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Eighty years ago, UVA Health planted the seeds of an Occupational Therapy (OT) program. Now, under the leadership of K. Michelle "Shelley" Knewstep-Watkins, OTD, OTR/L, that program continues to grow and flourish. When she stepped into her role as Manager of Adult OT a year ago in April — coincidentally, National Occupational Therapy Month — Knewstep-Watkins wasn't entering unfamiliar territory — she was stepping into her life's work.

Since 2008, Knewstep-Watkins has served the UVA Health OT program in nearly every capacity: first as a student, then as a clinician, and now as the leader of the 49-person team she helped build. "For the most part, my team is comprised of my former colleagues, former graduate students, or therapists I have hired," she describes.

What IS OT?

OTs help patients regain or adapt the skills they need for daily life, which sets them apart from other rehabilitation fields. OT covers everything from dressing and bathing to mental health support and adjusting to life after illness or injury. At UVA Health, the Adult OT team supports adult patients in almost every care setting including inpatient psychiatry, Emergency Department, intensive care units, and eight multidisciplinary clinics. Some patients only may need one OT session, while others require ongoing support for years.

Building Structure for Growth

When Knewstep-Watkins became manager, one of her first goals was to make OTs feel “seen and heard.” Another: to build better support systems. During the past year, she's worked toward this goal by implementing three new coordinator roles:

• Orientation Coordinator Sydney Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, with support from Jessika Turner, OTD, OTR/L
• Education Coordinator Kara Moore-Chain, MSOT, OTR/L
• OT Student Coordinator Alex Wilson, MSOT, OTR/L, with support from Lauren Berman, MSOT, OTR/L

In her new role, Collins redesigned the onboarding process. What used to be a long, general orientation is now a structured, six-week “boot camp” including a checklist of basic skills and prepares clinicians for independent work more quickly and consistently. Since Knewstep-Watkins took over as manager, the department has welcomed 13 new OTs — more than a quarter of the current team.

As Education Coordinator, Moore-Chain (pictured, right) organized the first, in-house, two-day workshop for OTs in a decade. The American Occupational Therapy Association helped train 20 clinicians in clinical education for fieldwork educators.

This work already is receiving recognition beyond UVA Health.This spring, Wilson (pictured, right) was recognized as “Community Partner of the Year” by James Madison University’s OT Program. The honor reflects his commitment to, and vital role in, preparing the next generation of OTs.

And Berman received the Outstanding Fieldwork Educator Award from Mary Baldwin University’s OT program, an honor given to only two recipients each year. It recognizes a commitment to lifelong learning, leadership within the profession, and impact on students’ professional growth.

Expanding OT’s Reach

While OT clinicians floated to the Mother-Baby Unit and the Emergency Department in the past, the program now has dedicated service centers in both areas. Paige Ramsey, MSOT, OTR/L, helped establish services for Mother-Baby patients.

Rachel Anderson, MSOT, OTR/L, (pictured, left) now serves as the first, full-time OT in the Emergency Department.

Knewstep-Watkins says these new programs highlight the team’s growth in demonstrating OT’s value in new clinical settings. As UVA Health celebrates 80 years of OT, she finds the team’s work is opening new possibilities. “We have created structure where there wasn’t structure,” she says. “It’s not about me — it’s about the team!”

Whether staffing meetings, developing projects, or expanding care — Knewstep-Watkins views her role as helping the program grow. “I feel like I’m just kind of watering,” she says.