HOW TO BECOME A SURVIVOR OF GROSS ANATOMY

Just when you thought you had finished all the necessary prerequisites... summer begins with a lovely course called Gross Anatomy.  This course is the last mountain needed to climb in order to begin the program.  You will need correct tools, clothing and a positive attitude in order to climb over this mountain and we have a few students that will give you all the information needed.  They include Jade Fox, Claire Winning, Nichole Whitmore and Lindsey Moore.  These four ladies took Gross Anatomy this past summer and have prepared an informational session.  They will give you an idea of what to expect this summer and answer any questions.  Another person you will want to know is Tanavi Raicar, who is also an OT student graduating in 2013.  She will be a tutor for Gross Anatomy this summer.  We took some time to talk to Tanavi and get to know her...

Us: What is your background and what made you interested in OT?
Tanavi:  I had my Bachelor's in Physiotherapy from India. I practiced as a licensed PT in India for a year after my graduation. However, as I worked, I found myself tieing my therapy to function. Since there were no OTs in the hospital I worked at, I had to do both PT and OT with my clients. I decided to get formal education in OT and therefore chose to come to the States to get my Masters.

Us:   Are you new to Saint Louis University or a previous student?
Tanavi: I am a new student to SLU and joined the Masters program as a post baccalaureate.

Us:   How would you describe your gross anatomy experience? Did you work? How often did you study?
Tanavi:  I loved gross anatomy! It was a wonderful journey of exploring the intricate details of the human body. I did not work during gross anatomy because my visa type did not permit me to work. I studied everyday during gross anatomy, probably at least 5 hours a day. I spent a lot of time studying with my friends in the lab and I think that helped a lot, especially because I am a visual learner.

Us:  What made you want to become a tutor for gross anatomy? And what will make you a good tutor?
Tanavi:  Tutoring for gross anatomy is yet another opportunity for me to learn. Anatomy stays with you forever and you will need it throughout your career as a therapist. Tutoring will not only help me help other students, but it will prepare me well to be a good future therapist. I have been tutoring various subjects for two semesters now. I believe that a good tutor is one who listens to his/her students' concerns and constantly challenges their knowledge. I feel I have these qualities and will make a good tutor.

Us:  What would be your advice for the incoming gross anatomy students?
Tanavi:  Read before class, review after class and spend a lot of time with the cadavers! It is like building a relationship. The more you get to know them, the more comfortable you will feel! And most importantly.. DON'T PANIC! We have all been in your shoes and have walked that road. We made it through.. so can you!

Don’t Just Like, But LOVE The SLU OT Facebook Page!!!

As we have been posting on the Blog Spot, our classmates Lindsey Wiemers and Brittany Field have been updating everyone via Facebook.  The Blog Spot and the SLU OT Facebook page are allowing us to put occupational therapy in high definition and more importantly invite you into the life of an OT student!  In order for you to access the page, you need to search for it as Saint Louis University Dept. of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Facebook page.

Lindsey and Brittany are constantly updating it and we encourage you to like the page if you LOVE OT!!!

SLU OT on Facebook 

Spring in OSOT

Spring has arrived and with it comes new adventures!  This semester we are entering the world of fieldwork!  You might be wondering what fieldwork is....  Fieldwork is the opportunity to follow Occupational Therapists in their respective settings where we are encouraged to apply the knowledge we have acquired in the program.  This opportunity allows us to further investigate prospective settings that we may be interesting in practicing.  As first year Masters students, this fieldwork assignment is more of an introduction into field of practice.  However, I know we are all excited to be more hands on.

Now what would school be without classes?  Not only are we introduced to fieldwork, but we are also introduced to Neuroscience, Pediatrics, Mental Health and Occupational Therapy in Rehabiliation.  As I type these words, neurons are firing at lighting rates.  Needless to say, once you take Neuroscience you will never think about the brain the same way!   In our Occupational Performance and Assessment of Infants, Children and Adolescents class, we inspect pediatric assessment tools and discover ways to develop interventions and treatment goals using theories and models of practice in Pediatric Occupational Therapy.  Our Mental Health class explores the building of a healthy therapeutic relationship, the various degrees of mental health and helps us understand different psychological diseases that can be accompanied with our patients.  Occupational therapy in Rehabiliation examines the various interventions and assessments that we use as Occupational Therapist in a Rehabiliation setting.  This class utilizes hands on experience within the lab to help create a sense of capability.  

This semester is another chapter in the book of our careers as occupational therapists.  We are starting to  develop and utilize our professional reasoning skills.  We look forward to the challenges, expectations and most importantly.... the fun!  

Here are a few things to look forward to later this semester:  Disability Awareness Week (March 19th-23rd), April is Occupational Therapy Month, the AOTA Annual Conference is in Indianapolis this year April 26th-29th and SOTA (Student Occupational Therapy Association) at SLU has already starting planning for the road trip to the conference.

Remember, if you have any questions about the program, don’t hesitate to e-mail us!
E-mails can be found below on the previous blog.

And check out  St. Louis University Dept of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy NOW on Facebook! 
Facebook: SLU Occupational Therapy 

Welcome & Meet Our New Bloggers!

Welcome to the 2011-2012 Occupational Therapy school year at Saint Louis University!  This semester we are starting a new way to inform and promote a variety of things relating to Occupational Therapy.  As first year Master students, we are developing this blog and updating it periodically to include information pertaining to current students and those interested in SLU’s Occupational Therapy program.  We are very excited to keep this blog updated and want to provide our email addresses for anyone interested in the program to contact us if you have questions.

Holly VanderSchaaf hvander1@slu.edu
Caryn Murray cmurra21@slu.edu
Ryan Montgomery rmontgo2@slu.edu

Hi Everyone!
My name is Caryn.  I am looking forward to starting my first experience as a blogger.  As an OT student, I have learned that part of Occupational Therapy’s wide area of focus includes looking at individuals and seeing what makes up that person, including their interests, values, beliefs, past experiences, environment, and much more.  I want to give a blurb with a little background info on me.  I believe it would only be natural to give a brief insight of my previous experiences.  This can also give you an idea on how I might approach things and how you can utilize me (and my fellow OT student bloggers) to help you develop your sense of self particularly relating to your journey into the world of Occupational Therapy!
I was born in SE Texas.  My family (two loving parents, an older brother & two younger sisters) and I moved to a small town in north central Arkansas when I was 11 years old.  I received my bachelor degree in Psychology at the University of Arkansas in 2008.  The spring semester of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to become an Occupational Therapist.  I first heard about OT while I was a baby-sitter for a family with a child with Down syndrome, but I really didn’t consider it until I did more research on my own.   Even after deciding OT, I still sought out volunteer experiences to confirm my decision before applying to graduate school.  I did a volunteer year with the Vincentian Service Corp working at an adult day care center here in St. Louis shortly after my undergrad.   I really enjoyed it but I still wanted to find other volunteer programs because I personally felt I wasn’t ready to go back to school just yet.  I then moved to Chicago to live and work as a therapy aide at Misericordia, a long-term care facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities.   While in Chicago I started applying to different OT schools until I was accepted and began SLU’s program this past May.

Hello All,
My name is Ryan and I am a thirty year old female, the name is a bit deceiving. .  I am a native of St. Louis.  And for those of you who are from St. Louis, I went to Rosati-Kain High School.  I am very excited to blog about my experiences as a masters student in the Occupational Therapy Program at Saint Louis University!  So just to give you a bit of my story, I previously graduated from SLU in 2003 with a bachelor degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  After I graduated, I wasn’t sure  if this truly was the profession of my dreams, so I chose to work in sales before I made any major moves.  I spoke with a few friends who are in the OT field and they aided my decision to become an Occupational Therapist.  With more research, I decided that this would be a good field for me to go into.  I love helping people and there are so many areas of practice, anyone with a caring heart who is  interested can find their place in this field.  I committed myself and took all the necessary prerequisites, which took a year and a half.  I was accepted to the program in 2010 and was placed on the waiting list for a year.  In May of 2011, I began the OT program at SLU and I am so happy with my decision.  So if you get placed on the waiting list, don’t be discouraged take that time to prepare yourself for this new adventure believe me it’s worth it!

Hey!  My name is Holly VanderSchaaf.  I am 25 years old and was born/raised in a suburb of Orlando, FL called Lake Mary.  When I was 17, I moved up to Bourbonnais, IL to attend Olivet Nazarene University.  In 2007, I transferred to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  As I was finishing up my senior year about to graduate with my Bachelors in Psychology, I stumbled across Occupational Therapy in a personality book.  I had never heard of the field and wanted to learn more.  After doing some of my own research, I fell in love with it and knew this the kind of career I wanted.  I originally planned on either going for my Masters in Social Work or Counseling.  The part of OT that I enjoy the most is being able to be there for someone going through a hard time.  I will be able to help them develop, grow, or adapt to their situation.  I enjoy the mental health aspect of life and Occupational Therapy.  Also, with healthcare, it can be hard to find someone who will actual listen to you and with OT, we pride ourselves on really listening and catering to our patients/clients.  After I graduated in December 2009, I had to take 8 extra pre-reqs in order to even apply to the program.  I spent the next year and half taking those classes, working two jobs, volunteering, studying for the GRE, and getting my application ready.  I was accepted at SLU February of this year and began in May.  It has been a long journey to get to where I am today, but it was definitely worth the time and sacrifices I’ve made.  I love Occupational Therapy and the opportunities in this field.

Faculty Practice Social Skills Group Featured on SLU.edu

This week, the Saint Louis University website features a piece about the teen social skills group organized by Jeanne Eichler. Professor Eichler currently teaches juniors and post baccalaureate masters students in the combined BSOS/MOT program, but also functions as the department's clinical faculty. Check out the link below to learn more about the group and student volunteers:

http://www.slu.edu/x39561.xml

Julie Holmes Award for Professional Excellence in Service to the Community

Graduating MOT student Lindsey Scoles is this year's recipient of the Julie Holmes Award for Professional Excellence in Service to the Community.

The award is in tribute to Julie Holmes, a 1998 graduate from the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Ms. Holmes’s legacy is that of a passionate young woman in service to those with disabilities, especially children and their families.  This award recognizes the exceptional student occupational therapist that characterizes and exemplifies Ms. Holmes’s commitment to volunteerism and spirit of advocacy for occupational justice.

Please join the department in congratulating Lindsey on this achievement!

Teen Connection in Post Dispatch

Click here to check out today's article on SLU OT's Teen Connection!