Valparaiso University Occupational Therapy

Each Friday, our OT Valpo students share meaningful occupations to spread awareness of the power of occupation and the role of OT practitioners.

"The occupation that I took place in today was building legos. This leisure activity allows
me to clear my mind and focus on the colorful pieces in front of me"!

Occupational therapy students are staying active this summer in Occupational Therapy Practice in Rehabilitation through their Therapeutic Exercise Group assignment! ☀️💪

From yoga and tai chi to HIIT and strengthening exercises, each group designs and leads an exercise session, then adapts it for a specific diagnosis such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or Parkinson’s disease. Students practice grading activities, modifying environments, and applying clinical reasoning in real time.

Hands-on learning, creative problem-solving, and occupational therapy in action! ✨

Class of 2028 students, Logan Sivak and Hala Haddad, presented a peer-reviewed research article on Computer Workstation Ergonomics for a student-led journal club through the American Society of Hand Therapists. Special thanks to for the opportunity!

Find the article at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.04.002

Each Friday, our OT Valpo students share meaningful occupations to spread awareness of the power of occupation and the role of OT practitioners.

"Painting by number might look simple, but it uses a wide range of body functions and skills! I had to focus my attention, coordinate my hands and eyes, and keep my posture steady while painting each section. My fingers, wrists, and shoulders were constantly moving to control the brush. I also used memory and sequencing to match colors to numbers. It challenged my visual perception, fine motor control, and even emotional regulation when I made mistakes or felt proud of the result. A great example of how leisure activities can support occupational performance"!

For Therapist Crush Thursday, we want to give a special thank you to all our hand therapy colleagues who have been guest speakers for our students over the past three years. Special shoutout to the following:

Olesya Klocek, MOT, OTR/L, CHT
Bob Westphal, OTR/L, CHT
John Rose, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Danielle Sparks, DHS, MOT, OTR, CHT, Current President of ASHT
Dr. Megan Albright, OTD, MS, OTR, CHT
Claire Kaczanowski, OTR/L
(Not pictured) Case Peters, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CSCS

For Day 3 of ASHT Hand Therapy Week, our first-year students tested their handwriting between their dominant and non-dominant hands. Comment below with who you think had the most similar results between their right and left hands!

Our first year OTD students are proudly celebrating Hand Therapy Week! Day one included photos of “Hands at Work” in their OT Practice in Rehab class as well as a much needed lunch break for a special feature of “Hands at Lunch.” Day 2, or Texture Tuesday, involved students learning about different textures used in hand therapy.

Our first year OTD students are proudly celebrating Hand Therapy Week! Day one included photos of "Hands at Work" in their OT Practice in Rehab class as well as a much needed lunch break for a special feature of "Hands at Lunch." Day 2, or Texture Tuesday, involved students learning about different textures used in hand therapy.

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who serve our country. 🇺🇸

As occupational therapy practitioners, we are especially grateful for the opportunity to serve and support veterans, service members, and their families through compassion, advocacy, and meaningful care.

Today, we remember those who gave everything for the freedoms we enjoy every day. ❤️🤍💙

Kicking off graduation weekend!

Today, we celebrate our inaugural OT cohort, Maria Camacho and Peyton Throw, defending their capstones and presenting their work! This inaugural class has truly paved the way for OT Valpo, and we know they’ll carry forward our threads of service, community engagement, scholarship, and leadership in their careers.

Tonight, they’ll be honored at the College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP) recognition ceremony, and tomorrow, they graduate! We are so proud of them and know they’ll be amazing OT practitioners!