School & Alumni News

TWU occupational therapy alumna Aimee Piller, PhD '16, featured on AOTA podcast

9/29/21

TWU occupational therapy alumna Aimee Piller, PhD '16, was the featured guest on AOTA's Everyday Evidence podcast. She discussed generating, implementing and promoting evidence in pediatric occupational therapy practice.

TWU provides unique camp experience for children with cerebral palsy

8/23/21

Texas Woman’s University School of Occupational Therapy faculty members are always searching for ways to combine research and therapy that not only aids patients but also contributes to new knowledge in their profession. This summer, they were able to do both by providing children with cerebral palsy a camp to improve the use of their upper extremities and have fun in the process.

TWU faculty and students use occupational therapy to alleviate trauma in minors

7/19/21

When Dallas opened an emergency shelter for unaccompanied minors fleeing violence in North Central America in spring 2021, Texas Woman’s School of Occupational Therapy faculty and students jumped at the opportunity to use their skills to help. Much like when the field of occupational therapy supported people experiencing occupational deprivation in the old psychiatric hospitals and tuberculosis asylums 100 years ago, this shelter needed help to provide meaningful activities and support an environment that allowed minors to heal.

TWU occupational therapy graduate has a passion for helping others

4/29/21

Houston native Anthony Bui wanted to make a difference in the world, but wasn’t sure how to accomplish that. He knew it would involve serving others, though, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps right after graduating high school. Now, he’s set to receive his Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree in Texas Woman’s May 2021 Houston commencement ceremony.

TWU alumnus, faculty member awarded for career of service

12/3/20

From a young age, Texas Woman’s alumnus and School of Occupational Therapy Associate Clinical Professor William Sit (MA ’99, PhD ’04), wanted to pursue a career in healthcare and volunteer in various settings. Those desires have led him to a three-decades-long career as an occupational therapist, inspired a passion for teaching and resulted in him being named 2020 Texas Occupational Therapist of the Year by the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA).

TWU Houston School of Occupational Therapy named for alumna Dr. Sophie Rydin

11/13/20

Texas Woman’s University is honoring the legacy of Dr. Sophie Lin Rydin, occupational therapy alumna (MOT ’78, PhD ’07) and adjunct professor, through the naming of the Dr. Sophie Lin Rydin School of Occupational Therapy - TWU Houston Center.

TWU alumnus finds new purpose in helping others through occupational therapy

9/21/20

When the infinite cycle of sales quotas, corporate ladder expectations and ethical dilemmas finally became too much for former sales associate and Texas Woman’s alumnus Christopher Villarreal (MOT ’17), he decided to go back to school and pursue his earlier dream of occupational therapy. That decision has not only awarded him a more fulfilling life, but it continues to enable him to affect positive change in this world.

Faith and Focus: TWU OT alumna Christina Hill finds success through adversity

7/29/20

As a child growing up in Greenville, Texas, Texas Woman’s occupational therapy alumna Christina Hill (MOT ’14) combatted issues of alcoholism, drug addiction and poverty within her family and herself. But with the help of her faith, the discipline of martial arts, and most importantly, the support of her son and husband, she has dedicated her life to helping others persevere through their own struggles.

OT faculty member Tina Fletcher credited for role in DMA award

5/27/20

A Dallas Museum of Art official says TWU's Tina Fletcher was instrumental to a recent exhibition and its catalogue, which won a "best in show" award in the Texas Association of Museums publication design competition.

A life of service: TWU alumna demonstrates commitment to patients and country

5/6/20

As both a health care professional and an officer in the U.S. Army, Texas Woman’s alumna Maj. Katie Odom (BS ’07, MOT ’09), serves her patients and her country every day. Now the recipient of the prestigious Interallied Confederation of Medical Reserve Officers Martelet Cup, she continues to be grateful for the foundation she received from TWU and the amazing experiences the Army has provided.

TWU professor uses grant to help create autism-friendly community events

4/14/20

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience many challenges when it comes to participating in social activities in their communities, and as a result, are frequently underemployed, bullied or lonely. Thanks to a $267,477 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Woman’s Occupational Therapy faculty member Tina Fletcher EdD, MFA, OTR, is addressing this problem.

TWU graduate student trains next generation of occupational therapists

2/4/20

Lou Ann Hintz, Texas Woman’s PhD in occupational therapy student and recipient of a Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarship, first heard the words “occupational therapy” when she was just 9 years old. From that day forward, she knew she wanted to have a job where she could help others by making them feel better despite having medical conditions and being separated from their families.

Texas Woman’s holds annual occupational therapy lecture, workshop

1/14/20

The Texas Woman’s University School of Occupational Therapy will host its 27^th annual Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship at the T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center (5500 Southwestern Medical Ave., Dallas, TX 75235-7299) on Friday, Feb. 7.

Fletcher brings Autism awareness events to students and DFW community

9/3/19

Eight years ago, TWU Occupational Therapy professor Tina Fletcher, EdD, MFA, OTR, collaborated with the Dallas Museum of Art to host sensory friendly events to build autism awareness and bring OT training and teaching opportunities to her students. The events have now expanded across Dallas and influenced museum planners and therapists across the globe.

TWU alumnus and hospital CEO Charles E. Williams is building a foundation for continuous quality care

8/26/19

The Regional Medical Center's President and Chief Executive Officer Charles E. Williams compares his duty to provide quality care to that of building a home. Ensuring a good foundation undergirded by the strength of community involvement and support is where he has started. Williams received his bachelor’s degree in community health/health studies and his master’s in occupational therapy, both from Texas Woman's University. He was the first person in his family to go to college and later earned a second master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas in Arlington in 2001.

Camp benefits children, OT students

8/22/19

Graduate students in occupational therapy worked alongside Scottish Rite’s neurology and occupational therapy research teams this summer to implement a constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) camp for children diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. It was the second year TWU students have participated in the camp, and assistant professor Heather Roberts, PhD, says it will be an annual event.

Roberts and adjunct faculty member Angela Shierk, PhD, worked with approximately 40 TWU occupational therapy students during the two-week camp held at Scottish Rite Hospital in Frisco.

TWU hosts Autism Awareness night at Frisco RoughRiders ballpark

4/12/19

Texas Woman's University faculty and students hit a home run in early April when they managed an Autism Awareness Night for children and their families at a Frisco RoughRiders baseball game. According to Gwen Weatherford, director of TWU's sport management program, the baseball team specifically requested support from TWU. Twenty TWU occupational therapy students and faculty members managed the event, with hosting support from TWU students in sport management and kinesiology

Yvonne M. Randall, EdD, to receive TWU Distinguished Alumni Award

3/5/19

Yvonne M. Randall, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, CFD, (BS '87) will be honored as one of two TWU Distinguished Alumni on Friday, April 12, 2019, in the Blagg-Huey Library. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to a graduate of Texas Woman’s University. Recipients represent the high ideals of the university demonstrated in a lifetime of professional accomplishment, leadership and service which brings honor to the recipient and the university. Randall is an occupational therapist currently serving as chair of the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Action Committee and associate dean in the College of Health and Human Services, Touro University Nevada.

TWU developing technology to improve quality of life for clients “living in place”

9/19/18

A new app aims to make home assessments easier for clinicians and home owners, while providing more consistent and thorough results. 

Journal of Museum Education publishes TWU OT professor's sensory research

1/31/18

"Can sensory gallery guides for children with sensory processing challenges improve their museum experience?"

Tina S. Fletcher, associate professor of occupational therapy at Texas Woman's University, Amanda B. Blake and Kathleen E. Shelffo explore whether museum gallery guides for sensory avoiders and seekers could be utilized with children with sensory sensitivities to help them prepare for and participate in museum experiences. Results showed combining both sensory avoiding and seeking gallery guides into one sensory friendly gallery guide can have a positive impact on a child’s museum experience. 

OT students partner with Dallas Arboretum for Sensory Friendly Family Day

10/30/17

When the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden hosted its Autumn at the Arboretum Sensory Friendly Family Day on Sunday, Nov. 5., students from Texas Woman’s University’s School of Occupational Therapy were there to help guests as they explored special sensory-friendly exhibits.