Oral History Posters

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Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Marsha Waind, OTR/L

Patrick Finnegan and Jared Skoog

This project, one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, is titled Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.

The focus of this section was on Marsha Waind an occupational therapist practicing since 1975, with a majority of her career spent in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She was a graduate of the University of North Dakota Occupational Therapy Program in 1975. Marsha currently works for Altru Health System as the regional services manager. The interview with Marsha took place at her office in the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The interview was based on a qualitative research design with a focus on a life history approach. The Kawa Model helped to guide the development of some of the interview questions.

The semi-structured interview was guided by an interview schedule prepared by the project directors; the questions on the interview schedule were designed to be used with all the individuals as part of the larger project. The researchers were allowed to modify or add interview questions as needed for each specific interview.
Life History of Maggie Lesher, MA, OTR/L

Haley Folkens and Emily Roberts

This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of this project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.

An in-depth phone interview with Maggie Lesher, MA, OTR/L was conducted by two student researchers and both the student researchers and Maggie Lesher were in their homes at the time the phone interview took place. Maggie Lesher is a highly successful occupational therapist and is the founder of Children’s Theraplay – a home based agency with locations in Plymouth and Maplewood MN. Maggie has worked in multiple states and practice areas making the interview rich with information regarding occupational therapy practice.

The findings of this study will be archived and made available on the University of North Dakota (UND) OT website. Informed consent was obtained by the student researchers prior to completing the interview with Maggie Lesher. Careful consideration of the Kawa Model was kept by the researchers throughout this process to root the focus of the study on the overall life experiences of the participant (Teah & Iwama, 2015). Emphasis was placed on the barriers the participant experienced, her personal attributes, and the physical and social environments that surrounded Maggie Lesher (Teah & Iwama, 2015).
Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Charlie Baumer, COTA

Bailey Fruit and Hannah Williams

Charlie Baumer is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) who was interviewed by two year II occupational therapy students at the University of North Dakota at Casper College as part of a life history qualitative study. The interview was a semi-structured interview that lasted two hours with questions that were geared toward the history and evolution of occupational therapy in Wyoming. This single interview is a part of a larger life history qualitative study to gather information in regards to the history and evolution of occupational therapy practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through the life histories of occupational therapy in both states. The students designed a series of questions regarding Charlie's perspective on the profession, his experiences, and how the profession has changed in Wyoming overtime. This study is intended to contribute to current and future generations of occupational therapy practice has evolved over time in North Dakota and Wyoming. Upon data analysis, the students identified three categories, Legality, OT Practice, and Characteristics. Charlie demonstrated his passion for occupational therapy by sharing his experiences within the profession. His contribution to the profession indicated how occupational therapy has evolved in the state of Wyoming and how it will continue to evolve.
Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Dr. Hanson, OTR/L, FAOTA

Melissa Groth and Martha Scoby

Objective. The purpose of this qualitative life history study was to examine the life and work of Dr. Debra Hanson to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy in North Dakota and Wyoming from her perspective.

Method. An audio recorded semistructured interview was utilized to gather information and perspective from Dr. Hanson regarding her involvement in the evolution of occupational therapy practice. Dr. Hanson was one participant selected from a participant list compiled through purposive sampling by the project directors. The interview was transcribed and coded. Categories with corresponding themes and a final assertion emerged through the data analysis process.

Results. The predominant categories representing the professional life of Dr. Hanson included finding meaning and occupational identity, professional practice, and connectedness in the profession. The findings indicate that Dr. Hanson found meaning and satisfaction in her role as an occupational therapist by continued learning as well as connectedness to others and the profession.

Conclusion. Dr. Hanson has served as an instrumental leader in the development of occupational therapy throughout North Dakota and Wyoming. Her movements in scholarship and academia boosted occupational therapy as theoretical models and frames of reference developed in practice and as the program at UND developed in Casper, WY.
Life History of Art (Arthur) Heinze, OTR/L

Ashley Heinze and Katie Hautman

This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of OT practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how OT practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.
Life History of Dr. Sheri Montgomery, ORT/L, OTD

Mikaela Karpen and Stacy Sigmond

This life history one of 29 life history interviews that are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individual who have been influential in developing OT in these two state. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapist a view of the history and how OT practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.
Life History of Sonia Zimmerman, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

Emily Kollodge and Samantha Scheel

Occupational therapy (OT) has evolved over its 100 year existence as a profession. There are many individuals who facilitated changes in the profession, however not all of them are written about textbooks. This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy and North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of IT practice through the life history of an individual who has been influential in developing OT. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice, specifically in North Dakota and Wyoming.

Sonia Zimmerman, an OT educator and practitioner was the focus of this study. Her experiences span from practitioner to professor to volunteer and valued member of many organizations, She is currently a professor at the University of North Dakota (UND) where she graduated with her Bachelors of Science in occupational therapy with a psychology minor in 1977. Her experiences since then provide a deeper understanding of her role within the field of OT. She was interviewed at UND in a single interview session which lasted approximately 70 minutes.

A qualitative research design with a life history approach was used in this study. The life history approach focuses on a participant’s experiences and turning points within those experiences (Curtin & Fossey, 2007). This approach was chosen because it was determined to be a powerful way to gather information about each individual. The Kawa model was used to guide this research study in developing the interview questions and analyzing data.
Life History: Janet Salzwedel, OTR/L

Sadie Larson and Karissa Kempel

Objective. This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of this project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states.

Method. An in-depth interview was conducted with Janet Salzwedel in the comfort of her home. Categories and themes were synthesized from the interview to identify key turning points and trends that influenced her practice.

Results. The predominant categories that represented Janet's experience as an occupational therapist that were gathered through the interview were challenges, changes, clinical practice, and a good career. The findings indicate that Janet is a hard-working occupational therapist and has been able to overcome challenges within the profession to better serve clients. By collaborating with other health disciplines and using her therapeutic use of self, she has been able to help her clients recover and gain a greater quality of life.

Conclusion. Janet is a compassionate and enthusiastic occupational therapist that uses her positive personality traits, leadership skills, and drive to build rapport with clients. These characteristics have helped her to achieve the accomplishments she has made throughout her life. Janet has had a significant impact on the field of occupational therapy and serves as a model for others in the profession who must also balance multiple demands, and work as a collaborative team member to assist clients in achieving independence.
Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Nancy Rentfrow

Emma Lee and Maddi Buscho

This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of this project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. The study took place at the University of North Dakota Medicine and Health Sciences building and the interview was conducted using video conferencing. Participants were 29 current or former occupational therapists who at one time practiced in North Dakota or Wyoming and who are considered influential in developing the practice in those states. Overall, this study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.
Kathy Dolan Life History, MPA, OTR/L

Micaela Monn, Ashleigh Mora, and Amanda Steffen

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain a better understanding of the life experiences of Kathy Dolan, an influential occupational therapist in the development and advancement of the profession in the state of Wyoming. Purposive sampling was utilized by the project directors to obtain participants for the study. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview and observation. Interview questions were structured to address the person, environment, and occupation components influencing each participant. The Kawa model was also utilized to guide the interview schedule in order to develop a timeline of the participant’s life journey. Data from the interview was audio recorded, transcribed analyzed utilizing a coding process. Three categories emerged from this process: making a difference, being a pioneer, and adaptability. Results from the study found that Kathy Dolan was a pioneer in various populations and was an advocate at the local, state, and national level. Results also indicated that Kathy Dolan strongly believed in the adaptability and flexibility of occupational field, and that meeting the client’s needs is crucial to practice.
Life History of Dr. Charles Christiansen EdD, OTR/(C), FAOTA

Jordan Mooney and Ryan Walter

The purpose of the project was to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. For this particular life history, a semi-structured phone interview was conducted between the student researchers and Dr. Christiansen.The interview was audio recorded and later transcribed verbatim and coded. In addition to the phone interview, a curriculum vitae (CV) and Biosketch were obtained from Dr. Christiansen to appropriately depict the professional life and contributions he has made to the field of occupational therapy. For this research project, the Kawa theoretical model was followed to understand the flow of Dr. Christistian’s life work and how it fits into the greater scheme of occupational therapy. Through this process, the researchers have created the assertion that Dr. Christiansen’s passion and influence in occupational therapy flow from a lifetime of being shaped through experiences and personal interests in the field.
Life History of Joyce Wicklund

Kara Moore and Kasey Nieland

The purpose of this qualitative life history study was to explore the evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice through the life history of Joyce Wicklund, a retired occupational therapist who practiced in multiple settings in North Dakota and other states from 1970-2010. The researchers conducted one 1-hour semi-structured interview with Joyce Wicklund. Themes regarding her involvement in continuing education and her perspectives on the profession were synthesized from the interview data and compared with literature about continuing education and specialization in the field of OT. The predominant categories representing the major elements of her career were Maintaining Competence, Changing Demands of OT, and Ethical and Personal Challenges. The findings indicate that Joyce Wicklund experienced increasing demands and challenges over the course of her practice and she valued the pursuit of competence in her role as a practitioner. Joyce Wicklund was a gentle, caring, accomplished occupational therapist who contributed greatly to the profession of OT by practicing with integrity and passion. Her practice had a significant impact not only on the patients she worked with, but also on her colleagues and other health professionals with whom she interacted. Joyce’s legacy of masterful and skilled practice provides an example of how to face challenges, deal with changes in the healthcare system, and maintain competence through continued education.
Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Kathy Bangsund

Jenna Nelson and Rachel Trieff

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate the life history of Kathy Bangsund, OTR/L. This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming. The research design utilized for this qualitative study followed the format of a biography, specifically a life history. The researchers conducted this study as a capstone project.

The study was conducted by the researchers in two different locations. Both interviews were conducted over the phone. The researchers were in Grand Forks, ND and the participant was in Lincoln, NE at the time of the interviews. Kathy Bangsund, the participant, is a retired occupational therapist. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of North Dakota and continued her practice in a variety of settings.
A Life History of Jane Loscheider, OTR/L, ATP, CLT, NDT

Sydney Person and Brooke Westrich

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gather information on individuals whom have contributed in expanding occupational therapy around the states of North Dakota, and Wyoming. The interview contained questions which helped to understand our individuals journey, and the contributions made to influence occupational therapy (OT) around the state of North Dakota. This project was completed through background research and a semi structured interview. The interview was audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Codes were then selected from what emerged from the data. The codes then were sorted into categories, themes, and a final assertion. The participant was selected by a purposive sample completed by the project directors. The Kawa model was used to guide the research. The results showed that Jane has had to fight through changes in documentation, billing, expectations, and professional issues; but to this day she still loves her job due to her support system, her patients, and the collaboration between other professions, making the job possible.
Life History of LaDonna Bannach, OTR/L

Kelsey Raymond and Shelby Wassink

The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy (OT) practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice. A life history approach was utilized to allow the focus to be on the participant’s involvement in the evolution of occupational therapy practice. The Kawa model was used as a guide throughout this study, which yielded information about the participants life. Two student researchers interviewed LaDonna, who has been an OT practitioner for almost 17 years. She graduated from the UND OT program with her bachelors in occupational therapy in 2000. In 2004, she became the CEO and president of Beyond Boundaries Therapy in Fargo, North Dakota, a pediatric private practice where she currently works. A semi-structured phone interview was conducted in a private room in the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences building by Kelsey Raymond and Shelby Wassink. Four categories were then derived from the codes that were gathered through the interview transcription, which are business owner, clinical practice, practice dynamics, and professional journey. From this data, themes one final assertion were created. The assertion is as follows: LaDonna is an occupational therapist who is actively involved in the OT profession, exhibits compassion and empathy to treat her clients in a holistic manner, and utilizes interdisciplinary collaboration among co-workers and clients to provide the best care for all those in need through her private pediatric practice.
A Life History: Sarah Nielsen, PhD, OTR/L

Sarah Schwartz and Ashley Ystaas

This life history is one of 29 life history interviews which are a part of a larger project, Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the project is to gather information about the history and evolution of OT practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to gather this information.

This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how OT practice has evolved from its inception to current practice in North Dakota and Wyoming.