May 8, 2026 9:00-11:15am 1 Constitution Wharf Conference Room
MGH Institute of Health Professions
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Department of Occupational Therapy
DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
CLASS OF 2026 Ceremony
May 8, 2026
9:00 – 11:15 a.m.
WELCOME REMARKS
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP
Associate Professor & Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy
Post-Professional OTD Program Director
Emily Z. Eddy, OT, OTD, MS, OTR, FNAP
Assistant Professor & Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director
ENTRY-LEVEL OTD CLASS OF 2026 STUDENT ADDRESS
Tori Denovellis, BS, OT/s
POST-PROFESSIONAL OTD CLASS OF 2026 STUDENT ADDRESS
Mim Ochsenbein, MSW, OTR/L
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Presented by Members of the Department of Occupational Therapy
PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES & SCHOLARSHIP SHOWCASE
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP
Associate Professor & Occupational Therapy Department Chair
Emily Z. Eddy, OT, OTD, MS, OTR, FNAP
Assistant Professor & Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director
Kimberly Erler, OT, PhD, FAOTA, FNAP
Associate Professor, Entry-Level Program Doctoral Capstone Coordinator Director, Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery
CLOSING REMARKS
ALUMNI AWARD
Alumni Professional Achievement Award
This award honors and celebrates an alum that has distinguished themselves through significant leadership, service to the profession and/or a community or population. Achievements may include participation in scholarly work after their time as occupational therapy students at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. This commitment to excellence is demonstrated by exceptional performance in professional pursuits such as volunteer leadership, co-authoring a manuscript or disseminating the science underpinning occupational therapy, grant funding, quality improvement projects, program development and implementation, and contributions to occupational therapy education and practice. This awardee(s) demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of the MGH Institute of Health Professions through professional excellence.
FACULTY AWARDS
Outstanding Teaching Award
This award honors an IHP instructor (full-time faculty, part-time faculty, term lecturer, or lab instructor) who has taught a minimum of (2) semesters and is dedicated and committed to enhancing the educational experience of occupational therapy students. This individual consistently integrates learning activities / research mentorship that enable students to expand their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in occupation and evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and professional reasoning.
Faculty Award for Excellence
This award honors an occupational therapy faculty member who is dedicated to enhancing the experience of OT students. This individual demonstrates exceptional commitment through innovative teaching, thoughtful advising, and impactful mentoring, fostering both academic and professional growth. They go beyond the classroom to support and inspire students, creating a learning environment that promotes excellence, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Their dedication to student success, professional development, and the advancement of occupational therapy education exemplifies the highest standards of faculty excellence.
Award for Excellence in Fieldwork Education
This award recognizes outstanding communication and teaching skills that foster applied learning and evidence-based decision-making in occupational therapy students. The individual exemplifies the qualities and skills of an outstanding fieldwork educator by demonstrating excellence in the areas of professionalism, communication/interpersonal skills, clinical teaching, and clinical practice. Level I and Level II fieldwork educators and support staff are eligible for this award.
Thank you for your dedication to this community!
DOCTOR
May 8, 2026
10:25-11:15 a.m
Poster Session 1
The Barriers and Facilitators in Airport Wayfinding for Travelers with Mobility-Based Impairments
Gianna Ruiz, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Diane Smith, Valerie Fletcher)
The Barriers and Facilitators in Airport Wayfinding for Travelers with Visual Impairments
Kaelyn Mills, BA, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Diane Smith, Valerie Fletcher)
A Structured Play Approach to Social Skill Development in Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Samantha Johnson, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Emily Eddy, Shannon O’Haverty )
The Impact of an Interprofessional Dedicated Education Unit (IPDEU) on Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment
Nadin Othman BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Jessica Asiello, Dr. Regina Doherty)
Assessing the CAR-T Coping Care Plan: A Quality Improvement Project
Tama Coelin, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kathleen Lyons, Christina M Kelley)
Enhancing Coordination of Care for Patients with Brain Tumors and Serious Illnesses: A Quality Improvement Project
Kristen MacDonald, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kathleen Lyons, Dr. Abigail Spaulding, Claire Wueste, Sheel Singh)
Breaking the Burnout Cycle: A Proactive Approach to OTD Student Wellness
Elspeth Powel Olney, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kelly Spellman, Dr. Colleen Muse)
Perceptions of Leisure Occupations and Digital Gaming in Occupational Therapy Practice
Emily Scaife, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kevin Berner)
A Theory-Informed, Campus-to-Community Stroke Awareness Campaign: Engagement, Reach, and Dissemination Outcomes
Elizabeth Lawlor, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kimberly Erler)
“A Tremendous Power, A Tremendous Responsibility”: Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives on Implementing Standardized Neurobehavioral Assessments for Disorders of Consciousness in Intensive Care Settings
Emily Lolli, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kimberly Erler, Dr. Katherine Golden)
Reliability and Validity of the Occupational Performance Coding System (OPCS): Assessing Communication of Neurodiverse Children during Occupational Therapy with Caregivers
Emerson Evans, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Mary Beth Kadlec, Thom Child and Family Services)
Developing an Occupational Therapy Student-Led Sensory Playgroup
Leah Kornguth, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Mary O’Donnell, Amy Izen)
Exploring Barriers Indigenous Individuals Face When Participating in Rehabilitation
Kari Leong, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Pooja Jethani)
Development of an Evidence-Based Process to Support Growth of Cultural Humility During Global Immersion
Erin MacDevette, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Colleen Muse)
Enhancing Student Resilience to Optimize Quality, Safety, and Ethical Decision Making
Noa Gamliel, BFA, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Midge Hobbs)
Integrating Fieldwork Educators Into Didactic Coursework: Impact on OT Students' Readiness for Level II Fieldwork
Victoria Denovellis, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Tara Mansour, Kate LeMonda)
Do We Need an Interpreter Today? Real World Education to Prepare Occupational Therapy Students to Work with Diverse Linguistic Populations
Sara Madden, OT, CHT PP-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Jessica Asiello)
Preparing Health Science Students to Address Low Health Literacy in Older Adults: A Hybrid Educational Workshop
Sandra E. Cozzens, OT, BSOT, OTR PP-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Sarah McKinnon)
What Happens Between Us: Developing an Embodied and Relational Model of Clinical Reasoning for OT
Mim Ochsenbein, MSW, OTR/L, PP-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Sunny Winstead)
Functional Gains in Self-Care Following Inpatient Rehabilitation in Burn Survivors
Karina Absalon, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Diane Smith, Kaitlyn Chacon, Dr. Huan Deng, Dr. John Wong, Dr. Jeffrey Schneider)
Supporting Individuals with Disabilities in Makerspaces: A Resource Guide and Toolkit to Advance Access and Inclusion
Emily Dawkins, BA, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Emily Eddy, Kara T. Morrison-Smith)
Impact of Ethics Training on Moral Resilience in Interprofessional Healthcare Practitioners
Margaret Ward, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Jessica Asiello, Dr. Regina Doherty)
Enhancing Support for Women with Advanced Breast Cancer: Development of the PAVING ABC Program
Caitlin Prescott, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kathleen Lyons, Loren N. Winters, Carol Sullivan)
Evaluating Interdisciplinary Utilization of the Brain Tumor and Serious Illness Pathway Checklist (BTSI): A Quality Improvement Project
Isabella Moreno, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kathleen Lyons, Dr. Abigail Spaulding, Claire Wueste)
Fostering Self-advocacy Strategies in the Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) Population to Promote Community Participation
Aislinn Lalikos, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kelly Spellman, Molly Sebo)
Empowering Individuals with SCI through Yoga
Sadie Arnold, BA, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kelly Spellman, Dr. Carrie Callahan)
Graduate Program Training in Device Design and Development: Engaging in 3D Printing
Caitlyn Mae Las Marias, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kevin Berner, Jessica Bell)
Peer Support for Assistive Technology: A Pilot Program for Adults with Advanced Neurological Conditions
Kris Wiitala, BA, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kevin Berner, Dr. Julie Blodgett)
Addressing Substance Use Disorder After Traumatic Brain Injury: An Occupational Therapy Tookit for Clinical Practice
Lauren Kemmer, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Kimberly Erler, Dr. Katherine Golden)
Evaluating Reliability of the Occupational Performance Coding System (OPCS) for Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions, their Sibling(s), Caregiver(s), and Clinician in Early Intervention Occupational Therapy Treatment
Emma Lynch, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Mary Beth Kadlec, Thom Child and Family Services)
Development of an OT Toolkit for New Parents: Building Knowledge and Connection Through Community Outreach
Michaella Israel, BSFCS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Mary O’Donnell)
Outlining Occupational Therapy's Role at New England Disabled Sports (NEDS): A Business Plan
Hope Hilsenrath, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Mary O’Donnell, Jason Lafontaine)
Culturally Responsive Holistic Care: Practical Tools for Healthcare Providers
Ava Tahmasbi, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Pooja Jethani)
Learning Through Play: An Occupational Therapy-Informed Sensory Group to Promote Child Participation and Caregiver Understanding
Luciana Trabucco, BS, OT/S, EL-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Sarah McKinnon)
Enhancing Therapist-Parent Communication in Pediatric OT: Using AI-Supported Reflection to Improve Clinical Learning
Michelle Kemper, MS, OTR/L, PP-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Jessica Asiello)
A Vision for Improved Patient Experience
Heather Cheesman, OT, OTR, PP-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Jessica Asiello)
Collaborate to Regulate (C2R): A School-Based Occupational Therapy Practitioner Led Collaboration Program to Increase Appropriate Use of Sensory-Informed Strategies Within the Classroom
Danielle Attardo, MOT, OTR/L, PP-OTD candidate (mentor, Dr. Sunny Winstead)
Faculty
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Program Director, Post-Professional OTD Program and Doctor of Health Sciences Program
Jessica Asiello, OT, OTD, OTR Assistant Professor
Kevin Berner, OT, OTD, OTR, ATP Assistant Professor
Coordinator for Student Tech & Innovation for Therapeutic Care & Health Lab (STITCH Lab)
Regina F. Doherty, OT, OTD, OTR, FAOTA, FNAP Professor
Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Dean of Interprofessional Education and Practice
Emily Zeman Eddy, OT, OTD, MS, OTR, FNAP Assistant Professor
Program Director, Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Kimberly Erler, OT, PhD, FAOTA, FNAP Associate Professor
Entry-Level Program Doctoral Capstone Coordinator Director, Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery
Midge Hobbs, OT, OTD, OTR, FNAP
Distinguished Teaching Assistant Professor, Assistant Dean for Interprofessional Education
Baothy Huynh, OT, PhD, OTR Assistant Professor
Pooja Jethani, OT, OTD, OTR Assistant Professor
Mary Beth Kadlec, OT, ScD, OTR Assistant Professor
Kathleen D. Lyons, OT, ScD, OTR, FAOTA Professor
Director of Cancer Rehabilitation (CaRe) Lab
Tara Mansour, OT, OTD, MS-HPEd, OTR Assistant Professor Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Colleen Muse, OT, OTD, MHE, OTR, PNAP Assistant Professor Level I Fieldwork Coordinator
Mary O'Donnell, OT, OTD, OTR, CLC Assistant Professor Coordinator for Clinical Operations of the Tabor/Connor Family Occupational Therapy Center (CLiPR)
Diane Smith, OT, PhD, OTR, FAOTA Professor Emerita
Kelly Spellman, OT, OTD, OTR Assistant Professor
Sunny Winstead, OT, EdD, OTR/L Assistant Professor
John Wong, PhD Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor
Staff
Pauline Fiorello, OT, OTR, CBIS Clinical Specialist and Clinical Instructor
Fiona Garrity Program Coordinator
Patricia Peterson, OT, MPH, OTR Senior Clinical Education Placement and Systems Associate
Tina Phan Program Manager
Sites Mentor/Community Partners:
Autism Care Partners
Children's Occupational Therapy & Associates
Clover Clubhouse
COAST SF
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Empower Spinal Cord Injury
Institute for Human Centered Design
Massachusetts General Hospital
MGH Institute of Health Professions – Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice
MGH Institute of Health Professions - OT Center for Learning, Participation, and Rehabilitation
MGH Institute of Health Professions – Office of Missions, Values, and Community Excellence
MGH Institute of Health Professions - Office of Student and Alumni Services, Accessibility and Wellness Resources
MGH Institute of Health Professions – NAPA Center Boston
MGH Institute of Health Professions – Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Institute
New England Disabled Sports
SCI Boston
Spaulding Outpatient Center Lynn
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Neurorehabilitation Laboratory
Tedy's Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery
The Boston Home
The Institute for Human Centered Design
Thank you to our site mentors and community collaborators for supporting our students.
