Wix innovates level 1 fieldwork for occupational therapy students

Combining her personal passions of OT education, telehealth, and spina bifida awareness, Dr. Amy Wix, OTD, OTR/L recently innovated a virtual level 1 fieldwork experience for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students. When the COVID-19 pandemic limited the number of available fieldwork sites, Dr. Wix rose to the challenge and created an innovative experience for students. The American Occupational Therapy Association describes level 1 fieldwork as an experience to "enrich didactic classroom learning through observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process." For six weeks, Dr. Wix facilitated OTA students to meet virtually with families across America and see the spina bifida journey across the lifespan from infant to adult. An interdisciplinary approach blossomed when parents of children with spina bifida incorporated their professional backgrounds of teacher, physical therapists, occupational therapist, and speech language pathologist to enhance the experience even further. Parents shared their heartaches and triumphs of raising a child with a disability. 

Dr. Amy Wix graduated from West Virginia University Division of Occupational Therapy in 2000 with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. She earned an Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree in 2007 from Chatham University. Dr. Wix has taught at the masters and doctoral level of occupational therapy. Currently she is a faculty member at the Waldron College of Health and Human Services at Radford University.  Prior to teaching, Dr. Wix worked in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing, assisted living, telehealth, case management, school systems, early intervention, and home health. Currently, Dr. Wix is the Vice President of the West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association and serves as conference chairperson.  She resides in Beckley, WV, with Michael and their spunky 3-year-old son, Jackson.