OTA students share ergonomic insights with dental students

About 23 students in the occupational therapy assistant program recently shared ergonomic recommendations with GRCC dental students.

“To apply information about ergonomic interventions learned in class, the OTA students observed the dental students at work in the dental clinic,” said Lynda Jansen, of Workforce Development. “The OTA students hoped to provide some valuable instruction to help the dental students prevent work-related injuries throughout their careers.”

Christine Dobberstein, a faculty member with the dental program, said her students learned a lot in last week’s presentation.

“They did a fantastic job of gathering pertinent information for our students,” she said. “Our students recognized many of the risk factors the OTA group outlined and have set some personal goals around the recommendations.”

Both Dobberstein and Jansen said they hope to continue the collaboration between their departments.

Claudia Galvez joins dental, rad tech, OTA team

Claudia Galvez

Please welcome, Claudia “Claud” Galvez, Dental, Rad Tech, and OTA Educational Support Professional. Claud has worked for Michigan Works! for 10 years as a full time staff and 3 years as a temporary. She is currently taking classes to get a general degree and will transfer to Ferris to get a bachelor in Computers. She has one son whose name is Anthony Galvez and is 15 years old. Claud currently plays on 4 different teams for softball during the week. She loves sports, but most of all she loves GRCC. After leaving for a short period of time she cannot see herself working with any other company or institution.

GRCC In the News, 7-18-14

Pregnant woman’s dad: ‘Need to find daughter’

July 18, 2014; WoodTV8

SARANAC, Mich. (WOOD) — Police and family members Thursday looked for an 18-year-old who was 8 months pregnant with her first child after her 25-year-old boyfriend’s body was found.

…Oppenneer was a father of two other young children and a graduate of West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids. According to his Facebook page, he went to Grand Rapids Community College and Alma College and was a sander at Grand Rapids Carvers.

Kelbie Stout crowned 2014 Ionia Free Fair Queen

July 17, 2014; Sentinal-Standard

Five contestants participated in the 2014 Queen’s Contest, and each showcased their love of and history with the Ionia Free Fair. After an evening of interviews, Kelbie Stout of Ionia was named the 2014 Ionia Free Fair Queen.

…Allen graduated from Ionia High School and plans to study pediatric occupational therapy at Grand Rapids Community College.

 

Cook Academic Hall Phase 1 Construction Update

The fourth and fifth floors of Cook are being completely renovated, and the project is nearing completion! Furniture and equipment installation is scheduled for August 5 through 14, with finishing touches scheduled for the week of August 19. These floors will both be complete for the start of the fall semester!

The fourth floor will now support Nursing, the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and Workforce Training instruction with new bed labs, general-purpose learning environments and a state-of-the-art simulation lab. The Health Sciences Resources and Tutoring lab will be located on this floor, with expanded computer resources and study spaces for student use. There is also a secure room for breast feeding activities on the fourth floor available to GRCC students and employees.

The fifth floor will have 12 general-purpose classrooms and several smaller study spaces and breakout rooms for small group use. The Reading, Writing and Language Arts Tutoring Lab will also be located on this floor, with expanded computer lab services for individuals and entire classes. Two new computer labs have been added!

Both floors will now have a business center, providing faculty with access to computers, phone and printing resources close to classrooms!
Restroom facilities on both floors have been completely renovated as well.

College Park Plaza Construction Update

The first major project is nearing completion and all floors are now fully occupied!  What happened while folks were away?  College Park Plaza received:

• new heating and ventilation systems — this will greatly improve temperature quality and consistency in individual offices!
• lighting for improved light quality and energy efficiency.
• ceilings.
• all new network wiring, switches and wireless routers.
• a new fire suppression system.
• new fixtures and porcelain in restroom facilities.
• new elevators.
• new carpet and paint in some areas.

The improvements to this building make College Park Plaza our second LEED certified facility!

Not bad for “Plan B”!

College Park Plaza now houses:

• The Foundation has returned to the first floor and Mezzanine area. Department Secretary – Ann Marie Birr, extension 3939.
• The Grants Department has returned to the annex area. Department Secretary – Delicia Wilondja, extension 2122.
• The Math Department has returned to the second floor. Department Secretary – Kimberly Musser, extension 4253.
• The Business Department is now located on the third floor. Department Secretary – Mary Gunderson, extension 4220.
• The English Department now occupies the fourth floor and the east side of the fifth floor. Department Secretary – Gail Brown (fourth floor), extension 4243.
• The Dental, Radiologic Tech and Occupational Therapy Assisting Department returned to the west side of the fifth floor. Department Secretary – Brenda Spratling, extension 3765.
• The Nursing Department returned to the sixth floor. Department Secretary – Sue Sarniak, extension 4238.
• Health Admissions is also now located on the sixth floor. Paula Naujalis, extension 4348.

 

Karen Walker and Husband Join Attempt to Make World’s Largest Flotilla

Karen Walker from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program with her husband Terry joined other kayaker to attempt to paddle into the Guiness Book of World Records to make the world’s largest flotilla. The event was on September 1st at Suttons Bay, Michigan. The final count was 1,750 which fell short of the record 1,902 set in Inlet, New York last fall. The event was a fund raiser for the Suttons Bay school district. Attached is the aerial picture of the flotilla. Where’s Walker?

GRCC Occupational Therapy Hosts Student Symposium

The GRCC OAT program hosted a Student Symposium for the Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students from GVSU, Baker College and the GRCC on November 5, 2010. The symposium provided continuing educational opportunities for the students in areas of Occupational Therapy practice. Occupational Therapy professionals presented on topics such as; treatment of low vision, neonatal care, driver’s rehabilitation and sensory processing for children. This activity also gave the students an opportunity to network with peers from other colleges.

GRCC OTA Program Held Functional Cognition Seminar 7/16/10

The GRCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program hosted a seminar on Friday, July 16th on Functional Cognition. The  presenters were Pat Jakubiec, OTR/L and Jennifer Friesema, COTA/L, a GRCC OTA graduate.This presentation was designed for Occupational Therapists who work with clients with dementia and psychiatric disabilities. The seminar topics included assessments for clients with cognitive impairments, identifying their behaviors and therapeutic interventions. The participants received practical examples and application  for practice.

Occupational Therapy Sponsors Conference on Home Accessibility

GRCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OTA) hosted a conference on October 2, 2009 on Specialty Products for Home Accessibility and Independence. Airway Oxygen, Inc. sponsored the conference featuring Scott Anderle, PT from Specialized Home Design.

OTA Students Volunteer Building Ramps

The Grand Rapids Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant students participated in a ramp building activity through Home Repair Services on Saturday September 12, 2009. These ramps are attached to homes for wheelchair-bound residents.   The Home Repair Services constructed 12 ramps for recipients who have disabilities such as diabetes, fractures and fibromyalgia. They are referred to Home Repair Services through agencies such as Disability Advocates, Visiting Nurses Association and rehabilitation hospitals.

Ramp building is beneficial to the Occupational Therapy Assistant students to prepare them for their future careers by developing skills in evaluations, home modification and assisting the homebound residents in gaining access to their community.   Ann Pedersen, a GRCC student, coordinated this activity and was joined by Norma Herrera, Amy Hawke, Debra Grubaugh and Nichole Merren.