Drake University Pi Theta Epsilon

This week we had our faculty cook-off! ✨💙
Congratulations Dr. Rognes on your winning dish! 🎊

PTE members had a great time learning from various OT’s and representing Drake at IOTA conference today! ✨

Happy World OT Day!!

Parkinson’s Optimism Walk 2025 ✔️

Our members had a great time volunteering at the Iowa State Fair for Sensory Friendly Morning! ✨

✨ Sunday Spotlight: Jillian Wood ✨

This fall Jillian will be starting a year-long fellowship in the NICU at UNC in Chapel Hill. This was an honor as she was the only OT fellow accepted to the program, and it is the very first year of the OT program in the NICU there. The fellowship consists of clinical hours and continued learning through courses, mentorship, and research.

My biggest piece of advice to OT students would be to go all in — challenge yourself to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Nobody expects you to know everything, but they do expect you to be eager to learn, try your best, and ask questions when you have them! The more I leaned into my student role and stopped being afraid, the more I learned. You got this!!

✨ Sunday Spotlight: Hannah Cole ✨

Hannah is just beginning her role as a pediatric occupational therapist at Kids Lead in Clive, Iowa. Kids Lead is a neurodiversity affirming and floor time therapy practice.

“My biggest piece of advice for OT students: trust yourself.
You’re going to spend three years (or more) immersed in textbooks, lectures, labs, clinicals, and late-night study sessions. You’ll question yourself, compare yourself, and wonder if you’re doing it “right.” But through all of it, you’re building a solid foundation—one that prepares you to step confidently into the world as an occupational therapist.
When you graduate, pass your boards, and land your first job, it might still feel intimidating. That’s normal. You might feel like you’re not ready or like you need someone else to validate that you’re doing things the “correct” way. But here’s the truth: you are more ready than you think.
The knowledge, the critical thinking, the compassion, the clinical reasoning, it’s all in you. You’ve worked hard for this. So, when imposter syndrome creeps in (and it likely will), remind yourself: You belong here. You know what you’re doing.” 💙

Have extra shoes?? Put them to good use!

Join us in the 2025 St. Cates Challenge by donating used closed-toe, lace up shoes 👟 💙

📍 drop off: Drake OT building

Through promoting research, scholarly activities, and service, we aim to strengthen the future of our profession and empower each other to create meaningful change in the lives of those we serve 🤍

Introducing the 2025-26 Executive Team ✨

President: Taylor Bohannon
Vice President: Kayla Jack
Secretary: Amanda Miller
Treasurer: Melanie Hipsher