Directory of Our Exceptional
Faculty and Staff

Education

• BS in General Studies-College of Saint Mary
• Master of Occupational Therapy-College of Saint Mary
• Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Health Professions-College of Saint Mary
• Board-Certified Occupational Therapist, NBCOT
• Certified and Licensed in the State of Nebraska in Physical Agent Modalities-CPAM
• Certified in Kinesiotaping-CKTP
• Executive Certificate in Home Modifications from the University of Southern California-ECHM

General Background
Dr. Melissa Kimmerling EdD, MOT, OTR/L is the Program Director for the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at NMC. Dr. Kimmerling has clinical experience in acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, outpatient, and home health. Dr. Kimmerling serves as the Representative from the State of Nebraska to the American Occupational Therapy Association's Representative Assembly. Dr. Kimmerling has presented her practice research locally, regionally, and nationally and has also been a speaker for community-based organizations. Dr. Kimmerling holds her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy and her Doctorate in Health Professions Education from the College of Saint Mary. Dr. Kimmerling spent three years in full time academic appointment for College of Saint Mary prior to moving into the consulting role and then Program Director role for NMC. Dr. Kimmerling is also certified in LSVT-BIG Parkinson's Protocol.

Notable Publications/Presentations

• 2020 5 reasons to join your state association. My OT Spot. http://ww.myotspot.com 

• 2020 Navigating Change: How NOTA is working to protect and promote OT in Nebraska. NOTA Conference, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha, NE, United States.

• 2019 Supporting individuals with disabilities during the holidays. Nebraska Methodist College.  https://blog.methodistcollege.edu/how-to-support-individuals-with-disabilities-during-the-holidays

• 2019 4 Strategies for OT management of stroke in acute care. My OT Spot. https://www.myotspot.com/4-stroke-strategies-in-acute-care/

• 2018 Perspectives on healthcare policy and practice.  NOTA Conference, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha, NE, United States.

• 2018 Occupational therapy career overview. Nebraska Methodist College Health Career Camp, Omaha, NE, United States. 

• 2018 Maximizing your safety and independence at home. Stroke Support Group, Nebraska Methodist Health System.

• 2018 Commencement address. Nebraska Methodist College Graduation, Omaha, NE, United States. 

• 2017 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation, titled Impacting Institutional Mission, Vision, and Purpose through a Creative Level I Fieldwork Approach
• 2017 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Short Course, titled Building Momentum and Increasing Value in Occupational Therapy State Associations
• 2016 Vision, progress, and issues facing occupational therapy in Nebraska (panelist). NOTA Conference, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha, NE, United States.
• 2016 8 tips for being the best fieldwork educator you can be. OT Potential. https://otpotential.com/blog/ot-fieldwork-educator
• 2016 OT program reaches important milestones. Nebraska Methodist College. https://blog.methodistcollege.edu/occupational-therapy-program-reaches-important-milestones2016 Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association Continuing Education Course, titled Overview of the RA
• 2016 Nebraska Methodist Health System Interprofessional Research Day Poster Presentation, titled The Impact of Pre-Surgical Home Safety Assessments on Discharge Location for Elective Lower Extremity Total Joint Replacements: Research in Progress
• 2016 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation, titled Impacting Institutional Mission, Vision, and Purpose through a Creative Level I Fieldwork Approach
• 2016 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation, titled The Role of Institutional Culture in Promoting a Successful Transition to Academia
• 2015 Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation, titled The Impact of Productivity Standards on Level II Occupational Therapy Student Supervision
• 2014 Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation titled, The Use of Neck Muscle Vibration for Clients with Left Neglect post CVA: Exploring the Literature
• 2013 AOTA/ NBCOT Education Summit Poster Presentation, titled Clinical Simulation: Enhancing Student Learning through Horizontal Integration of Cross-Course Content 

Professional Service/Recognition/Charitable Boards

2019-2021 Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for the Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association

2019-2021 Roster of Accreditation Evaluators for the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

2016 Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association Contributor of the Year Representative from the State of Nebraska to the American Occupational Therapy Association, 2016-2019

To make an appointment with Melissa:
https://calendly.com/melissa-kimmerling