ATSU’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program provides interprofessional education opportunities

ATSU's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program provides interprofessional education opportunities

A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Doctor of Occupational Therapy program student Anissa Evans, OTD, '26, is enjoying her experience on the University's Mesa, Arizona, campus. With graduate health science students pursuing degrees across several disciplines, a unique environment for interprofessional collaboration has been established.

"I really enjoy the interconnectedness the campus offers," Evans said. "Due to the fact that there are so many disciplines on campus, I feel I am able to learn about the different healthcare professions. This really enhances my knowledge for the future when we'll all be out in the field working together."

The campus experience isn't limited to coursework, however.

"I also really enjoy the different activities campus offers. For example, they bring food trucks in on Thursdays, and I like being able to try new foods. Student life also provides different tabling events for students to join in on. I think this is important as it offers students a way of stress relief between classes," she said.

Evans is from El Paso, Texas, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science from New Mexico State University.

"I choose to come to ATSU because being a part of a school that focuses on whole person healthcare and diversity is important to me. I really cherish the values ATSU focuses on. Working with underserved communities is highly important and through coming to this school I hope to be able to give back to my community back home," Evans said.

An engaged student, Evans is vice president and treasurer of ATSU's chapter of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), and a student ambassador.

"I really enjoy being a part of COTAD. The reason I joined is because I believe diversity is an important part of everyday life and will be important when working out in the world. By taking part in this organization, I have the opportunity to continue to learn about different cultures and celebrate the beauty within them," she said.

"I became a student ambassador to talk about how great of a school A.T. Still University is. Whenever I started my application process, I really enjoyed talking to other student ambassadors about the program. Talking to student ambassadors, I was able to get a better insight of what the program was like and how Arizona is. In becoming a student ambassador, I hope to have the same effect on prospective students. I enjoy talking to them and answering any questions they have, because I was in that same boat a year ago."

Outside of class, Evans enjoys reading and has started playing pickleball with a few of her classmates.

In the future, she hopes to work in either a neuro setting or as a pelvic floor specialist.

"ATSU is helping me in my decision by letting me explore my interests," she said. "The PT/OT clinic is a great example of this. I am able to observe pelvic floor sessions to gain a better understanding of how sessions usually go. The professors help guide us by providing information and answering any questions we might have."