Kristin J Nichols
Overland Park
Summary
To work in a dynamic setting that encourages professional growth and development, provides a positive and challenging environment, and delivers comprehensive, compassionate care to facilitate optimal well-being of clients.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
The Mission Project
2023.04 - Current
- Provided visionary leadership for a family-governed nonprofit cooperative serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism, aligning programs with mission, values, and community need.
- Guided the organization through growth, change, and complex stakeholder dynamics while maintaining service continuity and quality.
- Navigated complex governance challenges while advocating for executive leadership integrity and organizational stability.
- Designed, implemented, and partnered with programs that promote independence, life skills, self-advocacy, and community inclusion for adults with IDD/Autism.
- Collaborated with board and finance committees to maintain fiscal responsibility.
- Increased organizational visibility and credibility through outreach, presentations, and public engagement.
- A family-governed nonprofit cooperative serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism.
Social Worker, Outpatient Neurology Clinic
Kansas University Medical Center
2023.06 - 2025.04
- Participate in multi-disciplinary clinics with patients experiencing ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease), Muscular Dystrophy and Huntington’s Disease, with OT/PT/SLP/Dietician/SW/Respiratory Therapy/Research/Palliative Care/Neurologist.
- Complete biopsychosocial assessments for new patients in the ALS/MD clinics and present to team for communication of their history, goals, functional status, values, and support needs.
- Provide disease navigation, psychoeducation, counsel, and resource provision for outpatient clinic patients including ALS, Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis clinics and the all other neuromuscular diagnoses.
- Complete crisis interventions for patients experiencing suicidal ideation, domestic violence, psychosis, adjustment to difficult diagnostics, and other urgent circumstances.
- Supervise MSW and OT Capstone students.
Occupational Therapist, Part Time
Minds Matter, LLC
2022.03 - 2023.06
- Supervise two Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with weekly meetings, re-assessments, and additional support as needed in working with individuals who have experienced brain injury in a community-based environment.
- Provide community based occupational therapy services for individuals through evaluation, re-assessment, and therapeutic interventions addressing person-centered goals to promote independence.
- Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to optimize outcomes including physicians, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work, cognitive and behavioral therapists, mental health counselors, and teachers.
Social Work Intern, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
Kansas University Medical Center
2022.08 - 2023.04
- Complete in-person/telehealth support to patients and families who are coping with multi-factorial changes related to their neurocognitive diagnosis, including counseling, psychoeducation, and resource distribution.
- Assist with support group provision for family members of individuals experiencing Frontotemporal Dementia.
- Responsible for launching the Purpose Project, a community-based partnership to extend volunteerism for those with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early-Stage Dementia, by working with non-profit organizations in relationship development, volunteer accommodations, and education.
Social Work Intern, Outpatient Geriatric Clinic
Kansas University Medical Center
2021.08 - 2022.04
- Engaged in geriatric interdisciplinary assessments with physicians, dietetics, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy practitioners, collaborating on the evaluation and intervention of individual patients to guide their health outcomes.
- Complete Bio-psychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) assessments with upcoming patients by interviewing them over the telephone and reporting findings to the multidisciplinary team prior to their appointment.
- Delivered standardized assessments to patients as appropriate for the evaluation of the patient’s cognition, depression, and anxiety status.
- Assisted with the monthly caregiver support group, facilitating discussion amongst the participants and providing appropriate resources to group members.
Owner, Occupational Therapist/Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist-Full Time
Avenues Driving Rehabilitation Program
2017.07 - 2021.07
- Responsible for overseeing business development, marketing, budgeting, and oversight of Client Care Coordinator position.
- Responsible for grant writing, educating patients on financial support and resources in the community and beyond.
- Administer comprehensive driving evaluation, driver training for a large variety of diagnoses across the lifespan.
- Provide adaptive equipment assessments, prescribe vehicle modifications, guide patients on processes with their State DMV, insurance company and vendor.
- Provide in-services to promote community mobility and driving rehabilitation related topics to increase awareness and collaboration with other healthcare providers and community members.
- Coordinate and participate in networking groups, committees, expos, and healthcare events to promote driving rehabilitation services.
- Collaborate with KU Medical Center to assist with on-road evaluations for appropriate candidates who have been assessed clinically in the Driving Lab.
- Collaborate with St. Luke’s Health System OTs on clinical assessments, patient consultations and implementation of behind the wheel services.
- Trained and mentored an occupational therapist to become a driving rehabilitation specialist.
- Responsible for consulting with local and corporate offices on business planning and policies.
Occupational Therapist/Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist-Part Time
Shawnee Mission Medical Center (Advent Health)
2011.09 - 2017.06
- Responsible for overseeing the driving rehabilitation department, management of scheduling coordinator, collaboration with vehicle modification vendors and management of program vehicle.
- Complete clinical assessments, driver training and behind-the-wheel evaluations for a variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, CVA, TBI, MS, SCI, post-polio, amputees, low vision, dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, and aging drivers.
- Provide adaptive equipment assessments, prescribe best suited modifications, guide patient on engagement with the Driver’s Licensing Bureau and auto insurance companies, and complete vehicle modification checkouts at the vendor’s location to ensure proper fit and transition of skills.
- Deliver in-services on driving rehabilitation to educate and promote services to medical professionals and community members.
- Collaborate and consult with physicians, therapists, social workers, nurses, families, patients, adaptive equipment vendors and The Missouri and Kansas Driver’s Licensing Bureaus about evaluations, training, and necessary vehicle modifications.
- Involved in data collection for clinical assessment and behind the wheel outcomes to assist with research for drivers 65 and older.
- Supervise and mentor COTA/L, DRS, as well as develop a treatment plan for clients who are engaged in driver training in the outpatient program.
- Identify, target, and implement marketing strategies amongst vendors, referral sources and regional resources, and deliver in-services, marketing materials and information and steps to receive services.
Occupational Therapist/Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist-Full Time
Sinai Hospital
2001.12 - 2006.08
- Responsible for overseeing driving rehabilitation department, management of scheduling coordinator, patient registration and revenue collections.
- Collaborate and consult with physicians, therapists, social workers, families, patients, and Motor Vehicle Administration nurse case managers for specific and general cases and MVA processes.
- Complete in-services for driving rehabilitation to educate and promote services to medical professionals and community members.
- Complete clinical assessments, driver training and behind-the-wheel evaluations for a wide population of patients including, but not limited to: CVA, TBI, MS, SCI, CP, mental health disorders, amputees, low vision, dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease and the older adult.
- Perform outpatient evaluations, develop, and implement treatment plans and assist with discharge planning for primary populations with neurological, orthopedic and general debility conditions.
- Provide weekend coverage on inpatient acute care, advanced orthopedics, and rehabilitation floors.
- Assist in direct and indirect supervision of one COTA in outpatient rehabilitation setting.
- Mentored and trained OTR who was transitioning into driver rehabilitation until she was independent with evaluations.
Education
Master’s of Social Work - School of Social Welfare
Kansas University
Lawrence, Kansas2023-05
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, Iowa1998-05
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, Iowa1998-05
Skills
- Relationship building
- Project management
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Analytical clinical reasoning
- Solution-based interventions
- Individual and group counseling
Certification
- Registered Occupational Therapist, certified by NBCOT
- Current Kansas Licensure in Occupational Therapy
- ADED Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist, 08/02-12/24
- Car-Fit Technician and Event Coordinator, 05/15-Present
- AOTA Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility, SCDCM, 05/15-25
- Current Kansas Licensed Master of Social Work
- Under supervision for Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, 07/24-06/26
Activities Associations
- Association of Driving Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), 2002-2022
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 1998-2022
- Board of Directors, Americans for Older Driver Safety (AFODS), 2013-23
- Committee Member, Older Driver Emphasis Team, Kansas Department of Transportation, 2013-21
- Grant Pilot Project with AOTA/NHTSA, Evaluating the Generalist’s role in Driving and Community Mobility in a Rural Setting, 01/18-06/18
- Recipient of the People Saving People Award from KDOT, 04/17
- Grant Pilot Project in partnership with AFODS, to educate and provide local/national resources to Kansas City Metro physicians, 07/18-06/19
- Monthly volunteer for Hope in the Streets, a food delivery system to the homeless in Kansas City, 01/19-Present
- Leader of a Special Interest Group for Driving and Community Mobility to the St. Luke’s Occupational Therapists, 06/18-08/21
- Leader of a monthly Stroke Support Group for young stroke survivors, 10/19-10/21
- Selected Member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board at KU’s School of Social Welfare, 2021-22
- Interdisciplinary Health Scholar, 2022-23
- Sigler Family Aging Scholar, 2022-23
Timeline
Social Worker, Outpatient Neurology Clinic
Kansas University Medical Center
2023.06 - 2025.04
Executive Director
The Mission Project
2023.04 - Current
Social Work Intern, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
Kansas University Medical Center
2022.08 - 2023.04
Occupational Therapist, Part Time
Minds Matter, LLC
2022.03 - 2023.06
Social Work Intern, Outpatient Geriatric Clinic
Kansas University Medical Center
2021.08 - 2022.04
Owner, Occupational Therapist/Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist-Full Time
Avenues Driving Rehabilitation Program
2017.07 - 2021.07
Occupational Therapist/Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist-Part Time
Shawnee Mission Medical Center (Advent Health)
2011.09 - 2017.06
Occupational Therapist/Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist-Full Time
Sinai Hospital
2001.12 - 2006.08
Master’s of Social Work - School of Social Welfare
Kansas University
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Saint Ambrose University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Saint Ambrose University