Charmaine Uy, a 2019 alumna of Belmont’s School of Occupational Therapy, recently completed a neurological occupational therapy fellowship at the Brooks Rehabilitation Institute of Higher Learning. The Brooks Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellowship is a one-year program in which fellows-in-training gain extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with various neurologic diagnoses but with an emphasis on spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke.

Fellows-in-training received 1:1 direct mentorship from expert clinicians in these fields with a focus on enhancing clinical reasoning and improving general practice management. In addition to working full-time and managing a full-case load, Uy attended neurologic-focused classes. She completed a total of three case studies examining occupational therapy treatment interventions for pain, upper limb ataxia and stroke in order to improve ADL (Activities of Daily Living) performance and overall independence.

Of her experience in the program, Uy said, “My participation in the neurologic fellowship over the past year has allowed me to become a more knowledgeable and efficient occupational therapist. I feel that it was a great first step as I start my career as an OT and would not have done it any other way.”

Dr. Teresa Plummer, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, CEAS, CAPS was nominated and selected among more than 70 therapists across the globe to be a member of the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals Educators Training Package Consortium.

As a mandate from the World Health Organization, occupational therapy and physical therapy programs are encouraged to increase the learning opportunities for knowledge related to wheelchair service and delivery. Few resources exist in low income and middle income countries. The outcome of the ISWP project will create learning resources for all socioeconomic levels.

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Katy (Coffer) Schmidt was recently offered a mental health occupational therapy fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Schmidt received her Bachelor’s degrees in Psychological Science and Music Performance from Belmont in 2016 and a doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Belmont in 2019.

For 12 months beginning in August, Schmidt will gain mentored advanced clinical practice and didactic experiences in eight psychiatric settings. She will also have opportunities for research, advocacy, program development and teaching.Although many occupational therapists across the country apply for this position, only one fellowship is awarded each year.

This fellowship will contribute to Schmidt’s eligibility for an American Occupational Therapy Association Board Certification in Mental Health.

Belmont University Occupational Therapy students, with Professor Dr. Natalie Michaels, educated high school students about physical therapy and occupational therapy at the 2019 Health Sciences Career Fair last month at Hillwood High School.

Many of the high school students were uncertain of the difference between the two therapies, but OTD students Chantè Bowens and Brittany Clark were on hand to help teach students about the benefits of each.

Lara Casey, undergraduate admissions coordinator for the College of Health Sciences at Belmont, was also present to answer questions and to inform students about the various health care majors available at Belmont.

This Career Fair, organized by Academy Coach for Hillwood High School Mary York, is held annually to inform students about the various career options available in the field of Health Sciences.

Students and faculty in the Occupational Therapy program at Belmont University recently traveled to Permobil’s corporate headquarters in Lebanon, Tennessee to help outfit custom-fit toy cars for children with mobility impairments as part of the Go Baby Go program.  The event was covered by reporter Matt Masters of the Lebanon Democrat with a feature article in the newspaper, excerpted below.

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