Serving Others in Kansas City

Throughout the program, students partner with local agencies to participate in service learning related to occupational therapy. This includes teaching health and wellness to community members as well as providing care for individuals with special needs or disabilities. These partnerships provide multiple learning and service opportunities for students. We are grateful for the local agencies who welcome the Rockhurst OT students: American Stroke Foundation, Hope Care Center, Parkinson's Foundation of the Heartland, Developing Potential, Inc., Northland Therapeutic Riding Center, Truman Medical Center - Behavioral Health,  Mission Project, Parkinson's Foundation of the Heartland, Minds Matter, Lakeview Village and Sojourner Health Clinic.

Students participate in community-based service programs at St. Elizabeth and St. Peter's Catholic Schools. While here, students strive to support and promote the developmental milestones of children as they engage in play, student learning, and social participation through play and group-led activities. These programs are held on designated Fridays throughout the academic school year. All students are supervised by OT faculty members and/or staff.

International and National Fieldwork Service Immersion Trips

Ecuador

Students have the opportunity to travel to Guayaquil, Ecuador, to engage in service at the Damien House and surrounding villages. Students work in interprofessional teams alongside PT students and OT/PT faculty members to provide rehabilitation services and education to individuals with Hansen’s Disease.

St. Lucia

Students have the opportunity to travel to the island of St. Lucia with OT faculty members to engage in services with children and adults experiencing various level of disability. Frequent collaborators on this trip include SLP students and faculty.

Colorado

OT students and faculty members travel to Colorado to partner with the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) to provide a camp for adults with developmental disabilities. Within this setting, the team helps facilitate camper engagement in new and familiar outdoor leisure activities.