Nikki Hancock, OTD, OTR/L; Denise Donica, DHSc, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, FNAP
Education, Research, & Scholarship | Audience Level: Introductory
Clinicians and educators alike are invited to learn more about the OTD capstone process and its impact on occupational therapy practice and client outcomes. This session will outline key phases of the OTD capstone process in alignment with ACOTE standards, including planning, implementation, and dissemination, while clearly defining the mentor’s role in supporting student success across each phase. Participants will explore practical, evidence-informed mentorship strategies to guide project development, execution, and professional identity formation. Guided reflection will help attendees evaluate and strengthen their own clinical and educational mentorship practices. Overall, this session equips participants with tools to effectively mentor OTD students, strengthening mentorship competence to enhance educational outcomes and the impact of occupational therapy through high-quality, evidence-informed, student-driven capstone experiences.