Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

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  Let's Get Connected (LCG)

  Delaney J. Boyd

  The Let’s Get Connected (LGC) doctoral capstone project aimed to improve the social skills of primary school students through program development, education, and clinical intervention in order to encourage a more inclusive environment in the school. Regarding program development, LGC incorporated universal OT services during recess for all second grade students to socialize as a class. During the “All-In Recess” portion of the program, social emotional skills were taught through games that encouraged students to socialize and include all of their peers. The second tier included “Breakfast Bunch and Lunch Bunch”, which consisted of small social participation groups held during the breakfast and lunch periods for students who were at risk of experiencing difficulties with socializing with their peers. Students who participated in this group learned sensory and emotional regulation strategies and practiced social skills with their peers. The third tier involved working with students in a specialized classroom to run a snack cart in order to work on social participation skills. Working together to prepare and provide snacks to teachers helped these students to practice various social skills. Teacher education on sensory integration’s effect on social participation and specific sensory strategies that teachers can implement was provided to teachers via a didactic presentation. OT services focussed on social participation were also provided to students on the site mentor’s OT caseload. OT’s distinct value was evident in the Let’s Get Connected doctoral capstone project which empowered student social participation in an inclusive format in the public school sector.

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  A Parent's Guide to Success

  Marina D. Bucciarelli

  A Parent’s Guide to Success, a doctoral capstone project, explored occupational therapy’s (OT) role in family-centered practice (FCP). The project focused on areas of education, advocacy, and program development which were informed by the completion of a scoping review. This capstone project was developed as a primary prevention resource for parents and caregivers of children from birth to three years. It was designed to prepare, inform, and support new parents and caregivers with educational videos and resources that depict the skills, knowledge, and support needed for optimized family outcomes. Education was also a valuable aspect of this project as the capstone student ran two educational workshops, to share information with occupational therapy students interested in child development and family centered practice. The deliverables of this doctoral capstone project include 15 free educational videos with several resources for parents and caregivers, which are housed for public viewing on the Misericordia University website. Advocacy efforts empowered the translation of knowledge to community partners, who in turn spread the knowledge to their clients. The pressing need for additional research and professional documents defining OT’s distinct value in empowering families through FCP have been observed as a major outcome for the doctoral capstone student. This project was able to support parents and caregivers through guidance in the developmental process of their young children.

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  The Phenomenon of Sports as an Occupation

  Christopher G. Cercone

  The “Phenomenon of Sports as an Occupation” is a mixed-methods, survey and interview-based research study that examines the impact of sports participation on occupational performance, identity, and routines. Findings highlight the value of recognizing sports in occupational therapy and may guide future practice and professional development. The study involved three groups of participants, including college athletes, occupational therapy practitioners, and adults involved in sports activities. Each group completed different surveys based on what sports mean to them and how sports have influenced their lives. Occupational therapy practitioners were asked about their feelings regarding increased involvement in sports rehabilitation. An interview portion of the study was used to gain deeper insight into how sports serve as a meaningful occupation for many people and play a significant role in their livelihoods. From the qualitative data collected from both interviews and surveys, it is evident that sports play a key role in many individuals’ time management skills, identity, social connection, relationship building, daily routine, and physical and mental health. Based on the results of the study, it is evident that many individuals have a passion for sports and consider them a central part of their lives.

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  Caregiver Resources for Aging with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (RAIDD)

  Lena M. Conway

  Caregivers of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are essential in supporting health, well-being, and aging in place; however, they are often overlooked in policy and occupational therapy (OT) practice. Caregivers frequently experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression, physical fatigue, and social marginalization. Adults with IDD face disproportionately high rates of chronic disease and mental health conditions, and despite the development of resources to support this population, caregivers report barriers to locating, understanding, and utilizing these assets. A scoping review was conducted to determine and explore the needs of caregivers and the systemic challenges they face, including fragmented services, discrimination, and the lack of accessible resources. Findings confirmed the need for occupation-centered interventions that promote health, inclusion, and dignity for caregivers and individuals with IDD. The Caregiver AIDS Capstone Project, focused on addressing the complex needs of caregivers supporting adults and older adults with IDD. A central component of the project was the development of a free, digitally accessible booklet, which provides clear and practical information on future planning, transitioning out of the education system, social and recreational opportunities, financial resources, relationships and intimacy, and housing options. Additionally, a community resource fair was held in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to connect caregivers with local services to better prepare them for the future. Feedback on both the booklet and resource fair were positive, highlighting the value of the information provided and connections created. OT is uniquely positioned to address these caregiver challenges through advocacy, caregiver education, and community-based interventions that promote engagement in meaningful occupations.

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  Promoting Caregiver-Child Attunement: Social Emotional Wellness Through Yoga

  Gianna R. Delfino

  This doctoral capstone program, Social-Emotional Wellness Through Yoga: Promoting Caregiver-Child Attunement, aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a family-centered occupational therapy (OT) program designed to enhance emotional connection, co-regulation, and wellness in caregiver-child dyads at a pediatric outpatient clinic. This project was guided by a systematic review of literature on the effects of yoga on the mental health of children 3-10 years old, which suggests that yoga has positive outcomes on the mental health and wellbeing of children (Khunti et al., 2022). Grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-based care, the 10-week group was designed for children ages 3–11 and their caregivers. Sessions incorporated sensory-inclusive yoga, mindfulness games, and attunement-based discussion to support social-emotional development, mutual understanding, and relational trust. Parent and child attendees reported implementing strategies learned within the program to their home and felt they had increased their emotional connection, awareness of their child’s cues, and confidence in co-regulation after participating in this 10-week group. It was noted that the flexible, child-led, and sensory-safe structure were key aspects of this program. A two-part workshop for occupational therapy students at a local university and development of a clinician resource binder supported the project’s educational and advocacy goals. Advocacy efforts also included the creation of user-friendly handouts, visual tools, and outreach materials promoting neurodiversity-affirming care. This capstone project demonstrated that the Social Emotional Wellness Through Yoga: Promoting Caregiver-Child Attunement, a family-centered yoga program, was a meaningful experience focused on caregiver-child relationships and emotional wellness for those that attended.

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  Allstar Abilities Sports Camp: A Community-Based Sports Program for Children with Disabilities

  Kolby D. Engel

  The focus of this Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) was creating the Allstar Abilities: Sports Camp to provide children with disabilities with the opportunity and environment to participate in team sports and sports activities. Within the local community surrounding Misericordia University there are few opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in these kinds of activities. This creates an occupational injustice for this population. Through research and needs assessments it was found that only sports such as baseball and basketball were locally available for this population to safely participate in. The Allstar Abilities: Sports Camp was then created to fill this void in the community and provide this service to this specific population. The program was developed using an occupational therapy lens to give it the appropriate session structure to meet the camp members needs and encourage participation during each session. The goal of this program is to provide children with disabilities with a safe, inclusive, appropriate, and structured environment to participate in various sports activities. The Allstar Abilities: Sports Camp implemented a client-centered approach to teaching children about different sports and how to complete the basic skills while meeting their specific needs throughout the session. Individual assessments were completed with the camp members and their families to determine their current needs and interests related to occupational engagement in sports. To assist the program leader during sessions, student volunteers were recruited from Misericordia University’s healthcare majors and athletic programs. The volunteers completed three in-depth training sessions which better prepared them for the camp sessions and allowed them to provide guided assistance as needed for each camp member. This multifaceted and inclusive program promoted the appropriate environment, session structure, and client-centered assistance during each session to fill this gap within the community.

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  Holistic Health: A Psychosocial Health and Wellness Program for College Students

  Elizabeth C. Fasti

  The Holistic Health program is a doctoral capstone quality improvement project that aims to increase the quality of life (QoL) and well-being for higher education students and increase staff and faculty knowledge of college students' mental health. Driven through education and program development, the program includes four key action plans. The first action plan was an in-person mindfulness-based program for college students. The second action plan includes a proposal for environmental adaptations to foster a safe and supportive campus environment for students. The third action plan includes expanding ready-to-use wellness and mindfulness resources for higher education students. The fourth and final action plan includes comprehensive education for staff and faculty on the impacts of college students' mental health, as well as evidence-based strategies to help lessen the negative impacts of mental health both inside and outside of the classroom. To further guide this doctoral capstone project, a scoping review was conducted to examine the impacts of mindfulness-based interventions on higher education students. The review also explored the role of occupational therapy (OT) in using these interventions to support students' functioning and overall well-being. Overall, results from the evaluation measures displayed positive outcomes in improving students' ability to manage stress and anxiety, be more mindful individuals, and gain confidence in themselves to cope with everyday stressors to support daily functioning. Holistic Health aligns with evidence-based literature and the needs of the higher education communities, while defining roles in which OT can play a unique part in improving the well-being of higher education settings.

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  Meaning Within the Lines

  Melody Kneller

  “Meaning Within the Lines” was a doctoral capstone project developed to improve children’s handwriting through program development, education, and advocacy. Through an occupational therapy handwriting program at Misericordia University, local children struggling with handwriting received pro-bono occupational therapy services that improved their overall handwriting skills, using the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum and manipulatives. This project also advanced the knowledge of undergraduate occupational therapy students' through observation of OT sessions. Education workshop opportunities increased underclassman knowledge in handwriting development and provided resources that they can use for their future practice. Advocacy efforts to educate area school district personnel was completed to empower OT practitioners' role in the best practices of handwriting remediation in the 21st century. Implementation and planning of an OT clinical outpatient services was experiential and enhanced the project developer’s knowledge of the business aspect of clinical services. “Meaning Within the Lines” made an impact on the community by providing free occupational therapy services in an area with limited opportunities for OT services outside of the public school environment. This doctoral capstone project impacted the occupational therapy profession by increasing the community’s awareness of the occupational therapy profession’s role in handwriting remediation and enhancing the knowledge of effective handwriting strategies that can be used in various contexts.

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  The Sensational Students Sensory Program

  Ashlie Kohr

  The Sensational Students Sensory Program focused on the areas of program development, clinical skills, and education. It was developed and implemented for Dallas Area School District to empower students' knowledge about their emotions and how their body feels when they experience certain emotions. Resources and tools were developed for students to use as self-regulation strategies. The students had the opportunity to participate in group sessions with peers to create sensory tools to build a sensory toolbox they could use during the school day to help with self-regulation. The goal was to help these students better understand their emotions and how self-regulation would impact their ability to focus and be attentive to instruction for improved participation and academic performance in the classroom environment. The sensory rooms in the schools were also restructured and reorganized to be more effective and efficiently used when students would come in for self-regulation opportunities throughout the school day. Sensory diets were specifically created for each student to guide them through the proper use of the sensory rooms. Educational training sessions were also provided to the students’ aides regarding the purpose of the sensory room and the safe and proper way to engage with the sensory equipment. The Sensational Students Sensory Program identified the distinct value of Occupational Therapy in assisting primary level students in their journey of sensory regulation strategies to profoundly impact their academic progression in a public-school setting.

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  Parkinson’s Optimal Wellness and Educational Resource (POWER) Project

  Christina McFadden

  By 2030, over 1.3 million adults in the U.S. are predicted to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), with Pennsylvania exhibiting a notably high incidence (Parkinson’s Foundation, 2023; Willis et al., 2022). Despite this prevalence, non-specialist clinicians, policymakers, and the public generally remain poorly informed in adequately supporting PD (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). There is a gap within the literature regarding occupational therapy’s (OT) role in community-based PD programming in the U.S. The Parkinson’s Optimal Wellness and Educational Resource (POWER) Project addresses this through a tertiary health approach as identified in the WHO’s Parkinson’s technical brief (2022). Informed by global data, best practices, and local needs assessment, the project was designed as a multifaceted community-based initiative. The POWER Project expands access to PD-specific rehabilitative treatment and fosters collaborative, interprofessional education for allied-health students and community partners. The capstone uses three interconnected domains- clinical practice, education, and advocacy- to enhance client care, professional education, and community support. Clinically, this reflects the various supports and barriers to implementing an interdisciplinary LSVT BIG program in partnership with a university, leveraging academic-community collaboration. Educational and advocacy efforts focus on integrating public outreach with PD-specific organizations to grow confidence in skilled workforce training and overall access to community supports. The POWER Project draws attention to OT’s role in bridging clinical practice, education, and advocacy to enhance outcomes for community-dwelling individuals affected by PD.

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  Know More Falling: Community-Based Fall Prevention

  Edward R. McWithey

  The aging population is expected to grow to 2 billion worldwide by 2050 (Rosado et al., 2021). Aging is classified as a determinant risk factor for falls and fall-related injuries (Rosado et al., 2021). This capstone project aimed to promote understanding and address fall prevention in the older adult population with multiple stakeholders throughout the Dallas, Pennsylvania community. Project goals included developing community partnerships, providing education and addressing wellness and health equity among community-dwelling older adults through multifaceted interventions. The literature search yielded a synthesis and analysis of current evidence focused on community-based fall programming, adding to the body of OT literature and supporting the development of a unique multimodal capstone. A focus on quality improvement ensured measurement of client outcomes to assess the value and sustainability of the program. The methods for the fall prevention program included group education and occupation-based exercises focusing on strength and balance for the purpose of preventing falls in their daily occupations. The outcome measures included a pre/post test of the Senior Fitness Test, Falls Efficacy Scale International, author-created formative and summative evaluations, and a modified version of the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale. Additionally, a collaborative interprofessional education event was offered to health-allied students among partnering universities to support continuing education for allied health students. The Interprofessional Attitudes Scale was modified and used as a pre/post test outcome measure for this capstone component. Disciplines represented included physical therapy, social work, speech language pathology, pharmacy, and sonography. The educational event supported student learning across themes of teamwork roles and responsibilities, patient centeredness, interprofessional biases, diversity and ethics, community centeredness. Attendees will learn about the development and implementation of the entry-level doctoral capstone and the resulting outcomes, explore the components of developing an entry-level doctoral capstone project and verbalize the benefits of interprofessional education in preparing students to meet the needs of older adults.

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  Explore Your Future

  Faith M. Merritt

  Explore Your Future, a doctoral capstone project, was developed to aid the development and learning of low socioeconomic status (SES) children attending the McGlynn Center. This project focused on career readiness, addressing community concerns by providing resources on career possibilities, educational pathways, and skills training. A scoping review revealed gaps in research on interventions improving career readiness in low SES children, with limited studies identified across seven databases. Early intervention is proven to enhance career exploration, social-emotional outcomes, social awareness, academic performance, and vocational identity (Howard & Ferrari, 2022). Improvements in self concept, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, and confidence were observed with life and prevocational skills coaching (Underwood et al., 2023). Strengthening these areas improves professional environments; ability to navigate social and educational settings effectively; and understanding of strengths, interests, and values. Literature reports the need for education on alternative pathways to success, beside higher education, increasing opportunities and allowing for informed future decisions (Lindstrom et al., 2020). Through an OT lens, the project provided education, hands-on experiences, reflection tools, and handouts for future reference. Children who participated in additional programs of life skill readiness demonstrated increased career readiness skills, knowledge of careers, understanding of job requirements and pathways, and developing career aspirations. To support long term implementation, the site was provided with resources and evidence-based programming. Based on knowledge gained through the implementation of this capstone, education was also provided during a two-part workshop with Misericordia OTSs to enhance knowledge of the importance of this emerging area of practice.

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  Preventing Diabetes in At-Risk Youth

  Abrielle Milling

  A unique diabetes prevention program was developed by an OT doctoral candidate to run in a non-traditional format in a school-based setting. The implementation of this program aimed to enhance students' understanding of diabetes through occupation-based interventions and health education. The program was conducted with 8th-grade students and focused on developmental skills suitable for this age level. The program utilized hands-on activities to enhance participation and promote carryover. Diabetes prevention has become an increasing area of health promotion as the condition continues to pose challenges within the adolescent population, becoming an emerging health problem. This incurable chronic disease has many long-term adverse effects on the lifespan (Shen, X., & Shen, X., 2019). The role of OT in this area is to provide “intervention intended to promote health, well-being, and participation” (AOTA, 2020, p.24). OT’s scope of practice was utilized at the group and population levels to enhance the health and well-being of those participating. OT's distinct value was used through the provision of education, preventive strategies, health promotion strategies, maintenance techniques, and environmental adaptations to support individuals at risk of developing diabetes. These areas were addressed through meaningful activities, and everyday tasks and habits were utilized to create positive changes. The program demonstrated great success as student outcomes indicated that 94% of participants identified a nutritious meal to support learning, 82% of participants correctly identified high blood sugar as a risk factor, and over 95% of students identified the importance of exercise in preventing diabetes.

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  Promoting Optimal Pediatric Development

  Rachel N. Mills

  This quality improvement capstone project embodied a multifaceted approach to supporting the infant and early childhood populations at a local pediatric outpatient clinic. The capstone project endeavors were guided by the theoretical underpinnings of the literature and results of in-depth needs assessments. The themes that emerged from the systematic review of the literature, which involved the efficacy of parent education programs in increasing parental knowledge and competence in supporting their child's physical and emotional development, were seamlessly integrated into the program. Evidence-based practice, principles of early intervention, and preventative care were used at the clinic to support infant and early childhood development, facilitate caregiver education and training, and connect families to community resources at the local pediatric outpatient clinic. Advanced, family-centered clinical treatments such as infant massage, infant bodywork, infant communication, sleep promotion, feeding therapy, and positioning and handling were implemented to promote pediatric development at the clinic. The primary focus of advocating for and supporting the needs of the infant-maternal and paternal population were also shaped by current barriers to care and deficits in parent education opportunities. Therefore, this capstone project maintained a strong emphasis on clinical practice skills, program development, advocacy, and education to optimize pediatric development at a local pediatric outpatient clinic.

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  A Guide to Sexual Intimacy Following Spinal Cord Injury

  Jillian M. Olenick

  A Guide to Sexual Intimacy Following Spinal Cord Injury is a two-part manual that was created to increase the knowledge related to how sex can be impacted following a spinal cord injury. The first manual was created as a guide for individuals with spinal cord injuries and their partners to enhance their knowledge on how their spinal cord injury may impact their sexual functioning. The second manual was created as a guide for occupational therapy practitioners to use as a resource when addressing sex with their clients following a spinal cord injury. Each manual provides information related to sexual intimacy, sexual relationships, sexual intercourse, sex toys, positioning devices, women’s sexual health, and men’s sexual health. All of these areas of sexual functioning can be impacted following a spinal cord injury. Each section is meant to provide information on how these areas can be addressed to improve an individual’s overall sexual functioning in these specific areas. Occupational therapy practitioners can address sex and sexual intimacy with their clients because it falls under the occupation of activities of daily living (ADLs). Sex and sexual intimacy, being considered an ADL, allows occupational therapy practitioners the opportunity to address all aspects of sex and sexual intimacy to promote an individual’s participation in their ADLs, enhance sexual satisfaction, and improve their overall quality of life. By addressing this often overlooked daily activity, occupational therapy practitioners can ensure they are keeping their sessions occupation-focused and client-centered.

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  Adjusting Your L.E.N.S: Learn and Educate with Neurodiverse Students

  Jenna Potter

  This doctoral capstone project, Adjusting Your L.E.N.S: Learn & Educate with Neurodiverse Students, focused on how occupational therapy (OT) can play a unique role in contributing to an inclusive postsecondary higher education (IPSE) program at a local university. This capstone project focused on supporting faculty, staff, and peer academic coaches, developing a transition camp for high school students, and enhancing the university’s current IPSE program to ensure that students with intellectual disability and autism can access higher education and learn within an inclusive and supportive setting. A faculty, staff, and academic coach training program was implemented to equip participants with the competence to better understand the neurodivergent population as well as the confidence to best support the students they work with. After participating in these training programs, attendees reported high satisfaction with relevance of content and perceived ability to apply inclusive strategies as well measurable gains in knowledge related to neurodiversity and student support. Two IPSE courses were revised and one was implemented utilizing universal design for learning and neurodiversity affirming frameworks. Transition camps and parent training focused on enhancing high school students’ with disabilities skills to be successful in a college environment were implemented. Attendees reported increased confidence in navigating college settings. Lastly, the capstone student completed a mixed methods research study on OT's role in inclusive higher education. Results from OT educators indicate that their unique domain of knowledge fosters the opportunity for numerous roles and interprofessional collaboration within the IPSE setting.

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  PromOTing MU

  Christina A. Reilley

  Despite the broad scope of occupational therapy and its significant impact on patients' lives, the profession requires a strategic marketing plan to raise awareness. To address the lack of understanding on a micro level, a comprehensive marketing plan was developed for Misericordia University’s Occupational Therapy Department to align with the current wants and needs of prospective students. Designed as a 14-week doctoral capstone project, PromOTing MU aims to advocate for the profession by showcasing the experiences of current MUOT students. The cliff of OT programs expanding while application numbers decline is a prevalent issue addressed in PromOTing MU, which targets prospective students to broaden the outreach of OT. This was accomplished through the creation of OT-related content, such as videos, graphics, and student spotlights, that were shared on social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and the MUOT website. All content was curated and provided to the department for marketing purposes. To ensure sustainability, an MUOT Marketing Style Guide was created in simple terms to help the MUOT department utilize and benefit from it. The Guide outlines branding guidelines to comply with Misericordia University’s branding style, including logos, identity graphics, color palette, typography, social media guidelines, best design practices, and templates. This ensures all MUOT content and marketing materials align with the university’s branding while remaining inclusive and accessible for all to use and benefit from. PromOTing MU is not only applicable to academia and individual programs but can also be modified for any clinical or personal OT brand. All practitioners should advocate and market themselves, whether through social media, digital content, or everyday conversations. This project highlights the importance of accessible and creative outreach for individual and professional growth among OT practitioners, enabling the profession to continue evolving and positively impacting lives.

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  Death and Dying Across the Lifespan

  Paige Sala

  Death and Dying Across The Lifespan centers on the creation of three interdisciplinary educational courses focused on end-of-life care for three distinct age groups: geriatrics, adults, and pediatrics. The courses aim to improve undergraduate students’ competence in addressing death and dying with patients, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals within the team. The courses were developed in response to growing evidence that supports the need for education on death, dying, and caring for individuals at the end of life. Many students are not adequately exposed to these topics in current curricula, despite the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in this area of practice. Students are left feeling underprepared and unsure of how to proceed when working with a patient or family of someone who is dying. Students are not always exposed to death and dying in curriculum and this is an area of practice where interdisciplinary practice is very important. Constructivism is a learning theory that focuses on the active learner using their current knowledge and new information to create their own understanding. Based on the educational theory of constructivism, the curriculum integrates case-based learning, reflective practice, and collaborative activities to encourage deeper student engagement and application of knowledge. These courses address a significant educational gap and serve as a foundation for preparing future professionals to approach end-of-life care with empathy, clarity, and confidence across the lifespan. The outcome is a set of adaptable, multidisciplinary courses that promote compassionate and person-centered care for all disciplines and promotes interdisciplinary understanding of various roles within this practice area.

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  Students Obtaining Tools to Achieve Regulation (SOAR)

  Lacey D. Sanguinito

  Students Obtaining Tools to Achieve Regulation (SOAR) is a doctoral capstone project that addressed the need for integrated social emotional learning (SEL) in elementary education. SEL is an evidence-based approach shown to improve academic outcomes, behavior, and long-term life success, yet implementation barriers remain in school settings. This project aimed to enhance student regulation, classroom engagement, and teacher confidence in SEL techniques through a multi-tiered approach. A scoping review of SEL literature identified the implementation methods and barriers to SEL curricula in elementary education, which informed the development of SOAR. SOAR consisted of (a) a 20-session, movement-based SEL curriculum targeting self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness for kindergarten through fifth grade students; (b) a comprehensive SEL manual for staff; and (c) classroom self-regulation bins for in-the-moment support. Knowledge translation efforts also extended to occupational therapy students at Misericordia University. Preliminary outcomes indicated improved student SEL skills across all grades, particularly in regard to student emotional regulation skills and emotional vocabulary. These findings suggest that movement-based SEL programming created by occupational therapy practitioners may offer a feasible, sustainable model for addressing socioemotional needs and reducing disparities in educational settings. Additionally, the SOAR capstone contributes to the evolving scope of school-based occupational therapy by promoting SEL and emotional regulation as integral components of inclusive, supportive learning environments.

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  The Impact of Moral Injury on Veterans' Occupations

  Sydney Santora

  Occupational therapy has been working with veterans since its origin. Once labeled as shell shock, occupational therapists addressed and continue to address veteran’s mental health, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While PTSD still affects veterans, there is another emerging phenomenon that is affecting veterans called moral injury. Moral injury (MI) is a condition resulting from “perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations” (Litz et al., 2009, p. 697). There is currently limited literature regarding occupational therapy’s treatment of moral injury. This study aimed to fill the gaps in literature by researching the impact of moral injury on the occupations of veterans. The research study was a qualitative phenomenological design where veterans with potential moral injury were interviewed to learn about the current impact of MI on their occupational performance. The data was analyzed using a descriptive thematic approach (Sundler et al., 2019). Three themes were identified: enduring in silence, striving for self-efficacy, and decreased engagement in meaningful occupation. While the moral injurious events occurred years earlier, there is still a lasting impact on daily occupations, thus demonstrating a need for occupational therapists to be addressing moral injury. Further research should be completed to identify interventions that can be used for moral injury and how it impacts occupations.

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  Open Doors Rehab: Student-Led Courtesy Occupation-Focused Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic

  Caitlin Scully

  Experiencing a stroke is a life altering event. Effects range from minimal to severe, but nonetheless survivors are put in a position where they need to understand their health and how to move forward (Wolf et. al., 2009). Nagaraja et. al. (2022) draws attention to the issue that survivors who are not eligible for inpatient services are often discharged home with a home exercise program and no clinical or therapy follow- up. This creates a gap in the stroke recovery continuum of care, putting survivors at even more risk for additional health risks and complications. The need for stroke rehabilitative services is crucial, especially related to addressing one’s lifestyle factors, risks for additional strokes, and managing symptoms. Occupational therapy doctoral capstone project, Open Doors Rehab was a courtesy student-led occupation-focused stroke rehabilitation clinic implemented at Misericordia University. Open Doors Rehab served individuals impacted by stroke, utilizing a primary focus of occupation throughout the rehabilitation process. Using the COPM, collaborative and adaptive approaches, and qualitative self-perception, clients identified and prioritized their meaningful occupations, collaborated to increase occupational participation, engaged in client-centered activities, and engaged with occupational therapy students. In addition to the clinic, junior and senior occupational therapy students observed clinic sessions, engaged with clients, practiced their interpersonal skills, and received informational materials and debriefing regarding stroke and documentation best practices. Clients reported an increase in occupational participation and performance because of participation in the program. Student observers reported meaningful benefit from observation experiences and engagement with clients.

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  The Integrated Support Plan for End-of-Life Care (ISP-EoLC)

  Kaitlin R. Sugarman

  The Integrated Support Plan for End-of-Life Care (ISP-EoLC) workbook was developed to address the growing need for structured, occupation-based resources for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) working in end-of-life care. Rooted in evidence-informed practice, this workbook guides OTPs in supporting patients and caregivers through one of life’s most complex transitions. Each chapter of the workbook focuses on a key topic, including early recognition of OT needs, meaningful role participation, iterative interventions, caregiver support, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Designed to be both educational and interactive, the workbook includes patient and caregiver-directed activities that promote communication, reflection, and emotional connection. It also offers practical tools for practitioners, such as evaluation templates, outcome measure guides, and clinical decision-making supports. The workbook’s content is shaped by input from end-of-life care professionals and was developed to align with the values of dignity, autonomy, and holistic well-being. The primary goals of the workbook are to help OTPs incorporate meaningful occupations into end-of-life care, recognize early opportunities for intervention, and increase their confidence in addressing the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of patients and caregivers. The resource is designed for use in various settings, including home care, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, and academic instruction. By promoting client-centered and occupation-based approaches, the workbook contributes to the advancement of the occupational therapy profession in palliative and hospice care. It serves not only as a practical clinical tool, but also as a reflection of the profession’s unique value in preserving quality of life through meaningful engagement at every stage of life.

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  W.O.R.K. Towards Inclusivity in Employment

  Chloe N. Tinklepaugh

  W.O.R.K. Towards Inclusivity in Employment was a doctoral capstone project focused on promoting sustainable employment for neurodiverse individuals. Despite their capabilities, neurodivergent individuals often face barriers to employment due to employers’ misconceptions about their abilities (Bonaccio et al., 2020). This project addressed these challenges through three main components: researching employers’ perspectives, curriculum revision, and educating employers. For research, Luzerne and Lackawanna county employers were surveyed to assess their training, resources, and perspectives on neurodiversity in the workplace. Findings indicated that employers were open to receiving more education and training on how to support their employees, but they currently lack the knowledge and resources to do so. Within this project, the doctoral capstone student revised two Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) courses and the internship curriculum to ensure universal design for learning (UDL) and person-centered principles were within courses to enhance inclusivity among neurodiverse students within the broader university population (Ezeafulukwe et al., 2024).The final component was a five-part Employer Workshop Series aimed at equipping both on-campus and off-campus employers with neuro-affirming best practices. The first three sessions were interactive workshops covering foundational topics such as neurodiversity, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and workplace inclusivity. After completing these sessions, employers received a workplace analysis conducted by the student, assessing job demands and environmental factors, followed by the development and training of tailored job supports (Fong et al., 2021). The employers that attended the workshop reported feeling an increase in confidence and competence in assisting their neurodivergent employees within the workplace.

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  Occupational Therapy in Caregiver Education and Dementia Care

  Sophie Winter

  The doctoral capstone project addresses education on optimal care for individuals with dementia to increase occupational performance and limit excess disability through training sessions with caregivers. The community program created took place at a community memory care adult day program. The bulk of the project focuses on education for caregivers of those with dementia through creating educational handouts, practicing through trainings, and creating personally tailored activities for cognition maintenance and participation. Caregiver manuals were made to address caregiver burnout, education, and competency. The other major part of this capstone was program development assessing the needs of the population and creating a community program to educate formal caregivers and create appropriate activities for the different stages of dementia to participate in. The program addresses specific activity tailoring for individuals with dementia based on their cognition level to increase occupational performance and participation for increased well-being. Advocacy is also implemented on the community level, advocating for the importance of respite care and other services for people living with dementia.

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  Athletes Thriving Health, Resilience, and Inspiration for Victory and Empowerment (THRIVE): A University Athletics Mental Health Program

  Grace E. Yeatman

  Athletes Thriving Health, Resilience, and Inspiration for Victory and Empowerment (THRIVE) is an occupational therapy (OT) doctoral capstone project that was created to address increased rates of mental health concerns as well as significant levels of mental health stigma among university athletes (Johnson, 2022). The goals of this capstone project were to educate and train athletes in mental health and wellness to support healthy engagement in occupations, promote self-advocacy with seeking mental health services, and increase athletic department staff comfortability and capability with addressing athlete mental health. OT programs and interventions with this population are mainly in the context of concussion rehabilitation. There is limited to no evidence in OT mental health prevention programming and interventions for athletes of all age groups. This project exhibits the effectiveness of a holistic mental health and wellness program, created through an OT lens, to promote health at various levels of education and training. The project took place at Misericordia University Athletics and involved education sessions for the athletic department staff, mental health training sessions for specific teams, mental and physical health and wellness sessions for the general athlete population, and the development and distribution of three mental health resource manuals for both the athletic department staff and the athletes. Results of the project showed improved mental health and wellness in the areas of anxiety, social participation, stress management, self-advocacy, sleep health, confidence, and occupational balance among the athlete participants. Results also showed increased competence and confidence among the athletic department in their ability to effectively manage athlete mental health concerns. Many participants expressed the need for a program like this and the value that this specific capstone project had on the athletic department to support university athletes on and off the field.