Contact Us
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southwest State University, Marshall, MN in 2002. In 2004, I earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of South Dakota. I earned a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree through the post-professional program at the University of South Dakota in 2016. I have clinical experience in the areas of hand to elbow rehabilitation, occupational health, and lymphedema therapy. I am a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), and I am also certified through the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA).
I joined the USD Occupational Therapy Department in 2017. I serve as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. My interests include the areas of upper extremity rehabilitation, splinting, occupational health and ergonomics, professional identity, interprofessional education, and fieldwork. I have participated in the Course Design Fellowship through the Centers for Teaching and Learning at USD, and I continue to pull from this experience to engage students through collaborative learning techniques and active learning strategies.
My scholarly interests include occupational therapy's role in promoting occupational performance and occupational therapy education. My first area of interest focuses on occupational therapy's role in assisting clients, families and communities impacted by illness or injury overcome barriers to participation in life roles in order to promote occupational performance. My second area of interest in OT education focuses on the role of interprofessional education and active learning strategies including the use of innovative technology and collaborative learning techniques to aid in the transition to clinical practice and to promote lifelong learning.