Central Methodist University - OTA

10/09/2026

This week, our OTA410 class had the opportunity to welcome Kelley Tate, PT, CLT, a Certified Lymphatic Therapist with Mizzou Therapy Services at Ellis Fischel Cancer Rehab, for a guest lecture on lymphedema.

Kelley shared her expertise on lymphedema risk factors, the role of therapy in treatment, Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), and specific manual treatment techniques. She also gave students valuable insight into the training and certification process for becoming a Certified Lymphatic Therapist.

Our students enjoyed learning more about this important specialty area and the role therapy practitioners can play in supporting clients with lymphedema.

Thank you, Kelley, for sharing your time and expertise with our future OT practitioners!

09/30/2026

Our OTA students had a great week in the ADL lab!

They developed treatment sessions to address ADLs, bed mobility, and transfers for patients with cardiopulmonary and orthopedic conditions, while applying sternal and total hip precautions.

Students also incorporated patient and caregiver education, energy conservation techniques, and adaptive equipment training to promote safety, independence, and occupational performance. We are proud of their growing clinical reasoning and hands-on skills!

09/28/2026

Today in Intro to Health Issues and Occupational Performance, our students learned about cardiopulmonary disorders and the importance of monitoring vital signs as part of safe, effective patient care.

Learning to measure and interpret heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation helps future OTA practitioners gain the skills needed to recognize how clients respond to activity, identify early signs of intolerance, and appropriately adjust interventions. These essential clinical skills help students build the judgment, confidence, and competence needed to support individuals with heart and lung conditions in practice.

09/25/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage honest conversations about mental health and su***de. Su***de affects individuals, families, and communities around the world, and talking openly can help save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and for students on CMU campus through the Counseling Center.

09/23/2026

We would like to extend a big thank-you to Citizens Memorial Hospital for speaking with our OTA and PTA students and providing lunch during today’s Health Careers Expo!

Ellis Hall, MPT, MBA, Director of Rehabilitation Services, shared valuable insights about the history of CMH, the populations it serves, and the wide range of rehabilitation settings within the organization, including acute care, skilled nursing, and outpatient facilities.

This experience gave our students a deeper understanding of how healthcare organizations are structured, the vital services they provide to rural communities, the benefits they offer employees, and the opportunities available to students and new practitioners.

09/22/2026

Today, our first-year OTA students were introduced to measuring grip strength using a dynamometer and learned why grip strength is so important to occupational functioning.

Did you know? Grip strength is more than just how strong your hand is — it plays a big role in everyday activities like getting dressed, opening jars, cooking, writing, and carrying items. In occupational therapy, grip strength is an important measure because it can provide insight into a person’s overall muscle strength and general health.

Research also shows that grip strength is linked to mobility, fall risk, bone health, heart health, and even cognitive and mental health. Weak grip strength can sometimes be an early indicator of frailty, disability, or other health concerns. By measuring grip strength over time, occupational therapists can monitor progress and evaluate how well therapy interventions are working.

We’re excited for our students to begin building these important hands-on assessment skills!

09/21/2026

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

First year students and faculty are excited to get OTA school started!

05/13/2026

UPDATED 💠 The fundamental OT process of activity analysis, broken down in a PDF! Contents: Detailed example of 'Making a cup of tea'; editable templates for OTs, OTAs and students to complete an analysis of any occupation. Categories adapted from the American Practice Framework 🌐 Access: theOThub.com/downloads (free with OT+), or via theOThub.com/store