USI Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

03/04/2026

Join us for Illuminate ALS at USI!

On Sunday, March 29 at 3 PM in Carter Hall, the University of Southern Indiana will host a powerful event raising awareness for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The afternoon will feature a screening of Stitching Strength, a moving documentary highlighting the journey of individuals living with ALS—including USI alumnus Frank & Maddie Rynkiewich.

We’re also honored to welcome Dr. Richard Bedlack, renowned Duke neurologist and Director of the Duke ALS Program, who will share insights from his groundbreaking work in ALS research and patient care.

🎥 Film screening
🎤 Expert presentation and Q&A
🤝 Community resources and advocacy

This free event is open to the public—come learn, connect, and help shine a light on ALS. Due to the sensitive nature of the content, it is recommended for adults only.

📅 March 29 | 3 PM | Doors open at 2:15 PM
📍 Carter Hall, University Center West – USI

Reserve your spot and be part of a meaningful afternoon of hope, awareness and community.

USI ALS event to feature Duke neurologist and documentary screening March 3, 2026 Events Wellness The University of Southern Indiana will host Illuminate ALS, a special event at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West on the USI campus, to raise awareness for th...

03/02/2026

We are so grateful for the incredible guest speakers who continue to pour into our Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) students!

Dr. Joan Bauernfiend came to class to teach us about the many skills associated with vision. She taught us about the functional impact of vision and when to refer our clients for further vision assessment. Dr. Bauernfiend is a developmental optometrist in Jasper, IN.

Jean and Kevin were able to discuss life following and living through the diagnosis of Brain Injury. Jean's story of faith, family, grit and determination provided the OTA students with a great glimpse of neurorehabilitation and the impact they as practitioners can have on their patients and patients loved ones.

03/02/2026

Update for the Indiana Occupational Therapy Community

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the Medical Licensing Board recently adopted a new final rule affecting occupational therapy practice in Indiana, effective February 11, 2026 under LSA Document #25-329.

Key highlights include:
-Updated OTA supervision standards with clearer expectations for -the roles and responsibilities of occupational therapy assistants.
-Changes to documentation requirements, including when an occupational therapist must countersign OTA documentation.
-Temporary permit supervision updates, allowing virtual supervision and requiring supervising OTs to countersign documentation within 5 calendar days.
-New guidance on occupational therapy aides, including a formal definition and parameters for limited patient-related tasks under supervision.
-Updates to licensure and reinstatement requirements, including continuing education expectations for licenses expired longer than three years.
-Expanded continuing competency recognition, including mentorship and supervision activities related to OT doctoral capstones and OTA bachelor’s projects.

These updates aim to modernize Indiana’s occupational therapy administrative rules, clarify supervision and documentation expectations, and support evolving education and practice models within the profession.

Practitioners are encouraged to review the full rule published in the Indiana. Check out the updates here:

Website for Indiana Administrative Rules and Policies

02/27/2026

02/24/2026

Congratulations to Abigail Biggs, COTA on passing the NBCOT COTA examination!

Your hard work, persistence, and dedication have paid off. This achievement reflects not only your academic and clinical commitment but also your readiness to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your future clients.

We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the impact you will make as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Abigail states: "I am so grateful for this program and the many opportunities it has provided me. I would also like to extend my appreciation to each of the instructors in the OTA program. Their dedication has gone far beyond delivering course content, they have invested their time, guidance, and encouragement to support me throughout this transformative journey toward becoming a COTA. I am eager to enter the field of occupational therapy and apply the knowledge and skills I have gained through this program.

I am also truly thankful for the friendships I have formed during this program. The relationships built over the past two years, have been a source of encouragement, support, and lasting connection.

Above all, I give thanks to God for opening this door and faithfully guiding me every step of the way. He has sustained me through moments of stress, long days, and late nights, providing strength and perseverance.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance throughout every step of this journey. Their constant belief in me has been a source of strength and motivation, and I am so thankful for their enduring support."

02/24/2026

Get ready for your OTA program interview! The Kinney College Advising Center is hosting an Interview Workshop on Monday, March 2. Stop by anytime to practice interview questions, build your confidence and get personalized feedback to help you shine in your OTA interview. Questions? Email cnhp.advisor@usi.edu.

02/19/2026

The OTA class visited Jackeline Yagual and Dr. Jessica Wood at St. Vincent Center for Children in collaboration with Forefront Therapy. We learned about how sensory systems function and how the environment can be set up to support sensory systems. The Patricia Browning Stone Sensory Playground was designed to be supportive of children with sensory needs within our community. Thank you for allowing us to learn from you and to increase our knowledge as we enter the field.

02/19/2026

Congratulations to Klaudia Stahl, COTA on passing the NBCOT COTA examination!

Your hard work, persistence, and dedication have paid off. This achievement reflects not only your academic and clinical commitment but also your readiness to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your future clients.

We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the impact you will make as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Klaudia states: "I first want to thank God for leading me through this amazing journey. I thank him for all the answered prayers that led me to today. I also thank God for the amazing support system I have been given. I was blessed to be given a random roommate at the beginning of the semester who was also in the OTA program. Little did I know the friendship that would come from going through this journey together step by step. I also thank my amazing family and friends who supported me through this whole journey and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I thank the OTA program which is one of the best things I could’ve asked for. This program helped me grow as an individual and prepare me to help others grow and find their own potential. I am excited to begin my journey as a COTA working in Geriatrics and Assisted Living!"

02/18/2026

Congratulations to Clayton Hauser, COTA on passing the NBCOT COTA examination!

Your hard work, persistence, and dedication have paid off. This achievement reflects not only your academic and clinical commitment but also your readiness to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your future clients.

We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the impact you will make as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Clay states: Joining the USI OTA program was a great decision. Thank you to all of my professors that supported me and truly prepared me for a career as a COTA! I can’t wait to see where my career takes me!

02/17/2026

Congratulations to Peter Warner, COTA on passing the NBCOT COTA examination!

Your hard work, persistence, and dedication have paid off. This achievement reflects not only your academic and clinical commitment, but also your readiness to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your future clients.

We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the impact you will make as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Pete states: I am excited to share that I am officially starting my career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with the team at Suburban Home Health! Looking back, the road to this point was anything but traditional. My journey through college was a constant balancing act—juggling the military, moving cities, and the rigors of the USI OTA program. There were plenty of early mornings and late nights, but every challenge was worth it. Along the way, life didn't slow down! I also hit the greatest milestone of all: getting married. Having that support system made the toughest times manageable and the finish line even sweeter. I want to thank God, my professors at USI, my classmates, and my amazing wife—thank you for pushing me to keep going. I couldn't have done this without you. I’m incredibly honored to begin this next chapter in home health, helping patients regain their independence right where they are most comfortable. Here’s to the next adventure! 🥂

02/16/2026

Congratulations to Kelsey Routh, COTA on passing the NBCOT COTA examination!

Your hard work, persistence, and dedication have paid off. This achievement reflects not only your academic and clinical commitment, but also your readiness to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your future clients.

We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the impact you will make as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Kelsey states: "I’m so grateful for the education I received through the USI OTA program. Passing my boards feels surreal, and I truly wouldn’t be here without the support and preparation this program gave me. A huge thank you to my professors, who pushed me to be the best I could be. Their support does not go unnoticed, and I am forever grateful. I cannot wait to enter this new chapter as a COTA!"