Recently, a faculty member at the School of Health Professions called Susan Roberts, an occupational therapist in southern Missouri, and asked if she could mentor an OT student.
Susan said "Yes, I'll take a student" and added, "she can stay with us on the farm since we'll be starting early in the morning for my first school."
Susan is one of several rural therapists who serve as mentors and clinical supervisors to OT and PT students.
Susan mentored Joyce, a junior OT student from St. Louis. Joyce worked as a student assistant at Rusk Rehabilitation Center and formerly worked with developing the vocational skills of adults who were disabled.
Joyce had never seen rural and pediatric practice. With Susan she saw both. She also saw how Susan lived with the effects of post-polio syndrome.