Purpose

A clinical instructor is an experienced practitioner who provides supervision during clinical practice and facilitates the application of theory to practice for students and staff learners. They assist the learner by setting clear expectations, providing effective feedback on their performance, and offering appropriate opportunities to meet their learning objectives.

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences supports healthcare providers who actively participate in our students' education by offering excellent clinical training opportunities. Clinical instructors transmit skills and serve as mentors who convey the core values important to Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences: accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness, and wellness. 

Clinical instructors do what no textbook or classroom can accomplish. As a result, the students benefit from the community-based experience. In contrast, preceptors benefit from integrating new ideas and techniques into their practices, which are currently taught in academic health sciences institutions.  

Description

This session will explore the benefits of having a capstone student from Des Moines University, especially as someone who is not an occupational therapy practitioner. 

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the purpose and value of the doctoral capstone within occupational therapy education.
2. Identify potential benefits of hosting a capstone student across a variety of settings and professions.
3. Explore opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning between students and site mentors.

Speaker

Nicole Kuhl, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS
Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Dr. Kuhl graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and criminal justice, a master’s in occupational therapy, and a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy. Dr. Kuhl has practiced in adult inpatient rehabilitation at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and MercyOne Clive Rehabilitation Center since 2011 and received an academic appointment at Drake University in 2019. Dr. Kuhl practiced at a wheelchair seating and positioning clinic at the MercyOne Iowa Health and Fitness Center. Dr. Kuhl is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and continues to practice in adult inpatient rehabilitation and brain injury. Dr. Kuhl enjoys facilitating student growth to develop their own interests in clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.

Dr. Kuhl serves as the Iowa Ambassador to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and as the Communications and Social Media Officer for the Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group (BI-ISIG) of the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine (ACRM). Dr. Kuhl served as chair of the Education and Research Committee for the Iowa Occupational Therapy Association from 2019 to 2021.

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Recording date: February 24, 2026
Date of original release: February 24, 2026
Most recent review/update: February 24, 2026
Termination date: February 23, 2029