WashU Medicine Occupational Therapy Services

12/23/2025

Did you know Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a key role in treating Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) 🤔?

OTs support both adults and children with FND by addressing challenges with movement, cognition, sensory processing, and daily activities.

At WashU Medicine Occupational Therapy, our FND program focuses on identifying triggers, managing symptoms, and building strategies to support independence in everyday life—using a collaborative approach with patients and families.

📍 Sessions available in clinic
💻 Virtual visits offered for patients in Missouri and Illinois

👉 Learn more about how OT supports individuals with FND by visiting our website or commenting below!

https://otservices.wustl.edu/items/functional-neurological-disorder-fnd/

12/18/2025

The WashU Medicine Occupational Therapy Clinics recently celebrated the holiday season with an Ugly Sweater Party! 🎄

Check out the photos we were able to capture at a few of our clinics. We’re so grateful for our clinicians and always love a reason to celebrate together.

Show our clinicians some love with a 👍 or ❤️!

12/09/2025

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Macy Stonner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT 🌟

We are thrilled to highlight the incredible work of Macy Stonner, whose passion for brachial plexus injuries, peripheral nerve injuries and rehabilitation following breast cancer treatment as she continues to elevate the level of care we provide.

Macy was recently named Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, where she is shaping the future of the profession through her teaching and mentorship. She also just finished editing Rehabilitation for Nerve Transfers of the Upper Extremity — a remarkable accomplishment that reflects her dedication to advancing clinical knowledge.

✨ Fun Facts About Macy
• Bottomless desk snack of choice: Sparkling water cans + chocolate-covered pretzels.
• Fictional character who’d crush her job: Ted Lasso for his leadership, enthusiasm, and positivity!

We are grateful to have Macy on our team and proud of the incredible work she does every day. 💙🙌

👉 If you know Macy or have had the chance to work with her, drop a comment or give this post a like to help us celebrate her!

11/24/2025

Shoutout to Michelle – we see you out there absolutely rocking it! We’re so proud to have you on our team!" ✨🙌

Michelle Furman (PP-OTD '25) presented at the AOTA Education Summit in Salt Lake City this month on fieldwork educator needs for supporting neurodivergent OT students. Her doctoral work, mentored by Dr. Steve Taff, provides evidence-based strategies for inclusive clinical education.

As the Clinical Education Support Specialist at WashU OT Community Practice, Michelle now implements this research in her fieldwork program leadership role.

This is post-professional doctoral education in action: experienced clinicians developing expertise to drive change in OT practice and education. We are proud to have Michelle as part of our WashU Community!

11/21/2025

PSA: The only thing that should be getting carved on Thanksgiving is the turkey — not your fingers. 🦃🔪 Cuts from carving are a top five Thanksgiving injury!
Keeping knives sharp
Carving in a well-lit area
Not letting kids assist with carving

American Society of Hand Therapists - ASHT has a tip sheet with more safety tips to keep your hands gravy-ready.

https://asht.org/sites/asht/files/docs/2016/Turkey%20Carving%20Tips%202016.pdf

11/20/2025

✨ Recently, our therapist Jane Lavelle, OTR/L, and OTD student Melissa Troy had the pleasure of presenting to a wonderful group of parents on self-regulation for kids.

We always love the opportunity to share our expertise and empower families with tools that support their children every day! 💙🧠

11/12/2025

A peek inside a pediatric OT session! 👀💪
Playtime with purpose — helping little ones grow stronger mentally and physically, gain more confident, and ready for life’s adventures.

Come see our amazing pediatric OT specialist bringing fun and growth together every day! 🌟

10/31/2025

Our clinics were dressed to impress today with costumes, creativity, and plenty of Halloween spirit! 🎭
Wishing all the little ghosts, goblins, and ghouls a safe and fang-tastic night of trick-or-treating! 🍬🎃

10/31/2025

In recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month, our very own Deb Turley participated on a panel alongside faculty and staff to discuss how disability and chronic conditions can impact one’s employment journey.

Deb specializes in helping individuals stay employed or return to work after a disability, collaborating closely with physicians and employers to support successful transitions back into the workplace.

We’re incredibly proud of the impactful work Deb does every day and grateful for the opportunity to share the Occupational Therapy perspective in such an important conversation! 💙👏

10/30/2025

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Kathy Dolan, OT/L 🌟

This month, we’re proud to highlight our very own Kathy Dolan! Kathy specializes in Neurorehabilitation, working with individuals recovering from stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy (adult), concussion, functional neurological disorder, long COVID, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and those participating in our pre-driving program.
Her dedication, compassion, and expertise make a lasting impact on her patients’ recovery journeys every day. We’re so grateful to have Kathy as part of our team! 💙

✨ Fun Facts About Kathy:
🍝 Favorite Restaurant: Trattoria Marcella
🎬 Favorite Movies: Moonstruck & August Rush
🌊 Never Again: Trying to swim in Hawaii-sized waves!
🏕️ Barbie Vibe: Outdoor Barbie — happiest when hiking or out on the water
🕸️ Favorite Marvel Hero: Spiderman

Thanks for all you do, Kathy — we’re lucky to have you! 💪💙

10/23/2025

🎃 Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips 🎃

Carving pumpkins is a fall favorite—but it comes with risks! Hand injuries from pumpkin carving are all too common. Here are some key safety tips to keep your carving fun and safe from the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT):

✅ Choose a well-lit, dry spot for carving — moisture makes tools slip and accidents happen.
asht.org

✅ Adults should handle the sharp tools. Let kids draw the design or remove seeds.
asht.org

✅ Use a pumpkin carving kit rather than a long kitchen knife—tools designed for pumpkins are safer.
asht.org

✅ Always cut away from yourself and keep your hand that holds the pumpkin out of the path of the blade. Small, controlled strokes are better.
asht.org

For more detailed tips and checklists, check out the full guide here: ASHT “Avoiding Pumpkin Carving Injuries” PDF
https://asht.org/sites/asht/files/docs/2016/Avoiding%20Pumpkin%20Carving%20Injuries%202016.pdf

Stay safe and have fun carving your masterpiece! 🕯️👻

10/21/2025

🌟 Proud Employee Moment! 🌟

We are so proud of our very own Macy Stonner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, who recently traveled to Vancouver, BC, Canada to present at the 2025 ASSH Annual Meeting! 🙌

Macy presented on “Rehabilitation Following Nerve Reconstructions: Pearls and Pitfalls” and participated in an international panel discussion alongside surgeons from the U.S., Mexico, and Taiwan. She shared the therapist’s perspective on strategies for brachial plexus injury rehabilitation, contributing valuable insights to the global conversation.

Way to go, Macy — your expertise and dedication continue to inspire our entire team! 👏💪