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Occupational Therapy

Published on Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Published on August 19, 2015
MOT program receives full reaccreditation
On April 28-30, 2014, the Master of Occupational Therapy Program participated in a reaccreditation site visit by three evaluators from the Accreditation Council on Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).The visit was very successful - the site team found the program in full compliance with all of the required ACOTE educational standards, and the program received a full 10-year reaccreditation.

OT student Ashley Harlan, right, teaches medical student Alex Hampton how to read a BMI.
OT student Ashley Harlan, right, teaches medical student Alex Hampton how to read a BMI.

OT students train M1s in health advocacy
In early January, 10 third-year OT students assisted with UMMC's Community Health Advocacy Training check-offs.

OT students trained the first-year medical students on how to obtain a blood glucose sample, how to read blood glucose levels and how to establish an individual's body mass index (BMI), which can help the participant understand the impact of diabetes and obesity in the state. In all, 125 medical students were checked off.

OT student Sydney Sisson, right, gauges the height of medical student Haley Houghton at the BMI station.
OT student Sydney Sisson, right, gauges the height of medical student Haley Houghton at the BMI station.

A third-year community practice course requires OT students to be trained as community health advocates, which led to this interprofessional opportunity between OT and the medical school.

OT faculty said they were thrilled that their students, under the direction of Penny Rogers (B.S., Occupational Therapy '95), assistant professor of OT, have had the opportunity to train first-year medical students.

OT helps provide free rehab services at JFC
Every weekend, under the direction of licensed therapists, OT students partner with physical therapy students to provide rehabilitation services at the Jackson Free Clinic.

OT faculty consider the arrangement an exciting opportunity for students to have engaging learning experiences in a real-world setting.

OT volunteers from the community are needed. For more information about volunteering OT services at the Jackson Free Clinic, email Carol Tubbs at ctubbs@umc.edu or Robin Parish at rparish@umc.edu.

Alumni SpOTlight: benevolent models
Glenda Hux, OT Class of 2001 - As MSOTA president-elect, Hux is a role model for giving through service to her profession.

Undrea Nash, OT Class of 1999 - As a financial donor to UMMC's OT Alumni Fund, Nash is a role model for giving funds to allow the purchase of needed equipment for OT teaching labs.

Rogers
Rogers

Faculty Accomplishments
Penny Rogers, assistant professor of occupational therapy, was recognized by the Mississippi Legislature during its annual Higher Education Appreciation Day.

One faculty honoree is selected from each of the 34 public- and private-member institutions of the Mississippi Association of Colleges to participate in the activities.






Taylor
Taylor

Tonia Taylor, assistant professor of occupational therapy, was selected as the 2013-14 Teacher of the Year for the School of Health Related Professions.

The Teacher of the Year Award is given annually to the SHRP faculty member who is judged by the students of the school to be the most outstanding teacher.




 

Morgan
Morgan

Christy Morgan, B.S., Occupational Therapy '96; Ph.D., Clinical Health Sciences '09) associate professor of occupational therapy, was recently recognized as a 2014 Mississippi College Distinguished Alumna for outstanding achievement in her chosen field. 

Morgan was formally honored at an awards ceremony during Mississippi College's homecoming festivities. Morgan was also recognized as the 2014 SHRP Alumni of the Year.



About the program
The occupational therapy master's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).