Occupational Therapy, (OT) is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities. During the month of April, we want to recognize UofL Health’s occupational therapists working at our hospitals and rehab clinics across our system.
Whether helping children with disabilities participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recover from injury to regain skills, or providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes, the work of occupational therapists enable people of all ages to live life to their fullest potential. The occupational therapists’ holistic perspective focuses on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person.
Sarah Bullock, OT
“For me, the highlight of being an OT is seeing my patients make progress toward meeting their goals to increase participation in meaningful daily activities that people often take for granted,” said Sarah Bullock, MS, OTR/L at UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute. “I enjoy being a part of their rehab story, motivating and encouraging them to engage in functional living activities they never thought they’d be able to do again. In return, my patients continuously motivate me to provide them with the most up-to-date evidence-based practices to assist them with maximizing their function.”
OT services typically include:
- An evaluation to determine a person’s functional deficits and goals
- Customized therapy interventions to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities
- A functional outcome assessment to ensure goals are met or to modify the treatment plan
One of UofL Health’s most famous therapists is Travis – a facility dog at our OT outpatient clinic at UofL Health – UofL Hospital. In addition to his work in physical therapy, Travis assists with OT patients on fine hand motor skills, reaching and functional activities of daily living. Some of the exercises include laying pieces of food on him and picking them up, throwing balls for Travis to retrieve and simply having the patients brush him.
If you have the opportunity to work with one of our awesome OTs this month, give them a pat on the back and thank them for being part of the UofL Health team. We appreciate their unique work to help our patients live their best lives!
Left: Charlie, therapy dog at Frazier Rehab, with Debbie Broderick, OT, his devoted handler. Right: Travis, a UofL Health facility dog
