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only a specialist in neurology, but she is a sought after speaker and author. Dr. Roche became the first UMMC PCS occupational therapist to earn her PhD when she graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2013. Cynthia Roman, MS, OTR/L, CEAS, is an adjunct professor at Towson University, a certified ergonomics specialist, and is working to become a safe patient handling & movement specialist. Wendy Thornton, OTR/L was recognized at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center gala this year for her outstanding work in patient care and, Michelle Luken, MS, OTR/L, qualified for acceptance into the U.S. Army’s doctoral program. She was one of approximately ten occupational therapists across the nation to qualify for this program. Michelle said that her ability to meet the clinical criteria required by the U.S. Army was due to the vast, “acute and trauma experience gained here at UMMC.” She is currently stationed in San Antonio, Texas and upon graduation will be eligible for deployed psych and trauma brain injury (TBI) missions. Program Development and Process Improvement Occupational therapists are members of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental teams throughout the system striving to improve patient care and departmental processes. They have been involved in staff- and family-education initiatives, including the initiation of “TBI signs” on the neuro-trauma floors in the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. These signs help to educate both nurses and family members of a patient’s current cognitive status and advise regarding how to maximize the patient’s success. Recent trends in research have highlighted the overwhelming financial value and significant physical outcomes of early mobilization in the ICU (Needham, 2008). At UMMC, occupational therapists are highly involved in supporting this effort through their therapeutic patient interventions and education on safe handling techniques for hospital staff. Diana Johnson, MS, PT, Director of Rehabilitation Services, feels that, “although it is the physical therapist that is commonly thought of when mobility is discussed, it should be understood that occupational therapists are playing an important part, and have been Melissa Kellner, MS, OTR/L
Michelle Luken, MS, OTR/L
very involved in the UMMC ICU early mobility initiative. Occupational therapists also play a necessary role in patient throughput. Patients recommended for various types of inpatient rehabilitation upon discharge from UMMC don’t only require the professional opinion of the physical therapist. The likelihood of being accepted into an inpatient rehabilitation program upon discharge is largely dependent on the patient having occupational therapy needs as well.” Occupational therapists are involved in multidisciplinary nurse and tech training sessions; work with colleagues across the system as part of the University of Maryland Rehabilitation Network (UMRN); volunteer for community outreach initiatives; and, are using LEAN education (acquired at UMMC) to develop tools to assist with departmental process improvement projects. As you can see, occupational therapy professionals are highly skilled clinicians who are involved in education, process improvement, program development, system initiatives, and leadership. Jason W. Custer, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, and medical director of the PICU at UMMC, states: “When I think about occupational therapy, I think of therapists using ADLs, dexterity training, and other modalities to help people transition from the acute care environment back to their homes, or in the case of children, back to school. I value their dedication to treating kids like kids, and focusing on family.” References : Needham, D. M. (2008). Mobilizing patients in the intensive care unit: Improving neuromuscular weakness and physical function. Journal of the American Medical Association, 300, 1685–1690. Pendleton, H., & Schultz-Krohn, W. (Eds.). (2006). Pedretti’s occupational therapy: Practice skills for physical dysfunction (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
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