SAN ANTONIO – Occupational therapists are important because some people need assistance learning or re-learning how to do day-to-day activities.
It’s why the University of Incarnate Word School of Physical Therapy has recently launched its Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, beginning this semester.
Day-to-day tasks that can sometimes be taken for granted, are sometimes needed to be taught, need to be re-learned.
It’s where therapists come in.
“We try to get people back as independent as possible so it can be from an injury or a disorder,” director of the UIW Occupational Therapy program, Dr. Jessica Maxwell said. “They’re born with something, whatever the case is, mental, mentally, whatever the case is, we can help.”
Maxwell said the need for more occupational therapists in our community is great.
“There are so many jobs that are needed for OTs,” Maxwell said. “Having another program that houses occupational therapy students and promotes and produces occupational therapists is beneficial for the community.”
The program just opened three new labs for students that include a daily living, an innovation and pediatric lab.
“With our therapy students and children, they don’t know they don’t realize they’re getting therapy because it’s all fun,” Maxwell said. “But we are building muscles in impaired areas. We are helping with fine motor skills, are helping with movement, are helping with mental capacities.”
There are 16 students in its inaugural class. San Antonio native Lauren Wojcik is one of those students, a Texas State University and Alamo Heights graduate.
“I love to give back,” Wojcik said. “I love to serve and I feel like their programs, the university’s core values, they tie in together.”
Wojcik said she is honored to be part of the first group of students. Her dream is to be able to give back to the community work as an occupational therapist in her hometown after she graduates.
“This is home,” she said. “I would love to stay here if I could and continue to practice and be able to help as many people as I can in this field.”