Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
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2025 scholarly project and capstone presentations for the degree of occupational therapy doctorate
51 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.
For questions, please contactalexia.metz@utoledo.edu
Classof2025 scholarly project presentations
Joint Presentation
Juliana Allan, Kaleigh McCormick, and Madison Pearl
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Alexia E. Metz, Ph.D., OTR/L
Joint Presentation
Carolyn Contonio, Emma Kennedy, Shiloh Reynolds, and Hannah Waite
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Joint Presentation
Allison Drees, Lauren Fiorletta, Morgan Rieman
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Sarah Long, Ph.D., AT, ATC
Joint Presentation
Tatum Dusseau-Johnson and Kierra Meyer
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Nicole Stotz, Ph.D., OTR/L
Joint Presentation
Kayla Kindle-Bunch, Addison Kittel, and Samantha Stanley
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Kelsey Kitchel
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Joint Presentation
Nicole Langenderfer and Kelsey Martz
Scholarly Project Presentation
Research Advisor: Laura Schmelzer, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Classof2024 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, Ph.D., OTR/L
Carolyn Contonio
Capstone Presentation, Advocacy Plan
Site: University of Toledo, Human Resources
Site Mentor: Payton Beechler, MBA
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
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, Ph.D., OTR/L
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, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
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, Ph.D., OTR/L
Kayla Kindle-Bunch
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Family House
Site Mentor: Johnathan Nichols, MPA
Faculty Mentor: Laura Schmelzer, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
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, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Addison Kittel
Capstone Presentation, Advocacy Plan
Site: Black Paw Canine
Site Mentor: Benjamin Brockway M.T.
Faculty Mentor: Alexia E. Metz, Ph.D., 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, Ph.D., OTR/L
Kelsey Martz
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: DaZy Aphasia Center
Site Mentor: Adrienne Lang, M.S., CCC/SLP
Faculty Mentor: Laura Schmelzer, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Kaleigh McCormick
Capstone Presentation, Program Development Plan
Site: Five Lakes Church
Site Mentor: Pastor Dan Pratt
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
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
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
Morgan Rieman
Capstone Presentation, Program Modification Plan
Site: The Meadows of Ottawa
Site Mentor: Lauren Schroeder, OTD, OTR/L
Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Hatkevich, Ph.D., 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, Ph.D., OTR/L
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.