2025 scholarly project and capstone presentations for the degree of occupational therapy doctorate
UToledo Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) students presented their final projects in partial fulfillment of their doctoral degrees, Tuesday, April 29th; Wednesday, April 30th; and Thursday, 2025.
Scholarly Project Presentations
Capstone Presentations
Presentations were held in the Collier Building on the Health Science Campus in six time periods, each with two concurrent sessions. Each presenting student was allotted 15 minutes with five for discussion (questions and comments welcomed and encouraged). Presentations were recorded via an in-room lecture capture system.
curriculum design
A curriculum is both an artifact that transmits time honored values, beliefs, and principles and a dynamic framework to meet contemporary and future societal and professional needs. The faculty of the UToledo Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program plan, implement, and systematically evaluate the OTD curriculum using four organizing elements: Practice, Advocacy, Research, and Autonomous Decision Making (PARADM). The curriculum prepares occupational therapists who are competent, ethical, and life-long learners.
scholarly projects
The 2018 Standards for an accredited educational program for the Occupational Therapist, officially adopted by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, require that graduates of OTD programs have the ability to design and implement a research study. In conducting an individualized research project, the OTD student learns to appreciate the process of scientific inquiry and gains valuable insight for evidence-informed practice. Working with their faculty advisors, OTD students conduct research that advances knowledge and practice in occupation-based therapeutic approaches. Scholarly project presentations represent the culmination of a 12-credit hour course series. Written disseminations of each project are available through the catalog of Mulford Library.
capstone experience
Given dynamic patterns of occupational therapy practice, the future will require therapists to be autonomous decision-makers. The Capstone Experience prepares OTD students by allowing them to plan and pursue a highly individualized semester of study at a self-selected site. The student receives mentorship of an on-site mentor as well as an academic faculty mentor. The capstone experience is introduced and planned throughout the didactic curriculum. It occurs as a 12-credit-hour course load in curriculum’s final semester, after 24 weeks of full-time supervised fieldwork. It is a full-time, 15-week, on-site experience including practicum with a major project, mentored studies, and a written dissemination. Capstone project types reflect the PARADM curriculum design, including Case Study, Program Development Plan, Program Modification Plan, Course Development, Advocacy at the Organizational Level, Advocacy at the Journal Level, and Research. Written disseminations of each project are available through the catalog of Mulford Library.
For questions, please contact alexia.metz@utoledo.edu
Class of 2025 scholarly project presentations
Joint Presentation
The influence of the number of toys on the play of preschool-aged children.
Juliana Allan, Kaleigh McCormick, and Madison Pearl
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Alexia E. Metz, PhD, OTR/L
Joint Presentation
Perspectives of Transitioning into Adulthood with IDD
Carolyn Contonio, Emma Kennedy, Shiloh Reynolds, and Hannah Waite
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Joint Presentation
How Students Experience the Use of Clinical Logbooks During Occupational Therapy Fieldwork
Allison Drees, Lauren Fiorletta, Morgan Rieman
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Sarah Long, PhD, AT, ATC
Joint Presentation
Tatum Dusseau-Johnson and Kierra Meyer
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
Joint Presentation
Properties of the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS) within a Low-Income Sample
Kayla Kindle-Bunch, Addison Kittel, and Samantha Stanley
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Exploring Gender Differences and Similarities in Time-Use and Meaningful Engagement
Kelsey Kitchel
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Joint Presentation
The Use of Orthoses in Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty
Nicole Langenderfer and Kelsey Martz
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Class of 2024 capstone presentations
Juliana Allan
Capstone Presentation, Advocacy Plan
Site: Northwest Ohio Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Site Mentor: Lisa Langhals, MFN, RDN, LD
Faculty Mentor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
Carolyn Contonio
Capstone Presentation, Advocacy Plan
Site: University of Toledo, Human Resources
Site Mentor: Payton Beechler, MBA
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
The Heart of Caregiving Program Development Plan at the Stroke Life Center
Allison Drees
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Stroke Life Center
Site Mentor: Cindy Roshon
Faculty Mentor: Lindsay Riegle, OTD, OTR/L
Tatum Dusseau-Johnson
Capstone Presentation, Program Modification Plan
Site: Concept Rehab
Site Mentor: Traci Witherspoon, OTR/L, Director of Clinical Development
Faculty Mentor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
Sensory-Friendly Programming for Worship Services
Lauren Fiorletta
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Christ the King Parish
Site Mentor: Dave Nuss, Reverend, Catholic Priest, Pastor
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
The EXSEL Program: EXemplary Social Emotional Learners
Emma Kennedy
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: We Rock The Spectrum - Cleveland
Site Mentor: Taylor Boggs, OTD, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Alexia E. Metz, PhD, OTR/L
Growing Together: An Occupation-Based Program for Parents facing Housing Insecurity
Kayla Kindle-Bunch
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Family House
Site Mentor: Johnathan Nichols, MPA
Faculty Mentor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Occupational Therapy for Concussion and Oculomotor Rehabilitation: A Case Study
Kelsey Kitchel
Capstone Presentation, Case Study
Site: The Ohio State University Dublin Outpatient Rehabilitation
Site Mentor: Cheryl Albrechta, MOT, OTR/L, BCPR
Faculty Mentor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Addison Kittel
Capstone Presentation, Advocacy Plan
Site: Black Paw Canine
Site Mentor: Benjamin Brockway M.T.
Faculty Mentor: Alexia E. Metz, PhD, OTR/L
Nicole Langenderfer
Capstone Presentation, Program Modification Plan
Site: UTMC Kobacker Center, Senior Behavioral Health Unit
Site Mentor: Lisa Melville, MS, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
The SAFE Living Program: An Occupation-based Safety Program for Individuals with Aphasia
Kelsey Martz
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: DaZy Aphasia Center
Site Mentor: Adrienne Lang, M.S., CCC/SLP
Faculty Mentor: Laura Schmelzer, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Kaleigh McCormick
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Five Lakes Church
Site Mentor: Pastor Dan Pratt
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Viking Voyagers: Set Sail for Kindergarten! – An Occupation-Based Kindergarten Readiness Program
Kierra Meyer
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Leipsic Local School
Site Mentor: Karen Gillespie, Leipsic Kindergarten Teacher
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
Social Superstars: Program Development Plan for GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland
Madison Pearl
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland
Site Mentor: Lizz Maxwell, Executive Director
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
Shiloh Reynolds
Capstone Presentation, Dissemination Type: Advocacy Plan
Site: Toledo Public Schools
Site Mentor: Sheron Garmon, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
Enhancing Vision: Bridging the Gap with Low Vision Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Morgan Rieman
Capstone Presentation, Program Modification Plan
Site: The Meadows of Ottawa
Site Mentor: Lauren Schroeder, OTD, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Samantha Stanley
Capstone Presentation, Advocacy Plan
Site: Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo Autism Center
Site Mentor: Ashley Heilman, OTD, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Nicole Stotz, PhD, OTR/L
Let’s Get Technological: A Program Modification for Implementing Technology in Inpatient Rehab
Hannah Waite
Capstone Presentation, Program modification plan
Site: Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio (RHNO)
Site Mentor: Karen Vander Vlucht, OTD, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Ally Baar, OTD, OTR/L
Acknowledgments
The OTD Program is happy to welcome Ms. Jill Yarberry aboard as our new secretary!
The faculty thank the members of our 2025 advisory group for their insight and encouragement: Dr. Cindy Bouillon, Ms. Jennifer Colwell, Ms. Sarah Flores, Ms. Marianne Hassen, Ms. Katie Holman, Dr. Sarah Long, Ms. Laurie Mitchell, Dr. Eric Polz, Ms. Barb Seguine, Dr. Emily Smith, , Dr. Eileen Quinn, Ms. Leslie Vassar, and Dr. Joe Wells.
We are grateful for the teaching and mentorship our students receive from our part-time faculty: Dr. Ally Baar, Ms. Jennifer Colwell, Dr. Lindsay Riegle, and Mrs. Rachel Stanton.
This year, many guest speakers and lab assistants have provided valuable contributions that enrich our curriculum: Ms. Jackie Chamberlain, Dr. Carly Dauch, Dr. Mary Dumas, Ms. Tammy Eisenreich, Ms. Ashley Harmon, Mr. James Kessler, Dr. Rachel Meinert, Gabby Mosiniak, Dr. Dan Osten, Mr. Mark Ruhe, Dr. Maddy Schnabel, and Ms. Hannah Tilton.
The American Occupational Therapy Association Vision 2030 reads “Enriching life for ALL individuals and society through meaningful engagement in everyday activities.” Our program strives to help the profession attain this vision through excellence in occupational therapy education. Every students’ efforts in class, lab, fieldwork, and capstone shapes the course of our progress. Thank you to the classes of 2027, 2026, and 2025 for their diligence now and going forward.