Creating Tomorrow’s Practice
SM
Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago
Creating Tomorrow’s Practice
SM
Leading the Field in Education, Scholarship and Practice
“
When people ask why I’m proud to be dean of the UIC College of Applied
Health Sciences, my answer always includes, within a few sentences, the fact that we’re the home of the university’s internationally esteemed occupational therapy program—the highest-ranked academic discipline at UIC. The teaching, research and practice housed in the Department of Occupational Therapy is innovative, consequential and enduring. I can’t think of any academic endeavor creating more value for the world than this.
”
— Bo Fernhall, Dean, UIC College of Applied Health Sciences
CORE FACULTY
Theresa Carroll, OTD, OTR/L Clinical Assistant Professor
Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, PhD Professor and Head
Heidi Fischer, MS, OTR/L Clinical Instructor
Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Professor and Wade/Meyer Endowed Chair, Director of Doctoral Studies
Catherine Killian, MEd, OTR/L Clinical Instructor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Elizabeth Peterson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Clinical Professor, Director of Professional Education
Sandy Magaña, PhD Professor
Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, FAOTA Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Head for Administration
Jenica Lee, OTD, OTR/L Clinical Assistant Professor
Susan Magasi, PhD Assistant Professor Mansha Mirza, PhD, OTR/L, MS HSOR Assistant Professor
IIwww.ahs.uic.edu/ot
Kathy Preissner, EdD, OTR/L Clinical Associate Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Ashley Stoffel, OTD, OTR/L Clinical Assistant Professor Renee Taylor, PhD Professor and UIC’s Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
ADJUNCT FACULTY Glen Cotton, OTD, OTR/L Celeste Januszewski, OTR/L Kay McGee, MS, OTR/L Kimberly Muir, MS, OTR/L
ACADEMIC STAFF Mary Berta Departmental Business Manager Genya Harley Assistant to the Head Maria Larson Academic Coordinator
S
ince 1943, the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago has been integrating research, education and clinical practice in service to one vision: Creating Tomorrow’s Practice. We are shaping the profession though our engagement in Scholarship of Practice; our commitment to excellent education for the leaders and practitioners of tomorrow; our service in leading the profession; our engagement in international initiatives; and our community partnerships through which we enhance the lives of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. UIC occupational therapy faculty, students and alumni are innovative professionals who transform the health and quality of life of individuals from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and global communities. Our work enables capacity-building, occupational opportunities and participation in society. We present here a collection of stories and accomplishments to showcase who we are now, as we embark on our next 70 years of excellence.
Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar Professor and Occupational Therapy Department Head
U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKS OUR MS PROGRAM FOURTH AMONG ALL U.S. UNIVERSITIES AND FIRST AMONG PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES 1
Scholarship of Practice
Our department is widely recognized for contributions to advancing knowledge in occupational therapy and related fields. Our research is framed within a Scholarship of Practice model in which scholarship advances practice and practice informs scholarship. Here are examples of our faculty’s recent work at the intersection of research and everyday realities.
22
SCHOL ARSHIP OF PR ACTICE
AOTF Research Award Sandy Magaña, Mansha Mirza and Ashley Stoffel received a research grant from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) to develop, implement and evaluate a family-directed intervention for Latino immigrant families raising preschool-age children with autism spectrum disorders. The pilot intervention will pair occupational therapists and community health workers to assist Latino families in (a) assessing the participation needs of their children with ASD, and (b) identifying and addressing environmental barriers and facilitators to promote their child’s participation in meaningful activities.
Immigrant Health
Healthcare Access
Mansha Mirza is working to reduce health
Susan Magasi engages in collaborative
and disability disparities affecting under-
research with the disability community
served refugees and immigrants in the U.S.
to understand root causes of healthcare
In her project comparing social participa-
access, quality and outcome disparities
tion determinants and outcomes for low-income children,
among people with disabilities and to then develop com-
she learned that immigrant families fare worse than native
munity-driven strategies for improvement. Magasi and
families on important predictors of social participation such
her team have a grant from the American Cancer Society
as insurance coverage for the child and parental educa-
to investigate individual and environmental barriers women
tion. In another study, she is analyzing the involvement of
with disabilities face accessing breast and cervical cancer
language interpreters in mental health care for non-English
screening. Magasi is a co-investigator on major NIH and
speaking refugees; findings will inform training and practice
NIDRR-funded measurement initiatives, including the
guidelines for healthcare providers and interpreters.
National Children’s Study, NIH Toolbox and PROMIS.
Obesity Prevention
Assessing Group Homes
Obesity rates are higher in youth and young
Gail Fisher and her master’s students
adults with disabilities than in those without
created the Residential Environment
disabilities, in part because individuals with
Impact Scale (REIS) to help group homes
disabilities tend to engage in more seden-
better support the self-determination and
tary activities and be excluded from physical activity and
independence of residents with intellectual disabilities.
community programs. Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar is contrib-
Using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) frame-
uting to a national study funded by NIDRR that is adapting
work, the REIS evaluates a group home’s space, everyday
the CDC’s 24 obesity-prevention strategies to apply to
objects, activities and enabling relationships in terms of
youth and young adults with disabilities, especially Latinos
whether they support or interfere with the residents’
and African Americans. Once the inclusion guidelines are
quality of life. The REIS has been validated through a
finalized, they will be disseminated by the CDC and tested
recent research study in the U.K. and is being translated
in local communities.
into seven languages by international colleagues.
3
JOY HAMMEL
Professor Inducted to AOTF Academy of Research
Professor Joy Hammel, PhD, Wade/Meyer Endowed Chair and director of the occupational therapy doctoral program, was inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Academy of Research at the AOTA Annual Conference. This is the highest scholarly honor conferred by AOTF and one of the highest honors in the profession. In her scholarship, Hammel focuses on research to: (1) identify key environmental barriers and supports for least-
Here are just two examples of projects Hammel is helping to lead:
restrictive community living and full societal participation of
•
The Americans with Disabilities Act-Participation Action
people with long-term disabilities and chronic conditions;
Research Consortium (ADA-PARC) federal grant project is
(2) create and test new consumer-directed and patient-
examining key disparities in home, community and work/
centered instruments to assess participation in context;
economic participation across 36 states, helping a national
and (3) conduct participation-focused intervention research
consortium of stakeholders and policymakers to identify and
to effect systems change, act on policy issues, and build
address these disparities across national, state and city levels.
community capacity.
•
The Increasing Participation after Stroke Self-Management program (IPASS) federal grant project is evaluating the impact of a novel self-management and occupational therapy program on participation outcomes for stroke survivors in a multisite trial in Chicago and St. Louis.
Hammel collaborates with community organizations and programs to advocate for systems change to protect the rights of people with disabilities. In recognition of these efforts, she and colleague Robin Jones, MPA, COTA/L, ROH, director of the Great Lakes ADA Center at UIC, were awarded the AOTA Terry Brittel OTA/OT Partnership Award.
4
SCHOL ARSHIP OF PR ACTICE
Fall Prevention
Multiple Sclerosis Education
Falls are caused by diverse, interacting risk
For over 10 years, Kathy Preissner has
factors, making fall prevention a challenge.
been involved in developing, implementing
Elizabeth Peterson has been engaged in
and evaluating education programs for
innovative fall-prevention research for more
people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and
than 20 years, leading to the development of assessment
their caregivers. Her work has provided important evidence
and intervention resources used worldwide to support
in the use of group-based occupational therapy interven-
older adults in their efforts to stay on their feet. Peterson
tions for these populations. Recently, she conducted a
is a member of two international research initiatives to
study to explore the learning process of people with MS
bring evidence-based fall prevention strategies to people
in a group-based fatigue-management program. Preissner
with multiple sclerosis.
is the author of AOTA’s “Practice Guidelines for Adults with Neurodegenerative Diseases.”
Stroke Rehabilitation Heidi Fischer is working with occupational
Work Skills Assessment
therapy researchers and engineers in the
The Assessment of Work Performance
Hand Rehabilitation Lab at the Rehabili-
(AWP), developed in 2006 by Linköping
tation Institute of Chicago to develop new
University’s Jan Sandqvist, PhD, is a
techniques and devices that facilitate functional use of the
MOHO-based observation tool widely used
hand after stroke. Their research looks at neural mecha-
by Swedish therapists to assess individual work functioning
nisms that control the hand and specific sources of hand
and guide occupational therapy interventions to increase
impairment common after stroke. Fischer and her col-
work readiness and return-to-work. Jenica Lee collabo-
leagues are using this information to develop rehabilitation
rated with Sandqvist to develop the English-version of the
devices, virtual technology and a task-oriented therapy
AWP and training materials. The English version is used by
protocol to improve recovery of hand function.
therapists in English-speaking countries worldwide.
Transition Services
Chronic Fatigue
Young adults with significant disabilities are
Renee Taylor’s large-scale, NIH-funded
much less likely to be employed, enrolled
study of infectious mononucleosis (mono)
in postsecondary education, living inde-
in adolescents examined the causes and
pendently or engaged in community activi-
extent of long-term fatigue and disabili-
ties. Theresa Carroll is working to identify best practices
ty following acute infection. Her work revealed that six,
for occupational therapists to support successful transitions
12 and 24 months after having mono, 13%, 7% and 4%,
to adulthood. She consults and collaborates with school
respectively, of adolescents met criteria for chronic fatigue
districts and community organizations to improve school-
syndrome. As a result, these teens perceive themselves as
based transition services; to encourage school-based
having lower competence in school performance and every-
occupational therapists to become advocates; and to link
day activities. Taylor’s findings support early identification
services across schools and community organizations.
and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents.
OT in Primary Care
Family-Centered Interventions
Catherine Killian is studying the role of
Ashley Stoffel works to promote family-
occupational therapy in the primary care
centered services to young children and
practice setting, as well as patient mobility/
families in diverse Early Intervention and
handling and healthcare leadership. These
community settings. She is actively engaged
interests are driven by her clinical experience in hospital,
at the local, state and national level in Early Intervention
skilled nursing and home-health settings, as well as by
and Early Childhood workgroups, resource development
her roles in therapy management at several large health-
and presentations.
care organizations.
5
Leading the Profession
PhD students Danbi Lee and Jenna Heffron at the Summit
Gail Fisher is chair of the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee, of which she has been a board member since 2009.
In collaboration with three other top programs in the U.S., the UIC Department of Occupational Therapy launched the annual Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars.
As part of her role with the committee, Fisher takes
The second occupational therapy summit was held at
students to Washington, D.C., for AOTA’s Capitol Hill
UIC in 2013. More than 100 scholars took part in the
Day each fall. There they meet with elected officials
intellectual and scientific forum to share current projects,
and/or their representatives, to educate them about
discuss future research, develop collaborations, and forge
how legislation affects occupational therapy services.
links between junior- and senior-level scholars. Yolanda
As an example of the experience they have there,
Suarez-Balcazar and Joy Hammel represent the depart-
during one visit they met with staff of Sen. Mark Kirk
ment on the organizing committee (below). The summit
(R-Ill.) about a bill to expand funding for rehabilitation
is just one example of our faculty’s deep commitment to
research. Fisher and her students’ efforts resulted in
advancing the profession of occupational therapy.
securing an additional co-sponsor for a bill to extend the exception process for Medicare recipients affected by the outpatient therapy cap. Fisher also presents to practitioners and students around the country about the implications of the Affordable Care Act and how to best prepare for the changing healthcare system.
6
Our Accomplished Clinicians
Kavitha Krishnan working with patient on balance swing
Kay McGee leads the Adult Physical Disabilities team
Our clinicians at the University of Illinois Hospital are critical contributors to the high achievement for which we are known. By sharing their expertise in classroom and lab settings, their participation in our educational programs creates a robust learning community for our students—one that involves close collaboration among faculty, practitioners and community partners. For example, MS student Virginia Chu collaborated
for the experience. Students not only selected the script;
with clinician and OTD student Kavitha Krishnan on a
they also designed and created all set materials and
significant research project: “Assessments for quantifying
costumes using few materials and their creativity.
proprioceptive deficits in children with sensory processing
The University of Illinois Hospital is implementing the
disorder.” They presented early findings of their study at
Affordable Care Act’s priorities by teaching patients self-
the third Summit of Scholars in Philadelphia.
management of chronic conditions. Using the Stanford
Our students also benefit from observing our clinicians’
University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program,
leadership. Two such exemplars are Sarah Skinner and
occupational therapists Kay McGee, Cathleen Jensen
Anna Blazevic, who are part of the behavioral health team.
and Carson Mumma of the adult physical disabilities
For many years, Skinner has co-chaired the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association Mental Health Evidence-Based Practice workgroup, which identifies
team lead self-management workshops for patients, employees and community members. Additional occupational therapy team members and
topics and speakers related to mental health to promote
a former patient recently completed a UIC-sponsored
the role of occupational therapists in that arena of care.
training program for facilitators to allow outreach to new
Blazevic collaborated with Chicago Public Schools
populations. The inpatient physical disabilities team is
teacher Barbara Lea and adolescent inpatients to put
consulting with other medical services throughout the
on a play in the hospital. It was a first for the unit and
hospital regarding multidisciplinary self-management
for many of the students, who received school credit
collaboration to improve quality patient care.
7
The Educational Experience
Our academic programs are among the strongest in the nation. They prepare students to be critical thinkers, compassionate practitioners, confident leaders and scholars who contribute new knowledge to occupational therapy and related fields. Our faculty pride themselves on providing students across all degree programs with a warm and friendly environment. Located in the heart of Chicago, UIC offers students easy access to a city abounding with opportunities for learning, working and playing.
8
The MS Program UIC provides an enriched learning environment for students studying in our master’s program. The small class size gives students front-row access to abundant faculty expertise, and four fieldwork courses in more than 80 locations develop students’ skills in various clinical, community and educational settings. Graduates leave the program maximally qualified to integrate theory, research, and practice, and deliver ethical and culturally competent services in a wide variety of settings.
“
My classmates and I take care of one another like a family, and the faculty members go above and beyond. — Jandra Hernando, MS Student
”
99% 98% 70%
of our recently enrolled MS STUDENTS graduated from the program. of our recent MS GRADUATES passed the NBCOT Certification Exam on their first attempt. of ALL STUDENTS receive scholarships or travel awards to attend professional conferences.
The OTD Program
The PhD Programs
Our Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree offers
Two PhD programs prepare students to lead in research
opportunities for career development and advancement
and academic careers. Our students can pursue a PhD
in specialized areas of practice. UIC OTD students excel
in Disability Studies, which emphasizes understanding
at applying existing research and evidence to improve
disability from the perspective of people with disabilities,
everyday practice. Having been immersed in the Scholar-
or a PhD in Rehabilitation Science, which emphasizes
ship of Practice and engaged in mentoring relationships
theory and research concerning performance and parti-
with faculty members, our OTD graduates are well pre-
cipation. Our PhD students have the close mentorship
pared to take on leadership roles in academia and practice
of faculty actively involved in research. Students create
settings. A most unique opportunity afforded to our OTD
new knowledge which furthers understanding of health,
students is the choice to participate in an international
disability, participation and well-being.
placement at Center Ann Sullivan of Peru.
“
The faculty’s doors are always open, and I feel comfortable talking to any of them about my project and goals.
”
“
The Disability Studies [PhD] program has opened my eyes to things I’ve never considered. — Lisa Mahaffey, PhD Student
”
— Leah Dunleavy, OTD Graduate
9
Partnerships in Action
Community partnerships play a critical role in the education we offer to students. Students join our community partners in addressing the needs of diverse and underserved populations in Chicago. International partnerships provide unique scholarship opportunities for OTD and PhD students.
10
El Valor
Center Ann Sullivan of Peru
Located in the nearby Pilsen
Since 2008 the department has had an international
neighborhood, El Valor provides
exchange with the Center Ann Sullivan of Peru in
an array of services to individ-
Lima. CASP is a globally recognized hub of commu-
uals with disabilities across the
nity-based research and teaching for individuals with
life span. Over the last 20 years,
different abilities. Participating OTD students spend
our faculty and students have
one month in this
partnered with El Valor in a variety
cultural immersion
of areas. Many OTD and PhD
experience, providing
students have completed their doctoral project or disserta-
services to children
tion to address some of El Valor’s unmet needs in serving
and families, engaging
culturally diverse adults with intellectual disabilities.
in CASP’s familyempowerment model,
Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago
and learning about its very successful
Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago makes its mission to provide services that “maximize independence and create opportunities for people with disabilities…to live, learn, work and play in their communities.” The UIC occupational therapy department partners with the agency to offer our students hands-on learning experiences in its Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research. Further, the Easter Seals occupational therapy staff deliver guest lectures
employment program. This international exchange has also expanded to include faculty and even the community: Recently staff, a participant and a family member from CASP came to Chicago, while staff from our local partner El Valor traveled to Lima.
in the MS program and serve as mentors for a variety
Sweden’s Top OT Programs
of student-learning activities. Our partnership provides
The occupational therapy department has enjoyed
MS and OTD students the opportunity to observe evi-
a long-lasting collaboration with the Karolinska
dence-based practices for students with autism; to partic-
Institute (KI) in Stockholm and Linköping University
ipate in highest-quality fieldwork; and to explore potential
in Norkköping, Sweden. Colleagues from the KI
opportunities for OTD project and practicum experiences.
attended the Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars at UIC and colleagues from Linköping
Access Living The UIC occupational therapy department has a long-standing relationship with Access Living, an internationally respected Center for Independent Living located in Chicago. Faculty members
visited the department to establish new research collaborations. Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar was invited to the KI to participate in the Global Bridges Scholars program, in which she was paired with two postdoctoral scholars working on community-based research projects, and she presented on cultural competence in health professions.
Joy Hammel, Susan Magasi and Mansha Mirza are part-
Global Network to Prevent MS Falls
nering with the organization on multiple research projects
Elizabeth Peterson is among the leading-edge
related to advocacy that supports choice and control by
researchers participating in the International MS
people with disabilities. Access Living is also collaborat-
Fall Prevention Research Network which is com-
ing with several students who are working on dissertation
posed of preeminent researchers from the U.S.,
research for their doctorates in disability studies. Tom
Canada, Ireland, Italy and Sweden. This network is
Wilson, Access Living’s community development organizer
developing joint research proposals to reduce the
for healthcare, has helped to co-teach a doctoral course,
frequency and severity of falls experienced by people
“Participatory Action Research and Disability Policy.”
with multiple sclerosis.
11
Embracing Diversity
Aligned with the mission of the university and the college, our department embraces diversity in our teaching, research and service endeavors.
Fieldwork in Underserved Communities
Urban Allied Health Academy
As of 2014, all MS students complete a Level I fieldwork
Preparing students to work with diverse populations is
experience at a community site serving underserved
integral to the UIC occupational therapy curriculum for
populations. Under faculty supervision, students plan and
every student, but some students desire more. Our
lead group activities at one of five sites serving formerly
college provides an option for students to become fellows
incarcerated adults, women with chronic mental illness,
of its interdisciplinary, extracurricular Urban Allied Health
women and children in transitional living due to domestic
Academy. Fellows complete 45 hours of service-learning
violence, adults with brain injury, or children at risk for
at a site serving a diverse and underserved population—
developmental delays. Our location in Chicago gives
such as the Mary Crane Child Development Center and
our students unique opportunities to learn and grow by
Gigi’s Playhouse—and also participate in book groups,
providing services to populations who otherwise might
current-event discussions, special lectures and more to
never receive them.
examine all aspects of diversity, discrimination, cultural competence and health disparities.
Diversity-Infused Curriculum To prepare students to deliver occupational therapy ser-
Diversity and the Workforce
vices to diverse and multicultural populations, issues of
Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar chaired an AOTA committee
diversity and training in cultural competence are infused
charged with developing recommendations to increase
throughout the MS curriculum via case studies, training
the diversity of the occupational therapy workforce and
workshops, invited speakers and immersion experiences.
promote cultural competence among practitioners. The
Furthermore, students can opt to take an elective course,
recommendations are being implemented by the AOTA
“Race, Culture and Health Disparities.”
Board of Directors.
12
Alumni and Giving
Kielhofner Fund Reaches Endowment Level Following the 2010 passing of professor and department head Gary Kielhofner, the department created the Gary Kielhofner Model of Human Occupation Fund. This year, the fund reached the $25,000 endowment level, allowing an award to be presented in perpetuity. Faculty, students, family members and colleagues contributed to the fund, which will support UIC students, clinicians and faculty who are continuing to research and disseminate MOHO.
Alumni, friends and former faculty provide much needed support for our students and department through their financial gifts as well as by contributing their time and expertise.
Loomis Scholarship in Action
Going the Extra Mile: Alumni Recognition
The Barbara Loomis Scholarship recognizes the contri-
For more than 25 years, alumnae
butions that Barbara Loomis made to the department as
Nancy Richman and Coralie
a long-serving clinician and faculty member, and as the
“Corky” Glantz (back row, with
department head and interim dean in the 1970s and early
Gail Fisher and Barbara Loomis)
’80s. Thanks to her generosity, as well as that of people
have shared their expertise in
who gave to honor her, the scholarship fund will now
long-term care and private
support two students every year. Loomis chose to target
practice with the department.
her scholarship toward students who plan a career in
They have delivered guest lectures, consulted on research
academic or clinical education.
projects, recommended resources to students and faculty, and served as class mentors. Appropriately, they were
Scholarships Benefit Students Generous donations and bequests from alumnae Lillian Torrance, Lois Anderberg Koji, Phyllis Mugge Barlow and
recognized with our college’s AHS Loyalty Award and with the University of Illinois Alumni Association’s Loyalty Award.
Evelyn Alston, as well as former faculty Ruth Hadra and
Alumni Giving
Barbara Loomis and the Illinois Federation of Women’s
Each year, alumni contribute to the department’s Annual
Clubs, make it possible for UIC to award 15 scholarships
Fund, which is used to provide travel scholarships to an
annually. Each scholarship has unique criteria set by the
average of 20 students annually. This affords many students
donor. Recently, our faculty established a new fund with
the transformative experience of attending state and national
their own gifts to help doctoral students afford project and
conferences which helps them see the big picture of the
dissertation costs.
field, resulting in a stronger professional identity.
13
Department of Occupational Therapy 1919 W. Taylor Street (MC 811) Chicago, IL 60612
www.ahs.uic.edu/ot
T. 312.996.3051 F. 312.413.0256 E. otdept@uic.edu
04-14 / 3,000 / jh.design@rcn.com
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO