LEND Occupational Therapy Fellowship

About the program

Diversity is a core value of the Institute on Development and Disability at OHSU. We believe that the educational environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to learn. The Institute on Development and Disability Occupational Therapy (IDD-OT) Program designed a fellowship for occupational therapists who aspire to be leaders in the field of pediatric occupational therapy. The IDD-OT Fellow will gain advanced clinical skills in interprofessional collaborative evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Fellowship program also encompasses education, leadership and research.

The IDD-OT program is now an AOTA-Accredited Fellowship Site!

Program details

The IDD-OT Fellowship program functions within the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities Program (LEND) at OHSU. LEND programs are funded throughout the country by a grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The LEND program at the CDRC is recognized as one of the premier training programs in the country for training medical professionals in clinical care, research, community outreach and advocacy for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Oregon Health & Science University hires the IDD-OT fellow within the School of Medicine. The IDD-OT fellow spends time in clinical care, research, program development and education. The IDD-OT fellow spends at least 40% of their time mentored by faculty in clinical care, teaching, scholarship and leadership promotion. There are four learning tracks:

  1. Neurodevelopmental feeding
  2. Neonatal and early childhood development
  3. Autism
  4. Transition through the lifespan

The IDD-OT Fellow will spend two-four months in each rotation, working on an interdisciplinary clinical team and providing intervention services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

The fellow will be employed by Oregon Health & Science University and will receive a benefits package throughout their fellowship.

Listen to our podcast about the fellowship

Program Goals

The IDD-OT Fellowship program focuses on four core areas of expertise: clinical competence, education, leadership, and research. While there is a heavy emphasis on clinical excellence, the fellow will incorporate education, leadership, and research into every day practice. Mentorship is provided in each area, facilitating the development of expertise in providing occupational therapy services to families who experience neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.

The following goals guide our program:

Program goal #1: Clinical competency: The IDD-OT Fellowship program will develop a highly skilled occupational therapist with expertise in client-centered and culturally competent treatment throughout the lifespan for youth and young adults with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. The IDD-OT fellow will gain proficiency in domains and frameworks of occupational therapy practice and incorporate occupational therapy framework into interdisciplinary clinics and intervention programs.

Program goal #2: Education and teaching: The IDD-OT Fellowship program will provide mentorship and experience in becoming an educator in occupational therapy to students, other health professionals, and families/caregivers.

Program goal #3: Leadership: The IDD-OT Fellowship program will provide opportunities and guidance in the development of leadership skills as an occupational therapist working with children, youth, and young adults with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.

Program goal #4: Research: The IDD-OT Fellowship program will provide the opportunity to engage in clinical research projects focused on improving participation of children with neurodevelopmental and other related disabilities.

Teaching and learning philosophy: The IDD-OT Fellowship will focus on clinic-based learning and didactic teaching through the LEND program. Clinic-based learning will occur through:

  1. Scheduled trainings: This involves specific trainings with mentors from all departments of CDRC and IDD. Some training will be mandatory but there will also be opportunities for the fellow to select areas of interest for additional training.
  2. Clinical experiences: The fellow will see a variety of patients in the interdisciplinary clinics (e.g. feeding, autism, neurodevelopment, Down syndrome) and will gain clinical and professional skills. This experience will involve observation, mentored practice, and feedback sessions.
  3. Self-learning: The fellow will be provided with access to books in the OT library and CDRC library. In addition, the fellow will be able to access journal articles through the OHSU library.
  4. Teaching/project completion: Each rotation, the fellow will have to “teach back” or present a project to either the clinical team, the OT department, or the LEND team, some more formal than others. These teaching sessions or projects could involve a case study, journal club, a novel intervention technique, a recent evidence-based practice article, or other relevant project that can help the clinical team or family seeking services.
  5. LEND curriculum: The Interdisciplinary Seminar serves as the foundation for the training process. It is organized around three major themes:  Leadership in Clinical and Professional Practice, Leadership in Community and Health Systems, and Leadership in Policy, Advocacy, and Research that directly address the identified needs of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families, revolving around MCH Competencies. The three themes are interspersed across the academic year so that the topics can be addressed in the order that the trainees need or can digest the information.  The ID Seminars are presented weekly by various LEND and visiting faculty, family and community presenters, and the trainees themselves. The duration is two hours with attendance mandatory for all trainees.

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How to apply

  • Applicants for the fellowship program must complete an accredited program in occupational therapy before the start date. Applicants must be eligible for licensure in Oregon and have obtained licensure within one month of starting the program (by September 1st).
  • Extensive experience in pediatrics (including work experience, fieldwork experience or other experience outside of the OT profession).
  • Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective, and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion or multicultural competency.

Applications must include:

  • Current CV or Resume (not to exceed two pages)
  • Formal letter of intent. Please include answers to the following questions:
    • How does this fellowship program fit with your career goals?
    • What leadership experience do you bring to the fellowship?
    • Please share any experience you have in working with individuals from backgrounds different from yours. How would this experience translate into working within a health care environment?
  • 3 letters of reference, at least 1 from a clinical supervisor or recommender who has observed clinical skills (not to exceed one page):
    • Please email letters directly to Erin Cochran, M.A., OTR/L at cochraer@ohsu.edu 
    • Letters should be from individuals who can comment on your candidacy for the fellowship 
    • Please provide contact information for each reference you provide
Click here to apply

Selection Process

  • Applications are reviewed blindly (personal identifying information is redacted) by all members of the fellowship committee
  • Each member of the fellowship committee completes a scoring rubric to rank the applicants
  • 3-4 applicants, with the highest average scores, are invited for a virtual interview with the entire fellowship committee. Additionally a Q&A with the current fellow is scheduled for the same day of the interview.
  • Each fellowship committee member rates each of the interviewees and following all of the interviews, the committee meets to make a decision regarding which applicant to offer the fellowship position
  • All interviewees are updated with a decision within two weeks of the interview

Important dates

  • Applications will be open from January 2, 2025 – February 18, 2025
  • Interviews will be completed virtually March 19, 2025
  • Information session and Q&A regarding the fellowship will take place January 9, 2025 from 4:00-5:00pm PST. Please email cochraer@ohsu.edu for the meeting link.
  • Start date will be late Summer 2025 and the fellowship will run through Summer 2026

Q&A with our OT Fellow

A woman stands on steps smiling on her graduation day.
Tristan Maki, O.T.D., OTR/L

Q: Why did you decide to do a fellowship?

The IDD-OT Fellowship program attracted me due to its emphasis on clinical care, education, and leadership. As a new graduate with a strong interest in pediatrics, I sought an opportunity that would allow me to refine my skills in general evaluations and treatment while exploring various pediatric specialties. I was also eager to find mentorship opportunities to guide me through my first experience as a practicing occupational therapist. OHSU’s inherent commitment to teaching and mentorship extends beyond clinical care, encompassing all aspects of being a practitioner in an interdisciplinary, medically complex environment. 

The opportunity to further develop my skills in leadership, research, education, and service learning through the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program was another key factor that drew me to this fellowship. It has allowed me to explore a wide range of interests and gain valuable insights into how I can make a meaningful impact within the disability community as an occupational therapist.

Q: Can you describe a typical week for you during the fellowship?

My weekly schedule varies depending on the rotation I am currently completing. Two days each week, I independently conduct evaluations and provide treatment for clients from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I also have one administrative day per week dedicated to completing documentation and working on LEND projects. The remaining two days are spent working alongside a supervisor in a clinic related to my current rotation (Feeding, Autism, Neurodevelopment/Transition, NICU/Early Intervention). Additionally, I attend a LEND seminar every Thursday afternoon. 

Throughout the fellowship, my time is divided between direct clinical care, one-on-one mentorship, and LEND projects. Some of the LEND activities include conducting a research project of my choosing, participating in a community engagement project, and participating in designated interdisciplinary team sessions to collaborate with fellows from other disciplines. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to explore other clinics and areas of interest that fall outside the scope of the clinical rotations.

Q: What has surprised you most about this fellowship?

While I was aware that mentorship was a key component of the fellowship, I am deeply grateful for the time and dedication my mentors invest in my development. I have weekly one-on-one meetings with the fellowship director, during which I can seek guidance and ask questions. Although I don't work directly with all the OTs in our department, each has been approachable and supportive of my learning, offering valuable opportunities for growth. Mentorship within this fellowship extends beyond our specific discipline, and I have been fortunate to receive encouragement and guidance from the interdisciplinary teams I work with. I am extremely appreciative that my supervisors prioritize my professional development and value the feedback I provide.

Q: How do you think this fellowship matches with your future career goals?

This fellowship provides a variety of opportunities to collaborate with and work alongside professionals from other disciplines such as speech language pathologists, physical therapists, social workers, psychologists, family advocates and many more. Working with an interdisciplinary team has allowed me to consider diverse perspectives, develop stronger problem-solving skills and provide a more holistic approach to patient care. In my future career I hope to work in a setting in which I can collaborate with other disciplines to provide the most comprehensive and family-centered care.  

This fellowship also offers rotations in specialty areas that align with my interests, particularly pediatric feeding and neonatal therapy. I am eager to apply the skills and knowledge gained during these rotations to further advance my career in these fields. Through this fellowship, I have had the privilege of connecting with numerous exceptional and knowledgeable professionals. I look forward to maintaining these relationships as I continue to learn and grow throughout my career!