Research - Wingate University Research While the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Wingate University is a clinical doctorate, students are still provided with the opportunity to develop the core skills required of a researcher. Our hope is that graduates will feel confident initiating a study to answer clinical questions that may arise during their practice as occupational therapists. The research program involves a series of four courses during which students not only learn how to be expert consumers of existing research, but they have the opportunity to design and implement a study in a group setting, mentored by their professor, Dr. Christine McConnell, and a faculty research advisor. Research projects are presented during an annual Evidence-Based Practice Symposium and are often submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Addressing Incontinence in Occupational Therapy Initial Evaluations: A Cross-Sectional, Exploratory Study Dr. Wynnet Sinclair, Savannah Ange, Marisa Davis, Abigail Jacaruso, and Madison Kolotello about Addressing Incontinence in Occupational Therapy Initial Evaluations: A Cross-Sectional, Exploratory Study College Athletes’ Perspectives on How Their Role as an Athlete Impacts their Mental Health Dr. Reeti Douglas, Rachel Alles, Kameron Forrister, Ansley Janes, Matthew Phifer, Kelly Reyer, and Sydney Sullivan about College Athletes’ Perspectives on How Their Role as an Athlete Impacts their Mental Health Community Reintegration of Veterans After Discharge Dr. Daniella Hauser, Katie Bennett, Stacy Kobe, Robyn Oakley, Isabelle Porter, Casey Smithey, and Allison Yarborough about Community Reintegration of Veterans After Discharge Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Occupational Therapy in Acute Care Dr. Stacey Caplan, Elizabeth Capps, Aileen Dawkins, Mackenzie Lewis, Carlie Powell, and Alisha Woodside about Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Occupational Therapy in Acute Care Fathers’ Experience in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Report Dr. Stacey Caplan, Nisha Aggarwal, Katelynn Bodin, Callie Harlan, Jenna Patton, Savanah Perrini, and Daisy Williams about Fathers’ Experience in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Report Impact of COVID-19 on Female Youth Competitive Cheerleaders: Parental Perspectives Dr. Reeti Douglas, Cait Ennis, Ashley Gupton, Jess Judy, Emily Klink, and Jenelle Mrugalski about Impact of COVID-19 on Female Youth Competitive Cheerleaders: Parental Perspectives Mental Health and Occupational Performance Following Medical Retirement in D1 College Athletes Dr. Christine McConnell, Jane Donahue, Sarah Anne Hart, Gloria Monita, Marie Pasco, and Madison Tarlton about Mental Health and Occupational Performance Following Medical Retirement in D1 College Athletes Occupational Therapists’ Lived Experiences with Addressing Pediatric Mental Health Dr. Melissa Sweetman, Kaylee Cox, Elizabeth Grevelding, Jenna Holdaway, Cory Leonard, Mikah Smith, and Amber Sparks about Occupational Therapists’ Lived Experiences with Addressing Pediatric Mental Health Occupational Therapy’s Role in Return to Occupations Post-Concussion in High School Athletes Dr. Reeti Douglas, Alexis Abbott, Grant Bare, Sheridan Cleave, Taylor Crum, Mary Anna Kirkpatrick, and Maggie Kuenzli about Occupational Therapy’s Role in Return to Occupations Post-Concussion in High School Athletes Follow us! Sweetman, M. M., Tripathi, N., Danella, K., Hupp, S., Muse, M., Rothrock, T., & Williams, A. (2022). The lived experiences of health science graduate students with anxiety and depression. Learning Environments Research, 2022, 1-18. Douglas, R., McConnell, C., Alles, R., Forrister, K., Janes, A., Phifer. M., Reyer, K., Sullivan, S. (2022). College athletes’ perspectives on how their role as an athlete impacts their mental health. Journal of Student-Athlete Educational Development and Success, 4, 150-173. Douglas, R., Tripathi, N., Allen, A., Ennis, C., Judy, J., Klink, E., Mruglaski, J. (2022). Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on female youth competitive cheerleaders. The Sport Journal, 24. Hauser, D.R., Tripathi, N.S., Smith, M.N., Williams, C.L., Lefebvre, B.M. Ly, A., & Higgins, M.K. (2022). The Impact of Chronic Conditions on Leisure Participation among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.  Physical & Occupational Therapy In Geriatrics, 40(4), 419-443. Questions? Dr. Melissa Sweetman (704) 233-8972 OTD@wingate.edu Free OT Clinic ot.clinic@wingate.edu