WMU Department of Occupational Therapy

WMU Department of Occupational Therapy Welcome to Western Michigan University's Department of Occupational Therapy official page.

Western Michigan University’s Department of Occupational Therapy is an inclusive community of learners that embraces, respects, and advocates for human diversity. Our Department has a sustained commitment to eliminating disparities in health care and other human services by using dynamic methods to infuse this perspective into curricula, clinical practice, and research. For information about diver

sity and inclusion, please see: www.wmich.edu/students/diversity. For information about the religious observances policy, please see: http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/calendars/interfaith.

01/25/2025

A great interview with WMU OT alum and part-time lecturer, Emily on her school-based practice!

Ready to take your skills as a fieldwork educator to the next level? Join the AOTA Fieldwork Educator Certificate Progra...
01/24/2025

Ready to take your skills as a fieldwork educator to the next level? Join the AOTA Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program Workshop on February 28–March 1, 2024, at Origami Rehabilitation in Mason, MI!

This two-day event, co-instructed by WMU OT's very own Dr. Sara Clark, offers tools, strategies, and up to 15 contact hours to advance your practice and support your students.

See the flyer below for more information, and register by February 14 to secure your spot! https://myaota.aota.org/shop_aota/product/FWOR225

We are thrilled to highlight the incredible work of Amy Wagenfeld, a former WMU OT faculty member. This facility is a te...
01/23/2025

We are thrilled to highlight the incredible work of Amy Wagenfeld, a former WMU OT faculty member. This facility is a testament to Amy's dedication to creating environments that support health, wellness, and inclusion.

Amy Wagenfeld, OTR/L, played a pivotal role in the design and development of the new Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center. Collaborating with colleagues at DLR Group, she contributed her expertise to incorporate an inclusive, sensory-responsive, and nature-based therapeutic design approach. Her work ensured the facility fosters connection with nature, enhances accessibility, and provides innovative services for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Read more: https://ow.ly/GQl450ULpM8

Are you a caregiver or know someone who is? If so, please consider taking a quick 10-minute online questionnaire. Additi...
01/23/2025

Are you a caregiver or know someone who is? If so, please consider taking a quick 10-minute online questionnaire. Additionally, if you are willing and selected to complete a 30min to 1 hour interview (via zoom or in-person), you will receive compensation in the form of a $50 gift card.

More about the study:
Dr. Azalia Gonzalez will be conducting a research study titled "Exploration of Post-Secondary Trauma and Burnout in Caregivers." Alongside co-investigator and OT doctoral student Jade Nguyen. This study is to investigate the intersection of cultural competence, cultural humility, post-secondary trauma, and caregiver burnout. This questionnaire is a part of a broader study that will assess the effectiveness of cultural education modules within the OT doctoral program at Western Michigan University aimed to address current gaps that may exist regarding cultural humility in practicing clinicians. Your participation in this questionnaire will help further understand the impact of post-secondary trauma and caregiver burnout through assessment of your personal experiences including completion of an optional voluntary semi-structured caregiver interview.

Link to the study: https://forms.gle/fNcADBv6PGzBKr7d8
Responses are due by February 15, 2025.

Check out one of our amazing current students, Charles!
01/21/2025

Check out one of our amazing current students, Charles!

Charles Hanks is a current 3rd year OTD student at the Kalamazoo campus. Read below to hear what he had to say about his Level II experience, and how his Level Is at WMU helped to prepare him.

1. What was your first level II experience? What setting and where was it located?
- My first Level II FW experience was at Mary Free Bed and consisted of adults, and some pediatrics patients, with Neuro and Ortho deficits. The setting was outpatient and was in Kalamazoo, MI.
2. What was something you learned at this rotation that was new to you?
- I learned many great lessons at MFB Outpatient. Something new I learned at MFB Outpatient that was new to me was the Lymphedema care and the prevalence it has for OTs in this setting. Providing Lymphedema care is a skillful craft and can be beneficial for OTs who provide this care at their clinic. To provide Lymphedema service you must be certified and after watching my supervisor care for patients, I believe it is well worth getting the certification.
3. How did your level Is set you up for success? What skills did you carry forward?
- I believe Level Is gave me the experience and confidence to meet with people in this setting. My first level I was in Unified clinics adult outpatient. So, it was a very similar experience to my first level II. Some skills I carried over from my level I were conducting screenings and assessments, the occupational profile, and a base knowledge of interventions to implement with this population. I believe the most important skill I took was building rapport with the clients. This was the most impact skill in my opinion, because once rapport was built, everything felt natural and easy.
4. If you had to give anyone considering applying to, or is currently in WMUs OTD/OTA program one piece of advice after having your first level II under your belt, what would it be?
- One piece of advice I would give a current or new OTD/OTA student is, trust yourself. If you are in this profession, then you know, you are in it for the people you will serve. One important lesson I am learning is that when I make the client the priority and build rapport with them, my ex*****on of skills happens naturally. I typically don’t have to worry. I trust my abilities more when I get to know the client and provide an environment that is safe and comforting to them. It’s interesting. When I focus on myself and frantically try to remember a certain assessment or intervention my sessions aren’t as smooth or natural. So, trust in the hard work, studying, and preparation you have done thus far. You already know the information. I believe, once you focus on the client and make them comfortable, OT naturally flows from you.

We are so proud of all that Charles has accomplished during fieldwork! As he continues in his last semester of the program to work on his capstone project, we look forward to witnessing all of the amazing things he and our other OT students are doing. Way to make us OTPROUD, Charles!

01/17/2025
01/07/2025

Exciting news for Michigan OTs! Our friends at Broad River Rehabilitation are hiring for multiple Occupational Therapy positions across the state. Check out the link below and explore these amazing opportunities!

Applications are now open for Mary Free Bed’s neurologic occupational therapy fellowship program for the 2025-2026 year....
01/02/2025

Applications are now open for Mary Free Bed’s neurologic occupational therapy fellowship program for the 2025-2026 year. The program is a wonderful opportunity for post-professional growth in the neurologic rehabilitation setting and new grads are welcome! New to this year is an informational webinar on January 8th, 2025 to learn more about the fellowship! See the flyer below for more details on the webinar, and learn more about the fellowship here: https://www.maryfreebed.com/.../neurologic-occupational.../

12/17/2024

Day 1: Western Michigan University 💜

🎄 Day 1 of our 10 Days of Gratitude! Every day leading up to Christmas, we’ll be highlighting the people, organizations, and partners who make what we do possible.

Starting out our gratitude series with a big thanks to Western Michigan University for hosting the Wheel Run raffle and volunteering in our warehouse.

Your support helps us go further in our mission to empower independence and renew lives. Thank you, WMU! 🎄

Check out one of our incredible level II students, Anna!
12/13/2024

Check out one of our incredible level II students, Anna!

----> We are thrilled to introduce Anna, the 20th professional occupational therapy student to join Rise Therapy & Wellness since our opening in August 2020!

----> Anna is wrapping up her 12th and final week of fieldwork placement next week. Let’s show her some love and send our best wishes as she continues her journey in occupational therapy. Anna has rocked her placement with grace and positivity. She has made a positive impact on our clients, colleagues, and community. We are grateful for her time at Rise and sending her all the well wishes as she continues her journey! ---------

Here's what Anna has to say "
Hi! My name is Anna and I am an OTD student from WMU. I am so excited to be learning and growing as an occupational therapist alongside the Rise team. This is my final level II placement, and after graduation, I hope to continue working with children! Outside of school/work, my favorite occupations include spending time with friends and family, laying in the sunshine, playing pickleball, and kickboxing. I look forward to getting to know you this fall!"

The Michigan Occupational Therapy Association is proud to provide two student scholarships every year- one to an outstan...
12/09/2024

The Michigan Occupational Therapy Association is proud to provide two student scholarships every year- one to an outstanding OT student and the other to an outstanding OTA student. Interested in applying? See the flyer below for more details, and use the link to apply!

https://www.miota.org/annual_scholarship.php

Sharing this job opportunity in Southern California from WMU OT alum Jessica Marfia:Position Title: School Occupational ...
12/04/2024

Sharing this job opportunity in Southern California from WMU OT alum Jessica Marfia:

Position Title: School Occupational Therapist II
Position type: Full time permanent, school-based
Hours: 8-4:30 or 7:30-4 Mon-Fri, 197 days per year
Location: Apple Valley, California
Pay range: $138,798.32 - $156,575.60 Annually
Benefits: Full benefit package including FREE Health and Welfare Benefit Options for Medical, Dental, and Vision, California school pension.

Click the link below for additional information. Contact Jessica Marfia directly at [email protected] for any questions related to the position or the area. She has been there since 2012 and is happy to answer any questions.

https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2022269

Jessica Marfia, OTD, OTR/L
School Occupational Therapist II

California Association of Health and Education Linked Professions

www.cahelp.org

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office acts as an intermediate service agency between the California Department of Education and the 33 school districts in San Bernardino County to help meet the educational needs of all children county-wide. We are committed to working with our s...

11/25/2024

Thank you to all who attended the 2024 Barbara Rider Colloquium.

Thank you to our guests of honor, Dr. Fred Sammons and colloquium's namesake Dr. Barbara Rider for their continued love ...
11/25/2024

Thank you to our guests of honor, Dr. Fred Sammons and colloquium's namesake Dr. Barbara Rider for their continued love and support for the WMU OT program.

Thank you to Sandra Edwards and Barb Hemphill for continuously supporting WMU OT students through scholarship opportunit...
11/25/2024

Thank you to Sandra Edwards and Barb Hemphill for continuously supporting WMU OT students through scholarship opportunities.

The WMU Department of Occupational Therapy thanks our panel of Veterans for taking the time to share their stories and f...
11/25/2024

The WMU Department of Occupational Therapy thanks our panel of Veterans for taking the time to share their stories and for their service.

Our amazing panel of Veterans, Billy Clayton, First Sergeant, US Army, Matt Crummel, Master Sergeant, US Air Force, Juan...
11/25/2024

Our amazing panel of Veterans, Billy Clayton, First Sergeant, US Army, Matt Crummel, Master Sergeant, US Air Force, Juan Gonzalez, Master Sergeant, MI ANG/US Air Force, Chanah Osborne, Sergeant, US Marine Corps, and Michele Pascoe, US Navy, used their voices to advocate for enhancing OT services and care for Veterans using their experiences.

Address

1903 W Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI
49008

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12693877260

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wmu-occupational-therapy/

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