FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Honoring Our Roots, Driving Innovation, and Impacting our Community

As we reflect on the past few months, we are reminded that our department’s ability to innovate and lead is deeply rooted in a long-standing commitment to community needs. Innovation, adaptability, and creativity have been at the heart of our program since its inception in 1942.

We see this enduring spirit in the legacy of Jane Trevvett Ford who passed on July 30, 2026. Her legacy of enrolling in the war-time emergency OT class of 1944 and working at Walter Reed Hospital, shared with many students in the Introduction to Occupational Therapy course, reflect the very essence of VCU occupational therapy. Just as our program answered the call then, we continue to respond to the evolving needs of our community today.

Note from Carole K. Ivey, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Chair, Occupational Therapy

In this issue, you’ll see that same founding spirit in action:

Real-World Student Impact: First-year students in our summer Design Course utilized 3D printing, thermoplastics, and custom design to craft devices for local clients.

Research and Collaboration: The inaugural Sensory Integration Think Tank Summit (SITT) united scholars and clinicians to tackle sensory integration science, advance research, and support individuals.

Faculty Growth & Leadership: We are thrilled to welcome Jen Weaver to our faculty team and congratulate Dr. Lauren Andelin on her promotion to Associate Professor.

From our 1942 origins to the cutting-edge work happening in our classrooms and labs today, our program remains focused on leading innovation to respond to the occupational needs of the community.

VCU Occupational Therapy's Design Course: Students use their skills to help two boys enjoy summer

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions is constantly developing new and innovative ways to help those in need.

One way the department prepares its students for future careers, encourages creativity and assists those in need is through its design course. The program allows students to use a range of materials and methods, including 3D printing, sewing and thermoplastics, to develop customized devices for specific patients over several weeks.

“The design course takes the theories and knowledge the students learn in their first year and applies them to a real-world challenge. It is demanding, intense and exhausting for both the students and our teaching team, but it is profoundly rewarding for everyone involved,” said Virginia Chu, Ph.D., OTR/L, associate professor and director of the Sensorimotor Performance and Rehabilitation Engineering Lab in the Department of Occupational Therapy.

Think Tank helps spur research and collaboration in sensory integration

Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions recently welcomed multiple scholars from across the nation for a two-day think tank on sensory integration science and advancing research and clinical care for individuals with sensory processing and integration differences.

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Jennifer Weaver brings expertise in brain injury rehabilitation, measurement and implementation research to VCU CHP

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions continues to grow its faculty and recently appointed Jennifer Weaver as an associate professor.

Congratulations to Lauren Andelin for her promotion to Associate Professor

Congratulations to Dr. Lauren Andlein on her well-deserved promotion to Associate Professor! Since 2020, Lauren has been an invaluable member of the VCU faculty, demonstrating a commitment to teaching excellence and student success. As Director of Fieldwork Education, she goes above and beyond to mentor the next generation of occupational therapists, creating an environment where students thrive. Beyond the classroom, her leadership and national visibility within the occupational therapy community continue to bring great distinction to our program. We are so proud to celebrate her growth and leadership.

RECENT FACULTY SCHOLARLY WORK

Andelin, L. (2026). Recognizing CVI in your school-based OT practice. OT Schoolhouse podcast.
Clancy, M,J., Bell, A, O’Brien, K.H., Jones, Gareth, D., Packel, A..…& Reynolds, S. (2026). Tools for Assessing Clinical Reasoning in Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2026.100674
Crawford, M.E., Reynolds, S., Corson, T., Sabo, R.T., Chu, V., & Steele, C.M. (2026). Exploration of the associations between dysphagia, liquid intake restrictions, and comorbidities in acute stroke: A retrospective chart review. Frontiers for Rehabilitation Sciences, 21, https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1763404
Dusing, S., Burnsed, J., Spence, C., Molinini, R. M., Brown, S., Harper, A., Hendricks- Muñoz, K. D., Stevenson, R. D., Thacker, L. R., Kane, A. E., & Inamdar, K. (2026). Does Timing Matter? A Clinical Trial of Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) for Infants Born Preterm in the First Months of Life. The Journal of Pediatrics, Article 115266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2026.115266
Edelstein, J., Tanner, K., Yelvington, M., Harpster, K., Robins, L., & Reynolds, S. (2026). Clinician Scientists in Occupational Therapy: Bridging the Knowledge-to-Practice Gap. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80(5). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2026.051442
Reynolds, S. Andelin, L., & LaRocca, C. (2026). Opening the Black Box of Ayres Sensory Integration®: Clarifying Mechanisms of Change from Treatment Theory to Participation. Brain Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16101131
Shahid, J.***, Amin, N*., Davis, S.*, & Chu, V. (2026) Persistent Sensory, Motor and Functional Difficulties From Childhood to Adolescence in Developmental Coordination Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. Online ahead of print. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-026-07314-3
Teague, L., Grove, A. M., Pisegna, J., & Weaver, J. A. (2026). Rehabilitation Interventions for an Individual With Disorders of Consciousness in the Acute Care Setting: A Case ReportJournal of Acute Care Physical Therapy https://doi.org/10.1097/JAT.0000000000000290
Weaver JA, Bombino-Elliott J, Pisegna J, Grove AM, Stephens JA and Schmid AA (2026) Inter-related mechanisms of engagement in adaptive yoga for acquired brain injury: a qualitative implementation mapping study. Front. Health Serv. 6:1879725. doi: 10.3389/frhs.2026.1879725
Williams, L. J., Rich, T. J., Chen, P., Eskes, G., Kernot, J., Hillier, S., Loetscher, T., Namesna, A., Mancuso, M., Hreha, K., Fordell, H., & Bowen, A. (2026). International multidisciplinary consensus recommendations for the screening and assessment of post-stroke spatial neglect using an online Delphi method. Clinical Rehabilitation, 02692155261465653. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155261465653
Yaghoubi, N., Shah, H.P., Berman, B.D., & Dexheimer, B. (2026) “New perspectives on cortical and subcortical mechanisms for visuomotor adaptation and their clinical implications.” In: Latash ML, Furmanek MP, Levin MF, Perez MA, Tunik E, eds. Progress in Motor Control. Academic Press; 2026:187-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-45068-6.00015-9

STUDENT UPDATES

Pictured: Morgan Sbraccia and Sydney Hilovsky

Class of 2026 Capstone Poster Fair

Our class of 2026 students showcased their 14-week capstones in our annual Capstone Poster Fair. Each student engages in a doctoral capstone experience during their final semester of the program, where they lead a project in either the community, research, or education track. Students work with faculty and, as applicable, a community mentor to complete a literature review and needs assessment to guide their project, program development and implementation, outcome evaluation and sustainability plan. They present their work at the annual Capstone Poster Fair to the faculty, CHP community, and community members. Some of this year’s projects included:

Individualized Aquatic Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Single Subject Design with Feasibility Outcomes - Sydney Hilovsky (Research track) *co-winner of the Peer Choice Capstone Award
Foster Youth Transition to Independence: A Pilot Program Examining the Impact of Occupational Therapy on Great Expectations Students - Morgan Sbraccia (Community track) *co-winner of the Peer Choice Capstone Award
From Watching to Analyzing: Enhancing Undergraduate Students’ Ability to Analyze Disability Representation in Media - Emily Snead (Education track)
Cycled Lighting in the NICU: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Support Developmentally Appropriate Visual Stimulation - Aliyah Woodhouse (Community Track)
Leveraging Computer Vision for the Development of an Automated Movement Assessment Pipeline in Stroke Rehabilitation - Caroline Selb (Research Track)
Evaluating ADL Confidence After Cardiac Surgery: Enhancing a Post-Sternotomy Showering Program and Outcome Measure - Hailey Reid (Community Track)
Read, Play, Connect: Supporting Caregiver Confidence in Early Social-Emotional Development Through Occupational Therapy-Informed Storytimes - Meredith Wells (Community Track)
Enhancing Accessible Caregiver Education at Bilinguatherapy: A Quality Improvement Project - Ivanna Ortega (Community Track)

Class of 2026: Sydney Hilovsky takes occupational therapy to the pool for children with autism

Hilovsky has been pursuing two doctoral degrees in the College of Health Professions, and her aquatic therapy project already has had real-world impact.

With both parents in teaching careers, Sydney Hilovsky thought she wanted to follow a similar path. Then she saw an occupational therapist working with students and she experienced an “a-ha” moment.

“I fell in love with OT and the fact that I can work with people of all ages and all abilities,” Hilovsky said.

The Roanoke native came to Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023 to take advantage of the VCU Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Entry Level program at the College of Health Professions after earning a bachelor’s degree in health sciences with a minor in occupational therapy and special education at James Madison University.

Congratulations to our Class of 2026

In May, 45 members of the Class of 2026 crossed the Commencement stage to collect their Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) diplomas. The majority of our graduates enter traditional and emerging practice areas, prepared with expertise in applying evidence-based practices. We look forward to applauding their successes and watching them explore other opportunities, including research.

See more photos

First-year OT students arrive on campus

The Class of 2029, comprising 49 students, has arrived on campus for its three-year doctoral program. The students' first significant milestone occurred in August, when they received their VCU Occupational Therapy vests as a symbol of their commitment to the discipline.

ALUMNI NEWS

Celebrating Anne McDonnell: Recipient of the 2026 Jayne Shepherd Making a Difference Alumni Award and CHP Dean’s Outstanding Alumni Service Award

We are proud to recognize Anne McDonnell, a 1984 graduate of VCU’s Occupational Therapy program, as the recipient of both the Department of Occupational Therapy’s 2026 Jayne Shepherd Making a Difference Alumni Award and the College of Health Professions Dean’s Outstanding Alumni Service Award.

With a career spanning more than 40 years, Anne is a nationally recognized occupational therapist, brain injury specialist, and advocate whose work has made a lasting impact on rehabilitation services, public policy, and community-based care. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from VCU in 1984, she went on to earn a Master of Public Administration, also from VCU.

Anne began her career as a clinician before expanding her impact through leadership and advocacy. From 2006 to 2023, she served as Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, helping to establish the organization as one of the most influential brain injury associations in the country. Throughout her tenure, she worked collaboratively with brain injury survivors, families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to expand access to services, strengthen advocacy efforts, and improve systems of care across Virginia and beyond.

Anne’s contributions to the field have earned her numerous professional honors and recognitions for her statewide and community impact. Her career reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that individuals and families affected by brain injury have access to the resources, services, and support they need.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Anne has maintained a strong connection to VCU and the Department of Occupational Therapy. She currently serves as Chair of the VCU Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Advisory Board and has generously shared her expertise with generations of occupational therapy students. Through guest lectures, volunteer opportunities at Camp Bruce McCoy, and fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences, Anne has helped prepare future practitioners while fostering meaningful connections between education, clinical practice, and community service.

Anne McDonnell exemplifies the spirit of the Jayne Shepherd Making a Difference Alumni Award and the Dean’s Service Award through her dedication to advocacy, collaborative leadership, and lasting contributions to the lives of individuals with brain injury and their families. Please join us in congratulating Anne on this well-deserved recognition!

Jane Ford

Jane Trevvett Ford died on July 30, 2026, two days after her 102nd birthday, in Richmond, Virginia. She chose the words “beloved wife” to describe herself on her gravestone, but she was much more than that: beloved mother of her adopted son, beloved aunt, beloved “Mama Jane” to her son’s birth siblings and beloved friend to so many. She was a devoted teacher, war-time occupational therapist, mentor to young artists, set designer for plays at Lakewood Manor and woman of infinite curiosity.

She was a graduate of the war-time emergency OT class of 1944-46. She was the first recipient of VCU’s Department of Occupational Therapy’s Making a DIfference Alumni Award in 2011.

From Jane Trevvett Ford’s response to an appeal in the Alumni Newsletter, dated July 7, 2008:

“I may be the oldest surviving member of the war-time emergency OT class of 1944-46.

I graduated from Mary Washington College at age 18 in June 1944 and became a war widow two months later when my husband was killed in France. I desperately needed something to do in the war effort, so I went to RPI to inquire about becoming a physical therapist. That fall PT classes had already started so the administration persuaded me to become an OT instead.

Many amputees were coming back to US Army hospitals and the Surgeon General in DC was desperate to find personnel to rehabilitate them. RPI was one of the few schools training OTs at the time and had just received a letter from the Surgeon General offering to pay for training and medical schooling of anyone with a BA or BS who was over 21 years old.

I was only 19 at the time so wrote to him with a fervent appeal that, as a war widow, I hoped to be allowed to join the class. I was accepted and, thus, was 2 years younger than all the others. I will be 84 this month, so the rest of my classmates, if living, would be beyond 86 years old today.

We had classes at RPI until noon at the current VCU campus. Then, we walked to Broad Street where we boarded streetcars for the ride down to afternoon classes at MCV. We were enrolled in 3rd year medical classes without having had years 1 and 2. After two semesters, we were dispersed to Army hospitals around the country for a year of interning. I went to Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. where I took my exam to become a registered OT in the Spring of 1946.

I met my second husband at Walter Reed where he was recuperating from 3 ½ years in the Pacific War. We had 58 wonderful years together before he died in 2005. I worked as an OT at McGuire VA Hospital here in RIchmond for a while and at NIchols VA in Louisville when we lived there.”

Photo on left: "Left arm prosthesis operated by right shoulder muscles,"”

from Sketchbook by Jane Trevvett Winston, OTR, Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, DC 1945-46.

Photo on right: "Prosthesis practice - Orthopedic OT Shop"

GIVING TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Invest in Occupational Therapy today

Your gift to VCU’s Department of Occupational Therapy supports one of the nation’s leading programs, advancing student success and professional training. You can direct your support toward scholarships, faculty excellence or planned giving opportunities.

Give now

VCU Department of Occupational Therapy

900 E. Leigh St., Box 98008

Richmond, VA 23298-0008

Phone: (804) 828-2219