Capstone Presentations from 2025
Early Intervention for Adulthood: Occupational Therapy’s Vital Role in Secondary Transition Services, Carolyn A. Blatchford
Chronic Care Connections: Occupational Therapy in Rural, Primary Care, Jayden Renee Bormann
Making a Splash: Exploring the Effectiveness of Aquatic Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Avery Brockberg
An Occupation-Based Intervention Program to Address the Mental Health Needs of Students in Rural School Systems, Caitlin A. Butterfield and Mackenzie Feldhacker OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
Empowering Caregivers: Enhancing Early Intervention Through the Coaching Model, Lindsay M. Carlson
Rays of Resilience:TBRI® Nurture Group© Intervention for Improved Social-Emotional Development in Head Start, Madison Carlson
Mealtime Mastery: A Quality Improvement Project for Pediatric Feeding Therapy, Jada D. Cunningham
Preparing Young Learners: Using Occupational Therapy to Promote Kindergarten Readiness at the YMCA., Zoey Eastman
Serving Rural America: Occupational Therapy's Role in Agriculture, Kaiya R. Gieseke
Breaking Barriers: Exploring Collaboration Between OT and ABA, Grace Elizabeth Hayworth
Limitless: Transforming Lives through Adaptive Sports, Virtual Reality, and Occupational Therapy, Justin R. Kooiman
Exploring Occupational Therapy's Role in Seating and Mobility and Assistive Technology Services in Adults with Neurological Conditions, Kathryn R. Larsen
Mind over Matter: A Theory-based Approach to Enhancing Functional Cognition with Occupational Therapy, Amanda Marx
Sketching Moments: Improving Quality of Life for Individuals with Dementia by Engaging the Senses Through Environmental Modifications, Marie E. McLaughlin
Beyond the Flames: Occupational Therapy Approaches to Address Pain Management, Mental Health, and Occupational Engagement in Burn Patients, Mackenzie Mertz
Utilizing Trauma-Informed Universal and Targeted Occupational Therapy Interventions in a School Setting, Maciah L. Nobles
A Sensory Group Program for General and Special Education Elementary Students, Kamryn J. Olness
Silent Sparks: Gaining Clinical Experience to Implement an Occupation-Based Program in a Birth-3 Group with Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Children, Sydney Patrow and Moses Ikiugu
Implementing an Art-Based Occupational Therapy Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being for Domestic Violence Survivors, Kameron A. Sievert
Empowering Families: Enhancing Early Intervention Through Caregiver Coaching, Kylie G. Wersal
Capstone Presentations from 2024
Implementing the COPM to Create Occupation-Based Interventions in Outpatient Adult Rehabilitation, Kelcee A. Bacon
Say Neigh to Poor Health: Exploring the Impact of Equine Assisted Services on Children's Health, Courtney S. Barrus
Your Mind Matters: Promoting the Wellbeing of the Parent-Child Dyad through Family Education, McKayla A. Becker
Filling the Gap: Educating Caregivers and Patients Post Stroke in an Acute Care Setting, Gabrielle A. Blecke
Play, Splash, Ride: A Multidimensional Approach to Occupational Therapy Intervention for Sensory Processing Difficulties, Britney A. Bradwisch
Occupational Therapy’s Role as a Member of an Interdisciplinary Feeding Team for Children with Sensory Processing Differences, Emily G. Bruinsma
Sensory Processing Difficulties in Children Born Preterm and The Needs of Their Families, Shelby J. Buie
Enhancing Resident Engagement: Optimizing Meaningful Occupations in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Drew J. Couch
Lifestyle Redesign: The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN, Seth Crocker
Promoting Life Skills Through an Occupation-based Program for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System, Maggie L. DeJong
Empowering Pregnancy and Postpartum: Supporting Motherhood Through Occupational Therapy Education, Alison Drexler
A Community Re-Integration Mental Health Occupational Therapy Program for Veterans at the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Hospital, Holly M. Forrester
Promoting Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development for Children in a School Setting using Targeted Occupational Therapy Intervention, Mykenzie N. Hall
Exploring Occupational Therapy’s Role in Childcare Settings, MaKayla Hamling
Facilitating Community Integration Following Inpatient Rehabilitation: The Importance of Caregivers, Alysa N. Jensen
Occupational Therapy Services in Pediatric Mental Health, Hallie Jerome
Incorporating Music into Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Abby Kays
An Eye-Opening Capstone: A New Perspective on Occupation-Based Treatments for Neurologic-Based Visual Deficits, Katlyn J. Knakmuhs
S.M.A.R.T. Program Implementation to Promote Engagement and Participation in a School Setting, Emily Mickelson
Promoting Wakefulness to Increase Occupational Engagement in Military Service Members Experiencing Insomnia Following mTBI, Leah N. Myers
A Program Based on Meaningful Occupations to Improve Perceived Health and Well-being for People Experiencing Homelessness, Annika Overgaard
Occupational Therapy Intervention to Promote Recovery of Individuals Impacted by Human Trafficking and Service Provider Well-being, Carlyn J. Paxton
Quality of Life and Well-Being of Breast Cancer Patients While Following a Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Surveillance Protocol, Madisen L. Prasek
The Importance of Preferred Meaningful Occupations for Children with Medically Complex Conditions, Kaylee S. Schmit
A Peer-Mediated Art Program for Secondary Education Students: An Occupation Based Approach, Kjersten B. Sievers
Nature-Based Occupational Therapy as an Innovative Approach in Facilitating Children’s Development, Surekchha Siwakoti
Animal-Assisted Therapy in an Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy Setting, Peyton N. Stolle
Restoring Meaning through Leisure: Exploring the Benefits of Leisure-Focused Occupational Therapy for Individuals with Neurological Diagnoses, Elizabeth Rose Stoutland
Incorporating Occupation-Based Activities into Treatment for Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders to Increase Self-Efficacy, Brea E. Westberg
Daring to be Different: Promotion of Child Development and Family Wellness in a Cash-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice, Kylee Withrow
Healing Horses: An Occupational Therapy Approach in an Equine Environment, Ashlyn Renee Yoder
Capstone Presentations from 2023
Physical and Psychological Impacts of Burn Injuries on the Pediatric Population and Their Families: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Sadie E. Anderson
Mobile Munchies: An Occupation-Based Transitional Skills Program for Adolescents, Reilly S. Dujmovic
Welcoming Wellness: A Health Promotion and Chronic Condition Prevention Program Rooted in the Foundations of Occupational Therapy, Karlee G. Duncan
Occupational Therapy's Role in Helping Individuals in the US Justice System Transition from Incarceration to the Community, Kathryn E. Foster
The Relevance of Sensory-based Intervention in Improving Occupational Performance in Pediatrics, Jasmine M. Fritzemeier
Restoring Identity for the Homeless: Exploring Occupational Therapy Services for Unhoused Populations, Christina E. Geistfeld
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Meeting Mental Health Needs of College Students in the South Dakota Regental University System, Molly J. Graesser
Occupational Therapy in Family Education: Fourth Trimester Wellness to Kindergarten Readiness, Gabrielle Madeline Hagen
Occupational Therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) & Implementation of the Test of Infant Motor Performance, Juliana C. Keane
Occupation-Based Sexual Health Education for Adolescents with Disabilities, Elizabeth J. Klocke
Promoting Social-Emotional Development in Preschool Children using a Trauma Informed, Sensory Integrative Approach, Sarah M. McGoldrick
An Occupational Therapy Program for Improving Caregiving Performance and Satisfaction with Performance among Caregivers for Individuals with Neurological Conditions, Andrea Marie Molus
Sensory Integration: Improving Participation, Behavior, and Learning in Individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder, Brooklyn K. Osborne
Treating Cognition Through Occupational Performance in Individuals With Neurological Disorders in Home Health, Alcina J. Park
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Pediatric Aquatic-Based and Land-Based Therapy, Danielle E. Scheck
Improving Residents' Access to Occupational Therapy Services in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Screen for Declining Performance in Activities of Daily Living, Amy N. Scheidecker
Kids and Canines: PAWSitively Impacting Occupational Therapy Outcomes, Jessica M. Simon
Promoting Participation and Engagement in Meaningful Activities Amongst Residents at a Long-Term Care Facility, Tanner Steineke
Promoting Successful Discharges From Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Units Among Older Adults, Melissa A. Tweet
Relaxation as an Intervention for Military Service Members Experiencing ANS Dysregulation Following mTBI, Tori Julianne VanVelzen
Addressing the Needs of Parkinson’s Disease Care Partners, Jenna Wall
Promoting Sleep Hygiene for Individuals Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease: Occupational Therapy’s Distinct Role, Hunter O. Wookey
Capstone Presentations from 2022
The Typical Toddler: Diet and Approaches to Picky Eating, Carissa Adams
Understanding Advocacy for Promoting Occupational Engagement among Individuals with Disabilities, Rebecca L. Benson
Enhancing Life: Promoting Meaningful Interventions to Support Individuals with Dementia, Keelan N. Blasius
An Occupation-Based Approach to Empower Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Sydney L. Bodensteiner
Promoting Mental Health of Middle and High School Students Using Universal and Targeted Strategies, Alyssa E. Brown
Occupational Therapy in Oncology Care: Methods for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue, Marissa Emberly Cardenas
Expanding the Role of Occupational Therapy for Oncology Patients: A Focus on Tumor- and Blood-Based Cancers, Erika N. Clark
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Sensory Play Education in Daycare Setting, Bianca K. Claussen
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Music Student Health, Katie Ericsson
Promoting Occupational Therapy Involvement in End-of-Life Care Through Advocacy and Education, Macey Genzlinger
Mending the Mind: Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy for Executive Dysfunction Post-Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Shannon E. Hegland
Meeting Mental Health Needs of Parents Caring for Children with Disabilities by Facilitating Occupational Balance and Well-being, Emily J. Heumiller
Exploring Occupational Therapy in Perinatal Care: Promoting the Mental Health and Well-Being of Women During and After an Unplanned Pregnancy, Sydney M. Korn
Hula as a Protective Factor that Improves the Quality of Life to Those Who Dance in a Hula, Pepper T. Lum-Lung
Impact of Stigma on Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for School-Based Occupational Therapists, Sidney M. McReynolds Mrs.
Investigating the Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on IADL Performance, Emphasizing the Need for Earlier Diagnosis and the Value of Timelier Occupational Therapy Intervention, Brittney N. Moser
Occupational Therapy and Continuous Care: Pediatric Rehabilitation for Children with Medically Complex Conditions and Severe Burns, Elise M. Mueller
Supporting the Role of Professional Caregivers in Long-Term Care: Education, Training, and Caregiver Mental Health interventions that Promote Dementia Care Excellence, Katelyn A. Nelson
Application of Ergonomics in Healthcare through Environmental Adaptations, Johnny Nguyen
OT Entrepreneurship: Perceived Challenges & Resources, Gunnar Daniel Olson
Occupational Therapy’s Role in The Holistic Management of Chronic Pain, Megan K. Rodahl
The Aquatic Environment as a Tool for Facilitating Sensory Processing and Regulation, Christian Schneider
Promoting Engagement in a School Setting, Jordyn M. Sippel
Promoting Inclusive Play and Social Skills Development in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg, South Dakota, Madison C. Snelling
Incorporating Trust-Based Relational Intervention in Occupational Therapy to Address Mental Health Needs of Elementary Students, Maci K. Stouffer
Occupational Therapy Education to Support Families Affected by Huntington's Disease and Their Care Team, Morgan R. Weber
Rehabilitation Through Reintegration: Supporting Survivors of Stroke, Alexander T. Wiemann