ATSU OT students work on developing hands-on skills while learning from alumna

ATSU OT students work on developing hands-on skills while learning from alumna

Earlier this semester, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) students at A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) had the opportunity to learn from one of the program's alumna who is actively working as a specialist in the field.

Tara Wright, MSOT, '20, is a certified hand therapist at Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona, specializing in treating the upper extremities. She joined second-year MSOT students on Aug. 27, for the program's splinting fabrication lab.

Invited to join by program director and assistant professor Jennifer Radziak OTD, OTR/L, CHT, Wright said, "It's been a little surreal being back in this room where I made my first splints and thinking about what I do now, where I can make anywhere between three or five splints a day."

As a student in the MSOT program, Wright participated in the same lab, which partially ignited her interest in pursuing hand therapy and prepared her for practice today.

"I am pretty artsy when it comes to stuff, so I really felt like splinting was a combination of art and science and applying what I've learned in school to something that was artistic and unique to the patient. No splint ever looks the same on any person, so it's always nice to be able to have that freedom of creativity to make something that's going to benefit the patient," she said.

Wright's visit not only gave students insight into the practical application of their lab skills, but also highlighted the program's success in preparing graduates for specialized roles in occupational therapy.

"It's been really nice to pay it forward and pass on all the stuff I've learned to people who might be interested in hand therapy as well," Wright added.