Occupational Therapy Spotlight

Meet Angelica Gacek. Angelica is a third-year student in Drake's Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. In the spring 2021 semester, Angelica is completing her Doctoral Capstone Experience at UnityPoint Trinity Health in Rock Island, Illinois before she graduates.

Name: Angelic Gacek

What are your responsibilities at this site location? What does a typical day look like for you? 

Working with a certified hand therapist (CHT) means I get a wide variety of exposure to different injuries and conditions of the upper extremity. A typical day includes anything from activity/exercise, modality use, manual therapy, orthotic fabrication, patient education and more.  

How has Drake prepared you for your future career?

The Drake OTD program provided me with all the fundamental knowledge I needed to be successful in my fieldwork placements. Everything I learned from courses such as Kinesiology and Orthotics, I was able to apply into direct patient care. Drake also provided me with the opportunity to work at clinical sites that were in my area of interest. This allowed me to obtain a well-rounded level of competency that I will use in my future career.

Occupational Therapy Spotlights

Behrends, Carrie (Mental Health Level II Fieldwork)

Bieber, Brittany (Project Renewal - Doctoral Capstone)

Boarman, Robert (VA Central Iowa Health Care - Doctoral Capstone)

Bryan, Jamie (Iowa State Digital Accessibility Lab, Doctoral Capstone)

Crane, Kate (Brain Injury Level II Fieldwork)

Cuddy, Emily (MD Anderson Cancer Center - Doctoral Capstone)

Fisher, Karagan (UnityPoint - Doctoral Capstone)

Flaherty, Shannon (A Horse Connection - Doctoral Capstone)

Gacek, Angelica (UnityPoint Trinity Health, Doctoral Capstone)

Haggerty, Jessica (Optimae Rehabilitation Services, Doctoral Capstone)

Hahn (Mills), Hailey (Mental Health, Behavioral Health Specialists, Inc.)

Hawkins, Emily (Geriatric, Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Level II Fieldwork)

Hupfeld, Mary-Grace (Drake University - Doctoral Capstone)

Koneval, Madigan (OSF Healthcare St. Francis Medical Center - Doctoral Capstone)

Mazzei, Bri (Beyond Aquatics - Doctoral Capstone)

McCalley, Alyana (NSCD - Doctoral Capstone)

Metz, Maranda (Pediatric Doctoral Capstone Experience)

Mock, Emily (Pediatric Level II Fieldwork)

Nadolny, Emily (Pediatric Burn Camp Level II Fieldwork)

Nave, Maddy (Mental Health, Forensics and Aging Adults Level II Fieldwork)

Neff, Jessica (Mental Health, Research, SLU OT Transition and Integration Capstone)

Riek, Elizabeth (Program Development, Leadership and Evidence-Based Practice Capstone)

Roe, Mariah (OTR, Millennium Rehabilitation & Consulting Services)

Roe, Mariah (Neurological Level II Fieldwork)

Schimek, Matt (Program Development and Community Practice Capstone)

Speth, Erin (Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Across the Board Therapy)

Steinke, Rylee (MercyOne Des Moines NICU - Doctoral Capstone)

Weetman, Taylor (JHRN Clinic for Performing Artists at the Peabody Institute - Doctoral Capstone)

Widmer, Jackie (SwedishAmerican Hospital NICU - Doctoral Capstone)

Wuebker, Molly (Drake OTD Faculty)