Sarah Bowles - Occupational Therapist II - Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital

Summary

Occupational Therapist II with experience in pediatric acute care at a Level I pediatric trauma center. Selected as a Level 2 NICU therapist within a Level IV NICU, providing neonatal developmental care, feeding intervention, caregiver education, and management of medically complex infants. Experienced across NICU, PICU, burn, neuro, cardiac, orthopedic, and trauma populations. Demonstrated leadership through quality improvement initiatives, resident education, and interdisciplinary collaboration, including a PICU Early Mobility initiative that increased therapy consults by 65%.

Overview

2

years of professional experience

Work History

Occupational Therapist II

Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital

Houston, TX

10.2024 - Current

Provide occupational therapy services within a Level I pediatric trauma center across NICU, PICU, burn, neuro, cardiac, orthopedic, and trauma populations.
Selected as a Level 2 NICU therapist within a Level IV NICU, providing developmental and feeding assessment, therapeutic intervention, caregiver education for medically complex neonates. Experience with multiple bottle systems.
Complete occupational therapy evaluations and interventions for infants and children with complex medical, neurological, orthopedic, and cardiopulmonary diagnoses.
Collaborate with physicians, nursing, PT, SLP, respiratory therapy, child life, and case management to optimize patient outcomes and discharge planning.
Fabricate and modify custom splints (neuro, burn, ortho/NICU) and provide burn rehabilitation interventions to maximize positioning, range of motion, and functional outcomes.
Participate in weekly multidisciplinary burn rounds and continuing education focused on pediatric burn rehabilitation.

Education

Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR/L) -

NBCOT

06-2024

Doctor of Occupational Therapy - undefined

Texas Woman's University

Houston, TX

05-2024

Texas Teacher Certification (Teacher 2018-2022) - General Education & Special Education

Spring Branch ISD

06-2018

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Texas A&M University

05-2018

Skills

Neonatal Care: Developmental care, neonatal feeding, cue-based feeding, feeding readiness assessment, state regulation, positioning and handling, sensory support, caregiver education
Neonatal Feeding Systems: Dr Brown's Ultra Preemie, Preemie, Transitional, and Level 1 nipple systems; Philips Avent Natural Response bottle systems

Pediatric Acute Care: NICU, PICU, burn rehabilitation, trauma, neurological rehabilitation, cardiac populations, orthopedic populations
Specialized Skills: Splint fabrication, soft casting, Epic EMR, interdisciplinary collaboration, early mobility initiatives, family-centered care

Leadership & Quality Improvement

Chair, Pedi Task Force Committee

-Lead an interdisciplinary committee focused on patient safety, clinical quality improvement, and operational initiatives across Trauma, IMU, and PICU units.

-Lead monthly meetings with committee members for ongoing idea generation and planning.

PICU Early Mobility QI Project

-Developed and implemented a multidisciplinary QI initiative focused on increasing therapy consultation utilization within the PICU through use of recurring educational programming for pediatric residents to improve understanding of rehabilitation services and indications for therapy consultation. Therapy consult rates increased by 65% through physician education, resident engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Awards & Professional Development

Bee Award Recipient – February 2026, Recognized for excellence in patient care, teamwork, and compassionate service.

National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) continuing education coursework in neonatal developmental care, feeding, and evidence-based NICU practice.

American Burn Association Member & SMA Burn Conference (2025 Charleston, SC) attendee -

Timeline