Lisa Simmons, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist (OT) and currently serves as the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director at Trinity Washington University. With years of experience working directly with patients, Simmons loves that now as an educator, she is training the next generation of OT practitioners. Her passion for occupational therapy and helping students brought her to pursue a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP).
Prior to enrolling at RMUoHP, Simmons worked as an OT in various locations around the country. “I started working in skilled nursing facilities in Maryland and Washington, DC,” said Simmons. She then moved into a hospital-based acute care psychiatric unit where, during her three years there, moved into middle management and became the outpatient lead therapist. Simmons has also worked in acute care hospitals, acute rehabilitation at a level one trauma center, and an outpatient rehabilitation facility.
Simmons earned a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy from Tuskegee University and a master’s in management with a concentration in healthcare from the University of Maryland University College. “I decided to attend RMUoHP after speaking with my peers in academia and in the clinic. Everyone shared positive experiences with RMUoHP and expressed how their degree has helped their careers.” So in 2019 Simmons applied and got accepted into the OTD program.
“My intent of earning this doctorate was to open more doors in academia. I want to work with a broader variety of students: MOT, OTD, OTA, and various allied health and health services programs,” said Simmons.
Her efforts throughout the program will make a direct impact on her work and the students she teaches. For her capstone, she is creating a proposed faculty development program. “The focus is on helping OT faculty at Trinity Washington University to be more effective facilitators of online education.”
Simmon’s goal is to help OT clinicians become better educators for their students. To accomplish this, Simmons has created a five-module evidence-based program with four asynchronous modules and one synchronous module. “The asynchronous modules are to be completed through Moodle, Trinity’s online learning management system, and the synchronous module is to be completed via Zoom due to current COVID-19 capacity restrictions,” said Simmons. “During asynchronous modules faculty will complete learning activities that include reflection statements and discussion posts.”
Part of Simmons desire to improve the effectiveness of OT education is due to her love of OT itself. “I love the fact that I can do so much within this profession,” said Simmons. “As an OT educator, I love that I am working to train the next generation of OT practitioners. I always tell my students that they will be my colleagues after graduation, not just former students. My favorite quote to my students is, ‘I am here to help you succeed, not watch you fail.’”
Those connections with students are important. Simmons notes the importance of the connections she’s made in the OTD program as well. Simmons met her classmates during their first onsite visit; they became friends who supported each other throughout their education. “We truly became a part of each other’s support system,” said Simmons.
While the journey may not be easy, it’s important to celebrate the small successes and learning opportunities. “Whether in academia or in a clinic, making a mistake is an opportunity to learn. Learn what worked and what didn’t. Learning how to be successful is a progression to becoming successful,” said Simmons.
“Occupational therapy is not the profession to get rich; occupational therapy is the profession to make a difference,” said Simmons. Her progression in the OTD program and her capstone project are helping her to make a difference for OT educators and future OT practitioners.
— Jennifer Fletcher, RMUoHP Content Writer & Editor
