Dean in Residence: Doisy College Dean Spends a Day in the Life of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

On November 4, 2014, the Dean of the Doisy College of Health Sciences, Dr. Mardell Wilson, visited the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy as part of her Dean in Residence program. She met with the faculty, staff, and students and observed classes to better understand Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. 

After Dean Wilson's experience in the department, she was asked to write about her involvement in and understanding of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Dean Wilson stated:"I spent an outstanding day in the OS/OT Department on Tuesday [November 4].  It was great to spend time with the students in the various stages of their college career and my time with faculty was equally rewarding.  I tried not to "think" too much about what I learned about the quality of my sleep in MOT 517 (Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy).  I was really impressed with the creative video presentations given in OCS 312 (The Study of Occupation) and the Problem-Based Learning group was an outstanding example of teamwork.  The passion exhibited by both the faculty and staff in the program is truly authentic.  It was an extremely rewarding day and I have a much better sense of the program, its curricular components, and the amazing people who are a part of OS/OT." 

Students were also asked about their experience during the "Dean in Residence" day. MOT II Jaclyn Berlino said, "We didn't have a lot of time to talk, but in that time, Dean Wilson provided great advice and information. Also, I was impressed by her goals for our department and Doisy College of Health Sciences as a whole." Junior Caroline Baird said, "My encounter with Dean Wilson was enlightening. She talked about who she was and why she was here. I would have never met her with out this opportunity being available. Dean Wilson's visit allowed me to relate to her and it made her more approachable."

--Rose Niemerg, MOT I Student

Junior Class Reflects on Fall Semester Occupational Science Courses

In the fall semester, juniors in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy take three courses focusing on Occupational Science concepts: The Study of Occupation, Contexts of Occupation, and Development of Humans as Occupational Beings. Occupational Science students were asked about their experience in their courses so far. Many students highlighted the enjoyment they get from doing things differently than in any other class they have experienced before. One student said, “Between our 50-person drum circles, Lindy Hop dance classes, and praxis obstacle courses, we've had a lot of fun applying Occupational Science concepts to actions in our daily lives.”

The students did note that this semester is not all fun and no work. The multiple projects such as videos, observations, and time-use charts, along with the exams, assignments, and papers have strengthened their abilities to plan for their course work appropriately to succeed. One student stated, “Junior year is all about planning ahead.”  Many of the students reported that the challenging course work has really improved their time management skills. Many also explained that these group projects and assignments drive them to come together as a team.

An extremely high number of students accentuated the idea that all of the SLU’s Occupational Science courses connect with one another in some way. One individual responded with “We will talk about one topic in the first class and then build off it in the third class with a completely different teacher. It is great to see how everything connects!” The students are constantly finding relationships between many topics discussed in all of their classes.  Overall, Saint Louis University Occupational Science has been a “wonderful”,  “interesting”, and an “effective” learning experience that drives each student to naturally come together and work with each other.

-Courtney Hogan, MOT I Student