Andrea Sensel, OTD

Andrea Sensel, OTD

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program Associate Chair
Year started at UF: 2019
Contact Information
Office Location: Residence Hall- Morey Hall Room 101
Telephone: 419-434-6391
Credentials
B.A., Psychology, Kent State University, 2004
OTD, Occupational Therapy, University of Toledo, 2008
  • Dr. Sensel is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and Associate Chair of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at The University of Findlay.  Dr. Sensel received her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2004 from Kent State University and her doctorate of occupational therapy in 2008 from The University of Toledo. She also holds a graduate certificate in geriatrics.  In her 16 years in the occupational therapy profession, she has experience throughout the lifespan in the clinical settings of schools, outpatient clinics, acute care, home health and skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Sensel has been with the University of Findlay since 2019 teaching courses related to community-based practice, research and Capstone development and implementation. Dr. Sensel remains active as a member of AOTA, OOTA as well as an advisory board member for the Area Agency on Aging 3.  Research interests include community-based fall prevention, dementia education and student success.

    Academic Credentials

    • Doctor of Occupational Therapy, The University of Toledo
    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Kent State University​

    Professional Membership, Licenses and Certification

    • Licensed Occupational Therapist, Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board
    • Registered Occupational Therapist, NBCOT
    • Certified Aging in Place Specialist, NAHB
    • Member, The American Occupational Therapy Association
    • Member, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association




  • Professional Presentations and Invited Lectures


    International


    Griffiths, T., Johnson, L., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L., Coalt, H., & Dillon, M.B. (2021, August 26) Use of Accommodation for the Workplace: Bridge from Student to Practitioner [Conference presentation] 2021 STAR Institute Virtual Summit: Sensory Processing in ADHD.


    National


    National Presentations

    Griffiths, T., Dillon, M.B., Sensel, A., Coalt, H., Prusnek, L. & Johnson, L. (2021). Exploring New Practitioner Experiences, and Use of Accommodations in the Workplace: Bridging from Student to Practitioner. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. 2021. Presented in virtual format


    Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Milner, C., Kellstrom, S., Griffiths, T., Coalt, H., Barefoot, S. (2022). Short Course 408 – Role Shift from Student Practitioner: Individuals with Academic Accommodations & the Road they Traveled. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.


    National Poster Presentations


    Johnson, L., Sensel, A., Weir, L., Kleman, S., Griffiths, T., & Auer, B. (2024). Life skills, mental health and academic needs of college students: Best Practice for OT programming in higher education settings. American Occupational Therapy Annual Inspire Conference, Orlando, FL 

    Barefoot, S., McLaughlin, M., Moening, L., Tornow, C., Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L. Weir, L., Snyder, H., Kleman, S. (2024). Stronger mental health for better mental wealth: An exploratory study of health professions graduate students. American Occupational Therapy Annual Inspire Conference, Orlando, FL 


    Barefoot, S., Sakemiller, L., Hutchins, J., Ferguson, S., Hopkins, W., Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L. Weir, L., Snyder, H., Kleman, S. (2024). Mentoring the mind: The effects of a SOTA peer mentorship program on the mental health and well-being of occupational therapy (OTD) students. American Occupational Therapy Annual Inspire Conference, Orlando, FL 


    Fournier, S, Rader, B., Griffiths, T., Prusnek, L., Tippie, M., Weir, L., Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Dillon, T. Impact of Sensory Modulation Interventions on Occupational Performance for Those with Mental Health and Trauma-Related Disorders: Informing Practice. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Kanas City, MO, April 2023 

      

    Griffiths, T., Barnd, C., Frank, K., Warnecke, D., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L., Weir, L., Dillon, M.B., Barefoot, S., Johnson, L., McLaughlin, M., & Dillon, T. Graduate Health Professions Students’ of Professionalism: Influence on OT Practice. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Kanas City, MO, April 2023 


      

    Barefoot, S., Alexander, M., Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Prusnek, L. The Perceived Value of Incorporating Diversity and Cultural Humility Training into Interprofessional Education for Health Care Professions Students. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Kanas City, MO, April 2023 


    Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Bauer, M., Altman, E., Griffiths, T. & Barefoot, S., (2022). Perceived Value of Mental Health Wellness Programming for Occupational Therapy Graduate Students. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.


    Griffiths, T., Prusnek, L., Sensel, A., Herr, R., & Coalt, H. (2022). Facilitating Autonomous Decision Makers for OT Community Program Development: Establishing Curricular Threads. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.


    Prusnek, L, Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Barefoot, S., Dillon, M.B., Metcalfe, E., & Sotherland, H. (2022). Adolescent Well-Being: Impacts Resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.


    Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Barefoot, S., Prusnek, L., Dillon, M.B., Fasone, D., & Berlekamp, S. (2022). The Impact on Health and Wellness of First-Year Graduate Students: Opportunities for Occupational Therapy. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.


    State


    Sensel, A., McDowell, A., & Meyer, K. (2023). Effectiveness of Fall Prevention Education on Community Dwelling Older Adult's Fear of Falling: Stepping On, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, Toledo, OH. 2023.


    Sensel, A., Casto, A., & Terril, A. (2023). Community Dwelling Older Adults Home Safety Education Effectiveness and Implementation, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, Toledo, OH. 2023.


    04/2007

    Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Annual Conference Poster Presentation       Assessment of Occupational Therapists’ Attitudes and Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease 


    09/2006

    Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation       

    Assessment of Occupational Therapists’ Attitudes and Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease  


    Local Presentations


    10/2024

    Occupational Therapy & Dementia: Maintaining Safety & Independence at Home

    Presenters: Andrea Sensel and Megan McLaughlin


    09/2024

    Dementia and Aging: What is it and What Can we Do? 

    Presenters: Andrea Sensel and Holly Snyder 


    10/2024

    Effectiveness of Fall Prevention Education on Community Dwelling Older Adults’ Fear of Falling: Stepping On 

    Presenters: Alexandria McDowell S/OT & Kelsey Goubeaux S/OT 


    06/2007

    Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter Speaker – Early Stage Memory Loss Series Memory Loss and Home Safety    



    INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES


    University Committees 

    Curricular Assessment Committee

    Vice Chair: August 2024- current

    Member: January 2024- current


    Faculty Senate

    Secretary: August 2024 - current 

    Member: August 2022-current 


    Undergraduate Council

    Member

    August 2022 - current 


    100% Oilers 

    COHP Representative 

    August 2022- current 


    College Committees 


    College of Health Professions Curriculum Committee

    Member

    April, 2020- July 2024

    Departmental Committees 


    Occupational Therapy Department Curriculum Committee 

    Co-Chair

    August, 2021-current


    Occupational Therapy Department Program Operations Committee

    August, 2020- August 2021


    Occupational Therapy Department Program Evaluation Committee

    Member

    October, 2019- current


    Occupational Therapy Department Enrollment and Retention Committee

    Member

    October, 2019- current




    PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 


    06/2024

    AOTA Annual Conference Abstract Reviewer


    04/2024

    Dementia Friends Champion 


    06/2023

    OOTA Annual Conference Abstract Reviewer


    06/2023, 06/2024

    University of Findlay, Health Professions Camp


    06/2022

    AOTA Inspire 2023 CE Reviewer


    05/2022- 12/2023

    Stepping On – Community Based Fall Prevention Education Facilitator


    2021-current

    CarFit Event Coordinator & Occupational Therapist, annual community events 


    09/2021-09/2023

    50 North

    Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Instructor


    08/2021- current

    Ohio Area Agency on Aging 3

    Advisory Board Member


    03/2020- current

    Ohio Older Adult Falls Prevention Coalition

    Member


    11/2009

    Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference

    Vendors and Exhibitors Chairperson   



  • Buddlemeyer, L. & Sensel, A. (2023). Delivering Occupational Therapy Services in Palliative Care.  In Buddlemeyer,L.(Ed), Quality of Life. AOTA Press