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

To explore components of effective student programming within a clinical site for occupational therapy students. It will highlight strategies for creating structured, engaging, and supportive learning experiences as well as examples of student selection process, orientation, educational activities, mentorship, and ongoing professional development opportunities that foster student success. Attendees will gain practical ideas for strengthening or developing student programming that enhances both learner outcomes and site engagement.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the key components of effective student programming within a clinical site.
2. Identify strategies for creating structured learning opportunities that support student growth and professional reasoning.
3. Examine an example of student programming that fosters student engagement and clinical competence.

Facilitator

Robert Loch, PhD, MBA, CNMT, MBA, CNMT
Associate Dean, Clinical and Student Affairs,  College of Health Sciences, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Speakers

Kelsee Hove, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS, DRP
Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy,  Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Dr. Hove graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Family Services and has a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. Before joining DMU, she served as an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Drake University and as a clinical occupational therapist at On With Life. She earned a Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation Therapy from The University of Florida, is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America and is Lee Silverman Voice Training BIG certified. Her research has focused on brain injury intervention, concussion management, and driving rehabilitation. Dr. Hove is passionate about ensuring O.T.D. students develop a strong professional identity with enthusiasm and drive to grow and learn together. She strives to foster the development of critical thinking skills and reflection, enabling students to connect what they learn in the classroom to clinical practice.

Kelly Quinn, MSOT, OTR/L, CBIS

Dr. Quinn has been an occupational therapist for 22 years, with 20 of those years spent working at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Wellness, then graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Her career has been in pediatrics, primarily in inpatient pediatric rehabilitation, where she treated a wide variety of pediatric diagnoses and specialized in pediatric medical complexity and brain injury. She holds certifications as a brain injury specialist, fieldwork educator, and child passenger safety technician. She has served as the pediatric program leader, currently serves as the work re-entry program leader, and is a member of Madonna's vision development team. She is a member of the International Pediatric Rehabilitation Coalition's Education and Advocacy Committee and an advisory board member for the University of Nebraska Medical Center's occupational therapy program. She serves as the inpatient occupational therapy fieldwork coordinator for Madonna's Lincoln campus. She also works at Union Adventist University as an adjunct professor of occupational therapy, teaching pediatric and adult curricula.