Theory and Evidence-Based Practice Related to Human Occupation SOPC
Bridge the gap between education and practice
The Theory and Evidence-Based Practice Related to Human Occupation Scholarship of Practice Collaborative emphasizes bridging the gap between education and practice. Our focus is to strategically apply theory and evidence to improve client outcomes across the lifespan. The aim of the collaborative is to provide resources for care providers to deepen the utility of theory-based practice and therefore improving services to a broader community.
Promoting healthy and productive aging
Jenica Lee’s scholarship seeks to understand supports and barriers to everyday technology use and participation in meaningful activities at home, work and in the community as people age. She aims to develop and implement best practice assessments and resources to promote healthy productive aging and caregiver support.
Learn more about Jenica’s scholarship
Email jenlee22@uic.edu
Promoting occupational therapy with cancer survivors and incorporating mental wellness strategies in outpatient settings
Caitlin Smith works to increase awareness of providers and survivors on the benefits of occupational therapy for addressing the long-term side effects of cancer treatment and promoting a transition to full, healthy lifestyles. She is also interested in increasing the tools and strategies for OTs to address mental health needs in outpatient therapy population with both pediatric and adult clients.
Learn more about Caitlin’s scholarship
Email cksmith@uic.edu
Expanding the occupational therapy practitioner’s role in sexuality and intimacy
Jennifer Summers’ research interests are related to occupations associated with sexuality and intimacy for the disability community including dating, sexually expression, sexuality identity empowerment, sexual activity and reproduction. She also is involved with scholarship related to teaching and learning practices for health providers as they transition into academicians.
Learn more about Jennifer’s scholarship
Email jfries5@uic.edu
Student members
Student members are central to the collaborative. They work with faculty to design and conduct innovative capstone projects that are responsive to the needs of community partners.
Students
| Class of 2025 student members | Class of 2026 student members | Class of 2027 student members |
|---|---|---|
| Leslie Everhart | Asianna Griffin | Adellin Fernandez |
| Lindsey Heiss | Elizabeth Hume | Katie Hetzel |
| Samantha Libman | Lejla Jakupovic | Anna Kuechenberg |
| Malynn Tu | Natalie McCormack | Grainne McDonagh |
| Melissa Wen | Natalia Syutyk | Olivia Newmark |
| Joseph Talbot | Danielle Pullen | |
| Hannah Wang | Joey Tepper | |
| Jennifer Zundel |
SOPC in action
We are delighted to share that our first 5 student members are preparing to publicly present on their capstone projects this week at our first-annual ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Practice Poster Symposium‘. We are confident that they are ready to lead their audience in meaningful knowledge exchange.
Our preview video below describes project topics that are responsive to the needs of more than 5 sites. Projects have ranged from focusing on a strategic process of applying theory and evidence to understand and improve interventions for diverse clients (e.g., persons with neurological conditions, families of individuals with Down Syndrome as they age), when working with architects to design inclusive spaces, and within a cancer organization that delivers virtual programming to promote participation. Students successfully accessed their faculty advisor, site mentor, capstone coordinator, and peers within this SOPC for mentorship in rigorously conducting their projects this year in ways that advance conceptually grounded OT practice.
As our Class of 2025 student members worked to deliver on their projects, our next group of 7 members in the Class of 2026 started to define the scope of their capstone projects this Spring and another 8 members from the Class of 2027 join the collaborative. Stay tuned to learn how the next group of capstone projects take shape in ways that live up to the high expectations set by our first cohort of students.
Class of 2025 Capstone Project Preview
Questions?
Questions?
Want to learn more about the Theory and Evidence-Based Practice Related to Human Occupation SOPC? Curious how this collaborative fits in with your career and education goals?
Contact Mary at:
Email mkhetani@uic.edu