Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Empowering Mothers: Addressing Postpartum Depression In The Nicu Through Occupational Therapy, Maggie Cloyd

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) addressed the elevated risk of postpartum depression (PPD) among mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Completed at Norton Women’’s and Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY, the project focused on leadership and advocacy, aiming to raise awareness of maternal mental health, highlight occupational therapy’s role, and create educational infographics for both NICU mothers and staff.A needs assessment was conducted through informal staff discussions, observation, and an anonymous survey distributed to NICU mothers. Mothers reported emotional distress, guilt, isolation, and limited involvement in infant care. Research supports that NICU …

In-Depth Exploration Of Ot In An Alf, Madison J. Jones

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My Capstone project focused on occupational therapy’s role in maintaining independence for individuals living in an assisted living facility (ALF) through advocacy, education, and hands-on experience. My goal throughout the project was to reach out to friends, family, and residents living in this retirement community to inform them about OT and the role OT can have to maintain their independence through physical activities, cognitive activities, and meaningful occupations. Different education and advocacy events were created and completed during the project to reach out to the residents and staff members about therapeutic services offered to support aging in place. My Capstone …

Building Clinical Expertise: An Occupational Therapy Student-Centered Guide To Foundational Orthotic Fabrication Concepts And Splint Patterns, Belinda Cheng

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this doctoral capstone was to support student learning in hand therapy by developing a student-centered educational guidebook that introduces fundamental orthotic fabrication concepts and provides visual splint pattern tutorials in an accessible and comprehensive format. Splint pattern development is a foundational step in orthotic fabrication that helps students comprehend how 2D designs translate into 3D orthoses. To enhance clinical skills through direct practice opportunities, this resource features detailed splint pattern modules for 10 commonly fabricated orthoses, each accompanied by background information and model images, while the orthotic educational content promotes self-directed learning by guiding students to understand …

Sensory Toolkits For Self-Regulation In An Inclusive Summer Camp, Ashley A. Edwards

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project focused on increasing sensory regulation support for participants at Camp Hooray hosted at Extra Special People (ESP), a nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities of all ages. To address sensory processing challenges in an inclusive summer camp setting, I developed and distributed portable sensory toolkits and provided staff education on their use. Each toolkit was a drawstring bag containing noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, sunglasses, visual prompts for deep breathing, and other items designed to offer calming or alerting input in moments of dysregulation. I collaborated with staff to identify needs, secured donations, sourced materials, and created an educational …

Advocating For And Improving Kota Membership, Hunter Robinson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place remotely with mentorship provided by Dr. Allen Keener, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ATP. The primary ACOTE focus area of this project is advocacy. The goals of my capstone include identifying why OT professionals either do or don’t attain and maintain KOTA membership, advocating for the importance of OT professionals to gain membership to their state OT association, identifying factors/trends that may contribute to an increase or decrease in membership rates among various state OT associations, and using knowledge gained throughout this project, help to improve KOTA membership rates. State occupational therapy associations across the country are …

Long Story Short: Addressing Health Literacy In The Acute Care Setting, Madeline K. Ebright

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project targeted patient and family education in the acute care setting. The primary goals were focused on understanding what education was already being provided and what improvements can be made to educational methods. The primary problem that was addressed through a literature review and needs assessment was a lack of physical resources available. Five core resources were then created across three different departments in order to improve the overall system of health education in the acute care setting and consequently improve patient health literacy. To evaluate the efficacy of the resources they were provided to patients and practitioners …

Adverse Childhood Experiences In The School System, Hollie Hedrick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

Through my ALE, focused on education in Boyd County Public Schools, I implemented trauma-informed interventions to support students affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). My goals were to help children develop emotional and sensory regulation skills, educate school staff on how to support students navigating trauma, and raise awareness of the lifelong impact of ACEs and the value of therapeutic services. ACEs—such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—can disrupt childhood development and lead to poor long-term health and increased need for medical and educational services. It is crucial that professionals help students process and manage these experiences. I delivered 1:1 …

Enhancing Occupational Therapy In The Acute Care Setting: Educating Clinicians, Expanding Resources, And Strengthening Documentation, Elizabeth Biggs

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone project was completed in the acute care setting at University of Kentucky HealthCare. The goal was to elevate occupational therapy’s role by addressing documentation practices, assessment use, and discharge planning. I focused on equipping clinicians with tools and education to improve service quality, efficiency, and OT visibility in discharge processes.

Through clinician interviews, workflow observations, and review of discharge trends, I identified challenges in documentation standardization, assessment clarity, and OT involvement in discharge planning. Literature supported these findings, highlighting how such issues reduce OT’s impact on patient outcomes.

In response, I developed three key deliverables using clinician …

From Symptom To Source: Unraveling The Upper Limb Puzzle, Kara Burton

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE project was to bridge the gap in literature by creating a comprehensive evaluation program to assist in identifying differential diagnoses based on symptoms presented. Following ACOTE’s focus areas of program development and clinical practice, this project aimed to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical reasoning through the creation of an evidence based evaluation program. It guides therapists through a systematic evaluation process, especially when symptoms are complex or diagnoses are unclear. Providing clinicians with a structured chart focusing on symptom overview, mechanism of injury, clinical presentation, special testing, and potential differential diagnoses. On site therapists and …

Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation, Hannah Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE), I partnered virtually with Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation (KOTF), focusing on advocacy and development in alignment with ACOTE standards. The project’s goal was to promote occupational justice by increasing access to OT education through the creation of a targeted scholarship. Guided by my mentor, Dr. Colleen Schneck, and the KOTF board, we identified financial barriers as a significant issue for aspiring occupational therapy professionals. Our needs assessment showed a lack of OT-specific scholarships for students at varying educational levels. To address this, we developed a scholarship for …

3d Printed Adaptive Technology, Mackenzie Polster

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone experience, I worked with Hancock Health in the outpatient department in Greenfield, IN. My primary ACOTE focus areas were program development (creating 3D printed adaptive technology (AT) for patients) and education (educating about benefits of 3D printing for functional use). Project goals included: educate occupational therapists and patients about 3D printed AT benefits, create 3D printed AT for patients, assess 3D printed AT from patient perspective, and assess relevance of 3D printed AT from OT perspective. There is limited existing research of 3D printing being used for AT. 3D printing often is dismissed due to vendors utilizing …

The Effectiveness Of Vivistim On Ue Function Post Chronic Ischemic Stroke, Chelsea G. Tucker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn about a new technology, Vivistim, as it enhances upper extremity function post chronic ischemic stroke through vagus nerve stimulation paired with repetitive task-specific therapy. This project took place at UK Healthcare Outpatient Neurorehabilitation at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. The AOTA/ACOTE focus areas for this project included education and clinical practice. Specific goals included to learn about the role of occupational therapy in the outpatient neurorehabilitation setting, research background information for case study including ischemic stroke, motor relearning, vagus nerve stimulation, and Vivistim technology, gather observations for case study, …

Program Analysis And Development In A Kentucky Specialty Court Program, Brooke Mahanna

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone was completed with a Specialty Court program within Kentucky. The focus was education and advocacy for occupational therapy (OT) in a setting that currently lacks these services. The goals included identifying OT's role in substance use treatment, especially for justice-involved individuals and developing OT-informed resources to support holistic care and wellness.

Substance use negatively impacts personal, social, and occupational participation (Doğu & Özkan, 2023; Sadaqat et al., 2023). OT’s focus on quality of life is an approach shown to improve long-term outcomes. Lack of OT services in the project setting highlights a gap in holistic care for program …

Empowering Veterans Through Access: Development Of A Comprehensive Resource Guide, Lindsey Perkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE), I partnered with the EKU Office of Veterans Affairs, an academic support setting serving student veterans. The ACOTE focus areas were Education and Program Development. The project aimed to create a comprehensive Veterans Resource Guide to help veterans navigate healthcare, education, employment, and community reintegration services. A needs assessment revealed a lack of centralized resources to support student veterans, aligning with literature indicating that over 48% of veterans struggle with transitioning to civilian life (Parker et al., 2019). Challenges include mental health, social isolation, and occupational barriers (Krigbaum et al., 2020), with …

Dynamic Movement Intervention (Dmi): Understanding Occupational Therapy's Role In Pediatric Gross Motor Development, Katarina Porter

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone experience was to complete an advanced clinical practice in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and to explore the role of occupational therapy in pediatric gross motor development at Marshall Pediatric Therapy in Lexington, Kentucky. As part of this project, an educational brochure was developed to inform parents and practitioners about the benefits of DMI for children with gross motor delays. Additionally, a student guide was created to link DMI exercises to pediatric developmental milestones and to highlight their relevance to occupational therapy. This capstone experience allowed me to advance my understanding of pediatric gross motor development, …

Exploring The Benefits Of Occupational Therapy In Women's Health, Makayla Witt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The primary goal of this ALE presentation was to educate healthcare providers, patients, and staff on occupational therapist’s contributions to women’s health. In collaboration with Dr. Byram Ratliff at Sterling Women’s Health, I explored the role of occupational therapy in individualized women’s care. Initial research revealed a lack of awareness regarding how occupational therapy can support women through different life stages. This project involved shadowing my site mentor to understand clinic workflows, then assessing baseline knowledge of occupational therapy using an online survey completed by patients, staff, and providers. Survey results identified limited awareness of occupational therapist’s role, prompting the …

Increasing Referrals To Ot Breastfeeding Specialists Through Accessible Education, Kameron Grigsby

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This project aimed to educate mothers and healthcare providers about the role of occupational therapy (OT) in infant feeding, with the goal of increasing occupational performance satisfaction by promoting appropriate referrals to OT lactation specialists. A significant gap exists in understanding the distinction between other healthcare professionals and OT roles in infant feeding, and the literature lacks detailed OT interventions to support mothers during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding struggles. To address this, I conducted a patient survey to guide the creation of a pamphlet outlining OT’s role in feeding and developed a presentation demonstrating OT interventions for both providers and mothers. …

Cmc Arthritis And Splinting, Andrea Nantz

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project and applied leadership experience was on CMC arthritis and splinting. The primary focus area of this capstone experience was clinical practice and education. There are multiple different interventions that can benefit individuals with CMC arthritis such as splinting, joint protection/modifications, and exercise. The problem this capstone project solved for my clinical setting is helping patients implement joint protection, modifications, splint wear, as well as providing information on why custom orthotics are more effective. I evaluated the effectiveness of my project through a survey given to CMC arthritis patients and verbal feedback from patients after they read through …

Promoting Diagnosis Education Access In Hand Therapy, Juan J. Torres

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project took place at KORT Downtown Hand Center, focusing on creating educational materials to help enhance patient understanding of their diagnosis, increase access to these resources, and increase my overall knowledge in hand therapy. A literature review revealed that low health literacy contributes to increased hospitalizations and inadequate health management, more so for non-English speakers. To address this, I created educational handouts in both English and Spanish for five common diagnoses seen in this setting: Lateral Epicondylitis, Medial Epicondylitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, and Distal Radius Fractures (Post-Operative). At the start of this capstone, I created …

Filling The Gap: Ot’S Role In Addressing Emotional Barriers In Vestibular Rehab, Gabby P. Cordas

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project explored the emotional and behavioral barriers that impact vestibular rehabilitation, and how occupational therapy can help fill that gap. It took place at UK Outpatient Therapy at Cardinal Hill, where physical therapy leads vestibular care. However, many patients struggle with anxiety, avoidance, and frustration that interfere with progress. My goal was to observe those patterns, clarify OT’s role, and create practical tools to support more holistic care.

Research shows that psychiatric comorbidities are common in vestibular disorders—especially episodic conditions like vestibular migraine and Ménière’s disease. Emotional responses such as fear, self-doubt, and withdrawal can worsen symptoms and …

Closing The Gap In Ot Practices: Hospice And Palliative Care, Karly French

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this Capstone project and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) was to explore the perspectives of family members and caregivers of individuals who received hospice or palliative care and to advocate for increased occupational therapy (OT) involvement in these settings. Conducted entirely online under the supervision of Dr. Allen Keener, the project focused on the ACOTE areas of research and advocacy. A thorough literature review revealed that while OT is known to be beneficial in end-of-life care, it is often underutilized. Most existing research reflects the views of healthcare providers, with minimal representation of caregiver perspectives. To address this …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Mental And Behavioral Health, Claudia Robertson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this capstone was to promote preparedness of occupational therapy (OT) students for mental and behavioral health practice through the creation of a learning module. This project was completed in collaboration with the University of Kentucky College of Nursing Behavioral Health and Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team. Recently, OT students reported a perceived lack of preparedness for level II fieldwork (Bergstresser-Simpson et al., 2023). The literature review and SWOT analysis highlighted a gap between the needs of the mental and behavioral health populations and OT student preparation for level II fieldwork. Though the …

Expanding Awareness Of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Education For Perinatal Women, Cassandra Mcneil

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

For my doctoral capstone project, I partnered with PT Solutions Outpatient Therapy in Lexington, Kentucky with mentorship from an occupational therapist specializing in pelvic health therapy. The primary ACOTE focus areas were advocacy and education to support increased awareness of the benefits of outpatient pelvic health therapy services for perinatal women. This project aimed to educate, advocate, and increase awareness of perinatal pelvic health therapy by reaching the following goals: Understand occupational therapy’s role in pelvic floor therapy for perinatal women through evidence-based practice, clinical observation of pelvic floor therapy sessions, and hands-on clinical practice, advocate pelvic floor therapy to …

Using The Background Of Occupational Therapy To Argue Our Role In Stress Management: Proposed Lines Of Inquiry, Klaire M. Gowins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

The purpose of this ALE presentation is to present research in support of the development of the Student Stress Management Center (SSMC) at EKU. The researchers’ long-term proposition, beyond the scope of this poster, is to effectively communicate to various audiences the importance and occupation-based characteristics of a Student Stress Management Center for students within the higher education setting. In preparation for that goal, this poster reviews scholarly literature relevant to the field of occupational therapy and its philosophical roots to lay groundwork for clarifying whether and how a revised articulation of the philosophical base is needed, relative to the …

Ot For Independence: A Shelter-Based Approach, Joshua A. Dotson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Capstone project was conducted at the Clark County Homeless Coalition in Winchester, Kentucky, focusing on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness through occupational therapy (OT). The main objective was to understand shelter staff roles and clients’ occupational needs while helping clients engage in meaningful activities to improve their quality of life and independence. Research showed a strong need for OT services among homeless and mentally ill populations, with client-centered, choice-based interventions proving most effective. Tools like the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) informed the approach, though outcome measurement was limited by inconsistent client participation. Nonetheless, the COPM guided meaningful goal-setting. Informal …

From Foundation To Future: The Kota Story, Lynn Duncan M.Ed, Otd

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

I worked with the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA) in partnership with Eastern Kentucky University’s Special Collections and Archives for my Capstone Project and Applied Leadership Experience, with an emphasis on advocacy. KOTA plays an essential role in advocating for its members by focusing on community networking, research, advocacy, legislative affairs, and education (Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association, 2025). Research indicates the importance for professional associations to safeguard records, however several challenges include managing the volume of materials, selecting a cataloging system, ensuring easy retrieval, maintaining secure storage, and addressing concerns about sustainability (Brown, 2013). The needs assessment revealed disorganized physical …

A Lifestyle Redesign®-Informed Approach To Substance Use Recovery, Alexis Lemaster

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) took place at Enrich, a nonprofit in Richmond, Kentucky, that supports individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). The primary ACOTE focus area was program development. The goal was to design a sustainable Lifestyle Redesign (LRD)-informed program to help men in recovery build healthy routines, navigate life transitions, and engage in meaningful activities. Additional goals included educating staff on occupational therapy’s (OT) role and integrating LRD principles into existing services. A needs assessment—including observations, a review of Enrich’s sober living objectives, and four interviews with individuals in recovery—revealed disruptions in daily routines, emotional regulation, …

Making Waves In Occupation: Advancing Ot Practice Through Aquatic Therapy, Maria E. Luciano

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This doctoral capstone project focused on enhancing the role of occupational therapy (OT) in aquatic therapy through education, advocacy, and clinical practice. Conducted at a YMCA pool in Richmond, KY, the project aimed to increase OT practitioner competence and confidence in delivering aquatic therapy to adults and older adults. Primary goals included developing an educational plan to support occupational performance for aquatic therapy participants, creating a website with OT-specific aquatic therapy resources, and equipping OT students with guidance on entering this nontraditional practice area. A literature review revealed a lack of OT-specific aquatic therapy resources despite evidence supporting its benefits. …

Enhancing Postpartum Care Through Occupational Therapy: Supporting Program Growth, Expanding Resources, And Strengthening Practice, Breanna Hamrick

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

During my doctoral capstone, I partnered with Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska to support the recent addition of occupational therapy services on the hospital’s mother/baby unit. The project focused on program development and education to address the unique needs of postpartum women in the acute care setting and advocate for OT’s role in this emerging area.

Following a literature review and needs assessment, the project identified a significant gap in postpartum OT services—only 84 of 2,158 U.S. hospitals currently offer these services (Pelvic Health Network, n.d.). High readmission rates from postpartum complications such as infection, preeclampsia, and cardiovascular issues …

Occupational Balance In Relation To Therapist Threshold, Caroline Crump

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My Capstone/Applied Learning Experience took place at Foundation Hand and Physical Therapy in Richmond, Kentucky. The primary ACOTE focus areas that were used within my study was Education, Research and Clinical Practice. The goal of this research was to investigate any correlations between occupational balance and therapist threshold in the outpatient rehabilitation setting. It was important to be able to investigate both Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists to determine factors that related to a clinician’s personal occupational balance and therapist threshold. These factors were able to be addressed by this study through further researching the ways clinicians view occupational balance …