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      • Edith Yutt Scholarship
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      • Physical Therapy Endowed Scholarship
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      • School of Social Work Empowerment Scholarship
      • O'Rourke Master of Public Health Scholarship
      • Derrek Drexler Accounting Scholarship
      • Edward R. Frick Accounting Scholarship
      • Shapley Accounting Scholarship
      • George Till Scholarship
      • Van de Voorde Accounting Scholarship
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  • Professor | Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
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Headshot of Brenda Hughes
Professor | Doctoral Capstone Coordinator

Brenda Hughes, MA, OTR/L, CAPS

Brenda Hughes, DrOT, OTR/L, CAPS is a professor of Occupational Therapy in the College of Health and Human Services. With a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Governors State University, Hughes has research interests incritical inquiry and theoretical framework applications to education and practice, occupational justice, online teaching and learning, and older adult health and wellness. I am an Occupational Therapist licensed to practice in Iowa and Illinois and certified by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapist (NBCOT).

My skill set includes earning a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation and attaining a core position in my department as a Professor and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator. Key skills and competencies include extensive experience in higher education serving occupational therapy students through teaching, capstone coordination, scholarship, and service at department, college, university, and community levels. Continuing education work includes Critical Inquiry and Theoretical Framework applications to Practice, and Online Teaching and Learning. PRN Manuscript Reviewer for the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. My knowledge base in OT history, philosophy, and practice along with critical inquiry, communication, and networking skills promote my effectiveness in looking dynamically at situations and building relationships for best outcomes.

Dr. Hughes has a broad background in clinical practice and currently serves as the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and teaches Foundations, Theory, and Critical Inquiry courses in the OTD curriculum. Community service settings include hospice and equine therapeutic riding programs.

Contact Us

Center for Health Sciences Education

563-333-6438

HughesBrendaK@sau.edu

Education and Training

  • Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (DrOT), Governors State University; Doctoral Research: "Caregiver Experiences and Perceptions of Enrolling a Spouse with Dementia in an Adult Day Center: Process and Effects"
  • MA, University of Southern California, Occupational Therapy; Thesis: "Heidegger’s Concept of Care: Applications to Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science"
  • BS, Northern Illinois University, Health Science

Presentations

  • Accepted to present AOTA Poster at AOTA conference (contributing author): “Role of OT Preparing Individuals for the Retirement Experience." April 2025
  • Iowa OT Association Conference: Research presentation and Roundtable discussion presentation, “Advocacy for OT practitioners and Clients.” November 2024
  • Alongside Dr. Blackwell, research study of local OT Clinicians: “Pilot Analysis of Midwest Occupational Therapy Practice Utilizing the Quintuple Aim of Health Care Model.” May 2023 - May 2024

Courses Taught

  • Capstone Project I
    • Students will work with their mentor during this course as focused on their proposed area of interest for their doctoral capstone project. Students will utilize critical thinking as they examine and reflect on the literature and research and network with persons having content expertise. Students will be encouraged to think beyond current practice skills to promote the development of advanced knowledge. Prerequisites: Completion of OTD 575 and OTD 580.
  • Capstone Project II
    • Students will work with their mentor during this course as focused on their proposed area of interest for their doctoral capstone project. Students will utilize critical thinking as they further examine and reflect on the literature and research and network with persons having expertise. They will be encouraged to think beyond current practice skills to promote the development of advanced knowledge. Students finalize individual capstone project objectives in preparation of upcoming coursework where they develop a model connecting theory to practice. Prerequisite: Completion of OTD 626.
  • Capstone Project III
    • In this course, students present their capstone project that has evolved throughout the curriculum supported by cases and projects. The capstone project reflects a synthesis of advanced knowledge connecting theory to practice. Critical reflection on the didactic coursework, practice experience that students encountered during Level II Fieldwork, and new information observed in the Capstone Experience is utilized to inform the proposed project which describes a service and role occupational therapy could play in support of occupational participation. Prerequisites: OTD 626, OTD 676, OTD 705, OTD 710.
  • Doc Capstone Proposal I
    • This course provides instruction related to the procedures and requirements for completion of the capstone project and experience. Students solidify advanced knowledge applying theory to practice as related to their individual interests as they formalize their capstone projects and present those ideas to faculty and students. Students also formalize all goals, activities, supervision plans, and outcomes related to their capstone experience. Prerequisites: OTD 676.
  • Doc Capstone Proposal I
    • This course solidifies the advanced knowledge gained through the academic program into a specific doctoral project proposal. Students use the knowledge gained in analysis and synthesis of client factors, context, and environment factors, population needs and research findings related to their individual interests as they formalize their capstone project that connects theory to practice. The students will continue to build upon their reasoning skills and knowledge of the OT Process to understand the elements of their individual interest and how those impact occupational performance, participation, and overall health and wellness. The student may incorporate interviews, networking, and observation/field hours to identify relevant locations where advocacy and impact could occur during the experiential component. Pre-requisites: OTD 676; Concurrent enrollment in OTD 705.
  • Capstone Experience
    • The Capstone Experience is a 14-week full time learning experience with objectives, supervision, and outcomes planned by considering the topic of advanced study that was the focus of the capstone project. The experience objectives are individualized to focus advanced skills in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. The individualized objectives will at a minimum address a link to the domain of OT, occupational justice, occupational engagement of clients (individuals, groups, or populations) and require the use of critical thinking, evidence, and professionalism to both advocate for OT and help students explore a role beyond generalist. Prerequisite: This course may not commence until all didactic and fieldwork coursework is successfully completed.

Professional Memberships

  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • AOTA Special Interest Sections:
    • Academic Education
    • Home and Community Health
    • Mental Health
    • Productive Aging
  • Iowa Occupational Therapy Association
  • Online Learning Consortium

Professional Services

  • Compassus Hospice (volunteer)
  • Therapeutic Riding Program (Riding for Success) (volunteer)
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