CUAA alumna Addison Nordquist delivered an outstanding presentation to physicians, residents, and medical students at the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Health’s annual conference.
Unlike most kids who dream of becoming an artist, actor, or astronaut, Addison Nordquist wanted to be an occupational therapist—a career choice influenced by watching her father at work. After being laid off from the automotive industry, he pursued a degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Seeing him help people of all ages gain greater independence in daily activities was deeply inspiring for her.
Former CUAA Doctoral Capstone Coordinator Dr. Nicole Onori, Dr.OT, MS, MOT, OTR/L, described Addison’s demeanor at the KNN conference as poised, confident, and well-spoken.
Her presentation, “The Path to Flourishing: Preparing Future Clinicians to Advocate for Systemic Change in Healthcare,” an extension of her doctoral capstone project, was very well received, according to Onori, who attended alongside her. “I am so proud of Addison! She demonstrated the value of our profession.”
Addison’s presentation highlighted her development of a four-week, asynchronous course for undergraduate and graduate health professions students, exploring barriers commonly seen in healthcare and advocacy strategies for navigating them while practicing Careful and Kind Care.
“I created this course to show how you can advocate for change to overcome these barriers, and how you can continue practicing with Careful and Kind Care even when these barriers are present,” she explains. “A lot of times, these barriers lead to burnout and healthcare that runs in a way that patients don’t thrive.”
She created the course for The Patient Revolution, with whom she remains actively involved following her capstone project. Planning to use Addison’s course in the future, The Patient Revolution is a global movement for Careful and Kind Care.
“Healthcare programs will be able to reach out to The Patient Revolution to have access for their students,” says Addison, who is elated to know that her 14-week-long capstone project may have future implications.
Dr. Juliane Chreston, OTD, OTRL, director of the Occupational Therapy Program and assistant dean for the School of Health Professions says, “It is a testament to Addison’s engagement within the profession that she has already engaged in a peer-reviewed presentation. This is really the goal of the doctoral capstone—to show the world how occupational therapy can contribute beyond the traditional settings. Addison has known she wanted to be an OT since she was 8 years old, so it is such a blessing to see her living out her dream.”
Today, Dr. Addison Nordquist, OTD, OTR/L, works at OVATION Rehabilitation Services, LLC in Michigan.
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