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2025 Winter Fest Speakers & Session Descriptions




Supporting the Diverse Needs of Today’s OT Students on Level II Fieldwork (1-Hour)


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Jessie Bricker


Jessie Bricker is Academic Fieldwork and Capstone Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Medicine at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Dr. Bricker has over 20 years of experience in clinical practice and has held multiple leadership and administrative roles in clinical and academic settings. She currently teaches content in professional identity development, health policy and capstone proposal development. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, and post-professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University. She lives in the St. Louis, MO area with her husband and four children.

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Jenny DeBourge, MS, OTR/L


Jenny DeBourge, MS, OTR/L has been working as an OT for 15+ years and has a variety of clinical experience ranging from adults to pediatrics. The majority of her clinical experience was in school-based occupational therapy. Jenny has worked as an academic fieldwork coordinator in an OTA program prior to being the Level I fieldwork and remediation support for the fieldwork office at Wash U Medicine. Jenny is currently working on her PP-OTD in which the focus is developing remediation guidelines for fieldwork education.

Session Abstract

 

Level II Fieldwork in occupational therapy education facilitates the transition from OT student into practitioner by allowing students to develop their entry-level clinical competency, and to support their ability to apply knowledge and skills gained through didactic education in a wide variety of practice settings (AOTA, 2022). Level II fieldwork can play an important role in shaping an OT student’s professional identity and confidence as an emerging practitioner (Andonian 2017). Numerous studies point to the impact Level II Fieldwork educators can have on OT student confidence. Student outcomes are more positive when fieldwork educators are highly communicative, attentive to student learning styles, and act as a resource and advocate to foster the student’s sense of belonging within the clinical setting (Edelist et al., 2024; Grenier, 2015; Koski et al., 2013; Rodger et al., 2014; Reid & Pride, 2023). Thus, is critical for fieldwork educators to recognize the diverse needs OT students and adopt teaching strategies that support learners while maintaining expectations for developing clinical competency. This highly interactive session will provide an overview of considerations for evolving clinical supervision practices to support our current generation of OT students. Participants will engage in discussion and development of action steps to enhance student learning in their own clinical settings, including inclusive teaching practices to promote OT student occupational balance, resilience, and mindful self-care strategies, as well as strategies to promote interaction management skills and response to feedback (Bricker et al., 2024; Taff et al.2023, Wang et al., 2024).


Learning Objectives


1. Describe general characteristics and perspectives of OT students today and considerations for meeting the diverse needs of learners in the Level II Fieldwork setting.
2. Develop strategies and identify tools to promote OT Student success on Level II fieldwork in their practice setting.


Feeding Assessment for the Pediatric Population (1-Hour)

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Isabelle Laposha, OTD, OTR/L


Isabelle “Izzy” Laposha, OTD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist practicing in St. Louis, MO. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with her doctorate of occupational therapy in 2019. In her current role, she provides pediatric outpatient occupational therapy services at the St. Louis Children’s Specialty Care Center – South County. She has specialized training in working with children experiencing feeding challenges, but treats children of a variety of ages and diagnoses. She also works as an Adjunct Faculty Member at the St. Charles Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

Session Abstract

 

This one-hour presentation serves as an overview of occupational therapy feeding assessment in the pediatric population. The presentation will outline the definition of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and its four associated domains (medical, nutritional, feeding skill and psychosocial dysfunction), which provide a useful framework to guide evaluation. Pediatric feeding assessment includes interview and observation related to a child’s medical history, developmental history, food preferences, typical feeding routines, oral motor skills and sensory processing skills; in this presentation, we will explore how each of these factors affect feeding. We will identify standardized feeding assessments for use with the pediatric population, and identify questions to guide the occupational therapist’s development of a feeding profile. The presentation will end with examples of feeding goals and commonly made referrals.



Learning Objectives


1. Identify the definition of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and identify four associated domains
2. Identify impact of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity on feeding
3. Select standardized feeding assessments for use with the pediatric population


Impact of the updated MO State Guidelines for school-based practice (1-Hour)

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Jacque Sample, DrOT, M.Ed., OTR/L


Jacque Sample, DrOT, M.Ed., OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist since 1998. She earned a Master’s in Special Education with a focus on Autism in 2009 and a Doctorate in OT in 2016, specializing in post-secondary transition for students with autism. While her career includes work in mental health, adult rehab, and orthopedics, she has focused primarily on pediatrics. Dr. Sample has held leadership roles in the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA), founded its Annual Hill Day, and advocated for policy changes, including expanded insurance coverage for children with developmental delays.

Session Abstract

 

The MO State Guidelines for OT/PT Practice in Public Schools have not been updated since 2009! A LOT has happened since then, including the passing of federal laws (Every Student Succeeds Act - ESSA) and changes in state Medicaid billing. This year, in 2024, new guidelines are finally drafted! This session will walk attendees through the changes to the document. We will discuss how to use this document to support the full scope of practice for occupational therapy within the schools and beyond handwriting. Attendees will be able to identify supports, discuss potential barriers, and work through real-life scenarios regarding what OT should look like in the schools. So, bring examples and all of your questions to this session!



Learning Objectives


1. Identify key updates in the 2024 Missouri State Guidelines for OT/PT Practice in Public Schools in response to changes in federal laws (ESSA) and state Medicaid billing.
2. Describe how to apply the updated guidelines to support the full scope of occupational therapy practice within schools, beyond just handwriting.
3. Analyze real-life scenarios and discuss potential barriers to implementing OT services in schools based on the new guidelines.


MOTA Hill Day 2025 (1-Hour)

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Mario Millsap, MS, OTR/L


Mario Millsap, MS, OTR/L, is a dedicated occupational therapist with a passion for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within both the profession and academia. He currently serves as the Director of Practice for MOTA, and as the President of the Missouri Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. Mario is also a Clinical Specialist at Washington University School of Medicine.


A proud graduate of the Class of 2020 from Washington University in St. Louis, Mario played an active role in leading numerous grassroots student initiatives focused on DEI and anti-racism during his time there. His commitment to these causes continued as he became involved in the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) as a new practitioner.

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Kyna Iman


Kyna Iman is a veteran lobbyist with nearly 30 years of experience in Missouri politics. Since 1993, she has operated her own one-person lobbying firm, Kyna Iman LLC, offering a personalized, hands-on approach to her clients. Iman’s career began at 20 when she interned with prominent lobbyist John Britton and helped pass a liquor control bill.


Her longest-standing client is the Missouri Arts Council, which she has represented since 1988. Iman has also lobbied for the American Red Cross, Missouri Nurses Association, and other organizations, focusing on causes she is deeply passionate about.

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Claire Schueler, MSOT, OTR/L


Claire Schueler, MSOT, OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist at the Special School District of St. Louis County, where she creates personalized activities and interventions to support the development of children and teenagers. She also serves as the current Vice President of MOTA, advocating for the growth and advancement of the profession in her community.


In addition to her clinical work, Claire teaches pediatrics part-time at a local university, mentoring the next generation of occupational therapists. With over 8 years of experience working PRN in inpatient rehab, Claire brings a diverse skill set to her work, blending pediatric therapy expertise with a strong background in rehabilitation.

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Jacque Sample, DrOT, M.Ed., OTR/L


Jacque Sample, DrOT, M.Ed., OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist since 1998. She earned a Master’s in Special Education with a focus on Autism in 2009 and a Doctorate in OT in 2016, specializing in post-secondary transition for students with autism. While her career includes work in mental health, adult rehab, and orthopedics, she has focused primarily on pediatrics. Dr. Sample has held leadership roles in the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA), founded its Annual Hill Day, and advocated for policy changes, including expanded insurance coverage for children with developmental delays.

Session Abstract

 

This session provides a comprehensive guide to participating in MOTA Hill Day, offering essential information on parking, attire, and what to bring, as well as an overview of the agenda and meeting etiquette. It includes talking points for advocating the role of occupational therapists (OTs) as qualified mobility experts, emphasizing their unique qualifications in evaluating and improving functional mobility.



Learning Objectives


1. Learn how to prepare for MOTA Hill Day, including parking logistics, appropriate attire, and key items to bring for a productive day of advocacy.
2. Gain a deeper understanding of the critical role OTs play in assessing and improving mobility and ambulation. OTs conduct comprehensive evaluations that consider physical, cognitive, and environmental factors to support functional independence.
3. Advocate for policies that promote independent living for individuals with mobility impairments by improving access to disability parking and fostering greater participation in community activities.