News

Three faculty members from the Department of Occupational Therapy traveled to Guatemala in July for a one week mission trip with the Cincinnati-based group called Mothers on a Mission (MOMs). While in Guatemala they visited several orphanages that cared for children who were abandoned, abused, neglected and handicapped. Occupational therapy services were provided to the children; additionally, education was provided to the caretakers of the children so that carryover of therapy can occur. The services and education focused on wheelchair positioning, feeding, and sensory/behavior concerns. The children of Guatemala captured the emotions and tugged at the heart strings of the three faculty members who had the privilege of working with them: Georganna Miller, Claire Morress, and Carol Scheerer.

FYI, the Department of Occupational Therapy plans to offer a similar experience for their undergraduate occupational therapy students next year in partial completion of a required course entitled Occupational Justice II where completion of service learning hours is a course requirement. Students will have the option to continue to complete their service learning hours in the local Cincinnati community working with an under-resourced population – or – they will have the new opportunity of completing their hours in Guatemala. During the upcoming school year final arrangements will be made. Check back for periodic updates.

View pictures in the Slideshow of the three faculty members in action.