Where actual Concordia University Ann Arbor OT students present their VR/AI ideas to panel of experts for a chance to win … the honor of being CUAA OT Shark Tank champion!
The parameters: Pair off into teams of two and come with new ways to integrate Virtual Reality (VR) and/or Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the OT practice of the future.
“This event is a unique way for students to challenge their clinical reasoning,” explained Prof. Julie Chreston, Director of Occupational Therapy at CUAA. “They have to think outside the box of typical occupational therapy interventions as well as consider the business side of introducing an innovative product.”
And don’t worry—no sharks, students, faculty, or administrators were harmed in the making of this competition! Following are the details and results …
Team 1: Look Both Ways
Alexus Green, Jason Murad
Alexus and Jason created a prototype of a pair of glasses that assist in guidance for those who are vision impaired. The glasses were able to identify objects and obstacles to proactively guide the patient.
Team 2: Safe Haven
Asia Dorsey, Grace Pollack
Asia and Grace developed a virtual reality experience that required the patient to identify any hazards within each room of the home before moving on to the next room. This allowed the patient to have an understanding of their home layout and obstacles and prevent unnecessary hazards.
Team 3: Immersion at Home
Elise Garza, Alise Guyton
Elis and Alise created a virtual reality experience to assist with anxiety management before they had to actually live that experience. In other words a patient would be able to experience a hospital room and hospital setting prior to a surgery.
Team 4: Dreamer’s Paradise VR
Isabel Ballo, Chloe Kiryakoza
Isabel and Chloe created a virtual reality where a hospice patient could have a bucket list experience such as the wonders of travel through their simulation. They could walk on the beach and feel the sand or travel through Europe and enjoy the different countries and all they have to offer.
Team 5: VR Transfer Training
Josephine Aduba, Amanda Fisher
Josephine and Amanda created a virtual reality where nursing staff can train on how to safely transfer a patient when needed.
Team 6: MemoSphere
Natalie Dalaly, Renee Zetona
Natalie and Renee created a virtual reality experience for dementia patients. Here past memories could be recreated in virtual reality so they could re-experience those goods times with family and friends.
Team 7: ClearWayz
Julianna Cataldo, Haley Hawkins
Julianna and Haley created a cane and glasses for those who are visually impaired. The cane and glasses had sensors to alert the patient to obstacles in their way and both were integrated into an app for ease of use.
The Sharks
- Chris Raasch, Chief Technology Officer, csiSIM
- Will Bogen, csiSIM
- Ben Oliver, Simulation Specialist, CUAA School of Nursing
- Mike Blackstock, Occupational Therapist, University of Michigan Health System
- McKenzie Peters, OTD Student, Class of 2025, Concordia University Ann Arbor
- Addison Nordquist, OTD Student, Class of 2025, Concordia University Ann Arbor
- Daiyajot Grewal, OTD Student, Class of 2025, Concordia University Ann Arbor
And the winners are …
Team 4: Dreamer’s Paradise VR!
Congratulations, Isabel and Chloe, on winning this inaugural competition, and for dreaming up such a compassionate use of VR in the field of OT. Our future looks brighter because of innovative students like you.
Want in?
CUAA will continue to offer a variety of degrees in 2025-26 and beyond. Pursue a degree in healthcare at our North Building with its newly remodeled features and state-of-the-art simulation equipment, or earn your master’s degree in education through one of our well-established online programs. In the near future, Concordia will look to reintroduce church work training opportunities in Ann Arbor by building a new vision and model for the undergraduate degree programs here.