KELLY PACKWOOD
COTA
Lansing,IL
Summary
Dynamic and compassionate Staff COTA at Powers Healthcare, skilled in patient-centered therapeutic approaches. Successfully empowered patients to achieve functional independence while enhancing clinic operations through quality improvement initiatives. Committed to continuous professional development and mentoring, fostering a culture of excellence in patient care.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
7
7
Certifications
1
1
Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist
1
1
Certified Kinesiotape Practitioner
Work History
Staff COTA
Powers Healthcare
Munster, Indiana
10.2000 - Current
- I was the first therapy assistant of any discipline hired by Kevin Gahan at Community hospital back in Oct of 2000.
- Super user for EPIC in 2009 with St Marys rollout which was the first to go live
- Mentored new COTA staff members, sharing best practices for optimized patient care delivery to all current staff except Tori and Claire.
- Organized OT supply closet and developed inventory tracking par list to help control OT budget expenses
- Assisted Michelle and Sue in development of Epic templates for the OT department prior to Epic roll out to be used in all three hospitals which we still use today
- Represented OT on the steering committee back in 2009 when we were trying to get accredited for Joint commission accredited stroke center. Team was made up of Don Fesko, Rhonda McCay, Jill Connors, Jennifer Ewing, Dr Andrea Deleo and Dr David Rosenfeld, Jill Westerfield and Mary Pawlicki.
- Represented OT at Parkinson's Fair and annually at Fitness pointe on adaptive devices and tremor reduction techniques for exercise group participants along with Michelle Walker for Parkinson's group
- Represented OT at the Annual Stroke Fairs since they started in 2010 and in 2012 I was a speaker at that fair.
- Was asked by Karen Parsons who was the stroke unit nurse education to educate new nurses on OT's role in the units and I presented a power point presentation for new hires and they would also shadow my treatment sessions as well.
- In 2024 created COTA manual for both inpatient and outpatient new hires
- In 2024 performed cost analysis for OT supply closet in efforts to reduce supply costs
- in 2023 created a visual/perceptual activity guide for stroke patients as well as downloaded apps onto OT Mac Book for further training
- Performed many ergonomics assessments hospital wide as well as off site for workspace modifications. I also have observed in the kitchen tray line, GI lab and housekeeping performing job analysis and making recommendations for ergonomic changes to prevent further injury
- I took over the Animal Assisted Therapy program when Jill Armstrong left and ran it for two years before it was discontinued
- I was invited to do GI skills Days after my inservice to them on ergonomics and have represented our department yearly for the last 10 years
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Governors State University
University Park, IL 05.2001 -
Associate of Applied Science - Occupational Therapy
South Surban College
South Holland, IL 05.2001 -
Skills
Compassionate patient assistance
undefinedAccomplishments
- Assisted in achieving JACHO accredited stroke center with an interdisciplinary team
- Former lead COTA in managing acute care caseload
- Developed new COTA employee manual for both acute care and outpatient
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets for OT supply closet
- Assisted supervisor in analyzing costs of therapy supplies in efforts to reduce costs
- Assists the OTRs in making sure we are in compliance with Medicare and insurance guideline
- Mentor new staff members both OTR and COTA
- Assist supervisor in managing OT clinic supplies
Affiliations
- AOTA member
Certification
COTA - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Timeline
NBCOT
01-2025
Licensed COTA
12-2024
Neuro Specialist Certification
04-2024
Stroke Certification
03-2023
Neurologic Hand Therapy Certification
01-2023
Neurologic UE Motor Rehab Certification
01-2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Governors State University
05.2001 -
Associate of Applied Science - Occupational Therapy
South Surban College
05.2001 -
Staff COTA
Powers Healthcare
10.2000 - Current
COTA - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
12-1993