASAHP conference
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, was inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) at its annual conference in October.
OT scholarship recipients find purpose in profession
Third-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy students Jackie Johnson and Ayla Akers have received the 2022 Paul D. Ellsworth Endowed Scholarship in Occupational Therapy. The scholarship honors Army Lt. Col. Paul D. Ellsworth, who retired from the occupational therapy faculty in 1998 and passed away in 2016.
OT professor’s research informs back-to-school mindfulness and stress relief tips shared by OTD students at community event
By Kate Hunger
For Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Elise Gray, volunteering at a back to school event this summer was more than a way to educate families on the proper way to pack and carry a backpack. Gray and fellow OTD students also shared activities and information to help school children manage stress and anxiety as they head back to class.
Occupational therapy professor Kimatha Grice to retire
Associate Professor Kimatha Grice, OTD, OTR, CHT, found her future profession in the library stacks at Texas A&M University.
“I was researching schools for physical therapy, and I came across occupational therapy,” she said. “I started reading up on it, and I thought, ‘That sounds really interesting — it sounds more like me.’ That’s how I ended up in OT school, and I never looked back.”
ICU simulation prepares PT, OT and nursing students for work as an interprofessional team
An interprofessional intensive care unit simulation activity this spring was timed just right for the 118 physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing students who participated.
Held in April before doctoral PT and OT students began clinical rotations and the 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students graduated, the activity gave students the opportunity to learn firsthand about the roles of other health professions in the ICU — and to practice their own skills.
Embracing an interprofessional approach
OT professor elected to RESNA board, co-presents workshop at European Seating Symposium
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Ana Allegretti, PhD, OTR, ATP, has been elected to the board of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).
Dr. Allegretti, a long-time member of RESNA and is as an associate editor for its journal. Born and raised in Brazil, she said she will bring an international perspective to the board during her three-year term, which begins in August. One of her goals as a board member will be to increase access to the organization’s resources by clinicians around the world.
UT Health San Antonio holds second rehabilitation research day
Third-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy students Tina Bittle, Paige Beeney and Cristina Martinez developed their interest in research while working on a project with a local high school to provide modified ride-on toy cars to young children with physical disabilities.
The three presented “Partnering with community organizations to address early mobility,” one of 39 research posters at UT Health San Antonio’s second annual Rehabilitation Research Day, held May 13 on campus.
SHP students inducted into allied health professions honor society
Fifty School of Health Professions students were inducted May 5 into the campus chapter of the Alpha Eta Society, the national honor society of the allied health professions.
The induction ceremony was held virtually, said chapter president and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Martha M. Acosta, PhD, PT, GCS.
National occupational therapy conference held in San Antonio
The American Occupational Therapy Association held its annual conference in San Antonio March 31–April 3, the first time the annual gathering has included an in-person option in three years.
Faculty are engaged as national OT conference comes to San Antonio this spring
When the American Occupational Therapy Association holds its annual conference in San Antonio this spring, members of the Department of Occupational Therapy faculty will be involved in numerous ways — from presenting short courses to supporting the event.
OT professor shares study findings for helping children reduce stress at school
Something as simple as focusing on glitter falling gently in a sensory bottle can soothe children who experience anxiety and stress, said Mei-Ling Lin, OTR, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy.
OT student receives leadership award at annual state OT conference
Third-year occupational therapy doctoral student Jennifer Sanchez received the 2021 Student Leadership Award at the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) annual conference, held Nov. 5-6.
Two ways to help others this holiday season
Looking for a way to make life a little brighter for others this holiday season? Here are two opportunities to do just that:
Nursing Home Clothing Drive: Drop off new sweatshirts, sweatpants, and non-slip socks to the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Special Programs, DTL 2.207R, through Dec. 10. To donate to the SHP Clothing Drive, please click here.
Allied Health Week open house introduces high school students to health professions
In an effort to increase awareness about health professions careers among high school students, the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions hosted a virtual open house to celebrate Allied Health Week 2021.
The Office of Recruitment and Science Outreach helped organize and promote the open house, held via Zoom on Nov. 5. About 160 high school students from around the San Antonio area attended the event, said School of Health Professions Director of Admissions and Special Programs Melina Dauto Benavidez.
OT collaboration with local high school results in custom rides for children with mobility challenges
On a recent afternoon, 2-year-old Daniella patiently waited for adjustments to be made to her harness and other elements of her brand-new ride-on toy car. When all was ready, the cluster of students and adults who had been waiting for this moment encouraged her to press the red saucer-sized button on top of the car’s steering wheel. The car whizzed forward, and Daniella smiled.
SHP faculty present at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
Faculty from across the School of Health Professions participated in the 2021 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) conference held virtually Sept. 24–29.
“ACRM is the premier interdisciplinary rehabilitation organization that brings together national and international clinicians, researchers, administrators and policy makers,” said Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Occupational Therapy Timothy Reistetter, PhD, OTR, FAOTA. “ACRM facilitates networking opportunities, scholarly discourse and collaboration to guide the rehabilitation field.”
Interprofessional wellness activity promotes hydration, nutrition and mindfulness
An interprofessional cooking and wellness program offered by the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and the San Antonio Food Bank inspired Lora George, a physician assistant studies student, to whip up a refreshing change to her daily hydration routine.
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