Occupational Therapy: Inspiring Hope, Changing Lives
posted on Thursday, April 17, 2025
April is National Occupational Therapy Month, and at Spencer Hospital, we’re proud to celebrate the compassionate, skilled professionals who help people of all ages live life to the fullest. This year’s theme, “Occupational Therapy: Inspiring Hope, Changing Lives,” perfectly reflects the work our occupational therapy (OT) team does every single day.
Occupational therapists are experts in helping individuals participate in the activities they want and need to do – whether that's recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, developing essential life skills, or maintaining independence through life’s changes.
What Occupational Therapy Looks Like at Spencer Hospital
Our occupational therapy team provides a wide range of specialized services to meet the unique needs of our community. Karin Hogge, a certified hand therapist at Spencer Hospital, plays a key role in helping patients regain motion and strength in their elbows, wrists, and hands. Through custom splinting and targeted exercises, she supports recovery and improves function.
We also incorporate advanced techniques such as:
- Kinesiotaping
- Instrument Assisted Manual Therapy (IAMT) to reduce pain and improve mobility
- Lymphedema treatment
- Custom wheelchair evaluations (both manual and power)
- Low vision support
Recently, we’ve added a clinic-based comprehensive driving screening to assess whether individuals have the necessary skills to drive safely. This is just one of the many ways we’re helping patients maintain their independence.
Occupational therapy is about more than rehabilitation – it’s about adapting environments and routines to make daily life easier and safer. Something as simple as modifying how you sit at a desk or using larger-handled utensils can have a meaningful impact on daily function and comfort.
Supporting Children Through Play-Based Therapy
Our occupational therapy team also works with children, turning therapy into engaging, play-based activities. Pediatric OT helps young patients improve essential life skills like dressing, writing, and social interaction. Whether it’s navigating obstacle courses for balance, exploring textures for sensory development, or doing puzzles to strengthen coordination, our therapists meet children where they are – with compassion, creativity, and expertise.
Thank You to Our Occupational Therapy Team
We are proud to recognize and celebrate the dedicated occupational therapists at Spencer Hospital. Their work truly inspires hope and changes lives each and every day!
How to Access Occupational Therapy Services
If you or a loved one could benefit from occupational therapy, we encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about a referral to Spencer Hospital’s Occupational Therapy Department. Whether the goal is to regain mobility, improve daily function, or support development, our team is here to help each patient live a more independent, fulfilling life.
To learn more about our OT services, please follow the link to our Occupational Therapy services page.
- occupational therapy
- rehab
- therapy