MSOT student, Ashlea Shantz talked about why she chose OT: “Occupational therapy is a good career choice for me because it combines all of the things I’m passionate about, like providing services for mental, emotional and physical health.”

 

Students at Davenport University who are pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) have been engaged in a different kind of learning, one that extends beyond the classroom and into school districts.

According to Jennifer Bingman, faculty member and interim occupational therapy (OT) department chair at Davenport, it’s always beneficial when students engage with members of the community, but this particular instance is especially meaningful and timely because April is OT Awareness Month.

To mark the observance, Davenport joined participating Michigan universities in implementing the “Why Choose OT” initiative. The public awareness and workforce development program is led by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and is designed to increase understanding of occupational therapy among K–12 students and school counselors.  

This goal is achieved by having MSOT students visit K-12 classrooms, not only to raise awareness of the OT field but also to spotlight advocacy and access to care.

Fourteen MSOT students from Davenport are currently participating in the initiative, pairing up to visit six schools in the Grand Rapids area. During the visits, Davenport students give an informative presentation on OT and demonstrate 12 types of adaptive equipment used by occupational therapists to help their patients gain independence. After an explanation about their use, the students are encouraged to test the tools themselves, which often leads to questions and thoughtful conversations.

“This is a great hands-on activity because it engages the students in a fun way,” said Bingman. “It also teaches them how occupational therapy supports participation in everyday life, and it can spark early interest in health care careers, like OT.”

According to Bingman, the “Why Choose OT” program helps Davenport MSOT students develop their professional identities by communicating with stakeholders and building community relationships. “It’s a fantastic way for our students to strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills and also allows them to translate what they’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world application,” she said. “The end result is an increase in self-confidence and an opportunity to reflect on their reasons for wanting to become an occupational therapist.”

During the last component of the visits, the Davenport students shared their reasons for wanting to become occupational therapists. For MSOT student, Ashlea Shantz, the motivation is personal. After experiencing health challenges as a child, her doctor prescribed physical therapy, and it was there that she first learned about the OT profession. “When I was in high school, my physical therapist and I were talking about my professional goals in the health care field, and the possibility of me exploring OT,” she said. “My therapist felt OT might be a good fit for me because it combines all of the things that are important to me, like providing services for mental, emotional and physical health, and OT will allow me to do that.”

She understands the important role therapy plays in reaching positive outcomes and looks forward to helping others reach their goals.

“I love that OT is a holistic and versatile profession that helps people regain independence and return to activities that are meaningful to them,” she said. “I want to be a piece of the healing puzzle for people going through a difficult time.”

Shantz’s path to becoming an occupational therapist started with a bachelor’s in psychology. She then returned to school to earn an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences, which enabled her to work as an occupational therapy assistant. She was with Hope Network for a year, working with their transitional, long-term care and community programs. A move to Madison, Wisconsin, led her to a job at an outpatient pediatric clinic, where she worked for a year and a half before starting the OT graduate program at Davenport. 

“I am very passionate about OT and enjoyed sharing that passion with the students at Hudsonville High School,” she said. “It was fun to connect with the students and show them examples of the different adaptive equipment that can help people be independent and successful in their occupations.” Shantz’s adaptive equipment demonstration included introducing the students to a weighted spoon, a sock aid, a reacher and a leg lifter; all of which can help people complete daily tasks and participate in meaningful activities.”

Once Shantz has her master’s in OT in hand, she is likely to pursue a career in community health, pediatrics, aquatic therapy or neurorehabilitation, andshe said her dream job would be assisting patients at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.  

To learn more about Davenport’s OT program, click here.