Lillie O’Connor’s passion for caring for others and desire to meet people where they are led her to a fieldwork experience providing occupational therapy to people who have experienced homelessness.
Beginning in their first year, Occupational Therapy Doctorate students at College of Saint Mary (CSM) participate in fieldwork to gain real-world experiences. While many students work in clinical settings, there are opportunities to gain experience in non-traditional workplaces, such as community-based organizations.
Making a Difference with Community-based OT
For O’Connor’s final fieldwork experience, she has been working with people who live in transitional housing in Rochester, Minn. As part of the county’s housing stability team, she helps residents develop the skills they need to live independently.
“What I’ve learned at CSM can be applied in any setting. As an occupational therapist, I’m looking at the whole person,” O’Connor said. “These individuals experience many barriers that are outside of themselves. My role is to listen, be kind and caring, and share valuable life skills that can address their mental health and social barriers.”
Working in two housing units, O’Connor provides resources that help residents with stress management, household caretaking, budgeting, time management, and navigating reentry into school or the workforce. She also shares nutritious recipes and provides guidance on home cooking.
A Passion for Helping Others
O’Connor’s interest in working with people who have experienced homelessness began when she observed street medicine when she began graduate school.
“It was an eye-opening experience. It’s about meeting the individuals where they’re at. I realized that it’s an important aspect of occupational therapy too,” she said.
When O’Connor, who is from Hayfield, Minn., began looking for a location to complete her fieldwork, she approached a day shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The shelter referred her to the county’s housing stability team, which she joined as their first occupational therapist.
“Lillie’s compassion, reliability and genuine desire to help others reflect the qualities of a clinician who will make a positive impact on her clients, colleagues and profession,” said Courtney Robinson, assistant professor of occupational therapy. “She’s a highly engaged student who brings thoughtful questions, meaningful insight and strong preparation to class discussions. She takes real ownership of her learning and welcomes feedback with maturity, using it to strengthen her clinical reasoning, professional skills and confidence.”
Now that O’Connor is completing her fieldwork, she’s creating a sustainability plan that will allow the county to continue utilizing occupational therapy.
The Value of OT Fieldwork Experiences
“Tailoring clinical experiences to students’ interests can be valuable because it helps them stay engaged, maximizes their learning and connects their strengths to intentional professional development,” said Robinson. “This provides a more meaningful setting for growth, allowing students to build confidence while developing the skills they are most eager to strengthen.”
After graduation on May 16, O’Connor will work as an occupational therapist at an outpatient clinic in Rochester, Minn.
CSM’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program guides students through foundational knowledge into advanced clinical reasoning, hands-on labs and real-world application. Students complete fieldwork experiences in diverse settings, conduct research and complete a doctoral capstone project. The program can be completed in eight semesters.