The GW doctoral capstone project and experience is the culminating experience of the program and supports the needs of the profession, students’ areas of interest(s) in faculty research and scholarship, and the mission of GW OT program and School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Students are encouraged to develop projects based in collaboration with community partners and faculty members which incorporate innovative practice concepts, focus on serving underserved populations to advance justice and equity for people from all walks of life, as well as advocacy and leadership within the field of occupational therapy and the health profession, in general.
How Students are Prepared
Students will complete a 3-course research series and gain knowledge and exposure to quantitative and qualitative research design and analyses. Using the skills acquired from the research course series, students will take a 4-course Doctoral Experience series to design, implement, evaluate, and measure the outcomes of a doctoral project. The Doctoral Experience will culminate in a 14-week experience implementing, measuring outcomes, and disseminating results of the project, including the following:
- Background literature review
- Needs assessment
- Goals/objectives
- Conceptual model
Students will present their doctoral capstone project and experience--including the project design, implementation, evaluation, results and outcomes--at the GW OT Capstone Showcase during the week of graduation.
Capstone Projects
The capstone experience will lead to the integration and application of OT knowledge and exploration of one of the following: clinical skills, research skills, administrative skills, program development and evaluation, policy development and advocacy, education, and/or leadership. Completed projects by GW graduates may be viewed below:
Out-Of-School Time Community Engagement for Children with Disabilities
Kate Agnes
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Roger Ideishi
The George Washington University
The Impact of Payer Source on Occupational Therapy Functional Outcomes in Stroke Patients: A Scoping Review
Isabele Amor Magbanua
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Kellie Sawyer
The George Washington University
User-Centered Co-Creation of Informative Video on Early Intervention (EI) Rights for Spanish-speaking Families receiving EI Services
Natalia Anzaldúa Ayala
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Rachel Brady
Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development
Implementation of Professionalism Content in a Hybrid Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
Amy Arellano
Faculty Mentor: Sheila Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
Wheelchair Transfer Training Program for Airline Travel
Rachel Baker
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Alexandra Bennewith
United Spinal Association
Beyond the Physical: Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Women with Breast Cancer
Marina Bien
Faculty Mentor: Ann Henshaw Site Mentor: Ann Henshaw
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Enhancing Care for Individuals with chronic Neurological Conditions: A Quality Improvement Initiative within the MedStar NRH Upper Extremity Group
Carolin Capurro Perez
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Exploratory Survey Study: Influence of Social Media on Occupational Therapy Practice Patterns
Marie Chatriand
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Laurie Rogers
GW OTD Program
Adaptation of the Brief Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees: A Delphi Method Approach
Alexis Clapper
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Michelle Intintoli
Medical Center of Orthotics & Prosthetics
Understanding Experiences of Implicit Bias in Occupational Therapy Students Level Two Fieldwork
Collese Daley
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Kellie Sawyer
GW OTD Program
Conceptualization of Diversity within Public Transportation
Molly Dougherty
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Catherine Fleming and Amy Raphael
SEPTA
Resilience Content in the GW OTD Curriculum: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Sarah Druckman
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
Determining the Inter and Intra Rater Reliability of the Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test in the Seated Position
Amy Eybers-Hill
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
The impact of seated and wheeled mobility devices on functional outcomes
Rena Gross
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Amy Siegler and Kendell Blunden
The Mobility Matters Foundation
Occupational Therapy's Role in Spiritual Care at End of Life
Kiara Johnson
Faculty Mentor: Ann Henshaw; Site Mentor: Ann Henshaw
AOTA Commun OT for Palliative Care, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Urinary Incontinence and Quality of Life from an Occupational Therapy Perspective: A Systematic Review
Fatima Koroma
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Emma Bixler
Society of Women's Health Research
Defining spirituality: A qualitative systematic review in occupational therapy
Tori Leger
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sarah Barton
Duke University Divinity School
Post-Sport Transition: Impact on Well-Being, Identity, and Occupational Engagement of Elite Female Athletes
Shannon Loiseau
Faculty Mentor: Leslie Davidson; Site Mentor: Leslie Davidson
The George Washington University
Aging, Activity Engagement, and Loneliness; Implications for Occupational Therapy
Sabrina Luu
Faculty Mentor: Leslie Davidson; Site Mentor: Leslie Davidson
DC Villages
Spirituality in Early Intervention: Unveiling the Impact on Clinician Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, and Current Practice
Pranathi Meda
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Rachel Brady
Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development
Students perception of feedback in graduate OT education
Clinton Mullins
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
More Than Toys: Exploring the Use of Culturally Diverse Toys and Books in Play Therapy
Iman Nasir
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Bridget Trivinia
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
The Expansion of Inclusion: A Feasibility Study for Sensory-Friendly Community Programming
Georgia Philbin
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Andrew Wilson
Glen Echo Park Aquarium
The Influence of Academic-Clinical Partnerships in Occupational Therapy Research
Natalie Sipes
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Development of Online Training Module for Administration of Disorders of Consciousness Scale - 25 (DOCS-25)
Coumba Tall
Faculty Mentor: Trudy Mallinson; Site Mentor: Laurie Lyons and Karen Schlumpf
The George Washington University
Exploring Social-Emotional Skill Development in Autistic Youth Through Inclusive Sailing: A Mixed-Methods Study
Emma Tober
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Scott Herman
Spectrum Sailing
Administrative Skills
Development of Online Training Module for Administration of Disorders of Consciousness Scale - 25 (DOCS-25)
Coumba Tall
Faculty Mentor: Trudy Mallinson; Site Mentor: Laurie Lyons and Karen Schlumpf
The George Washington University
Advocacy
Out-Of-School Time Community Engagement for Children with Disabilities
Kate Agnes
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Roger Ideishi
The George Washington University
The Impact of Payer Source on Occupational Therapy Functional Outcomes in Stroke Patients: A Scoping Review
Isabele Amor Magbanua
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Kellie Sawyer
The George Washington University
User-Centered Co-Creation of Informative Video on Early Intervention (EI) Rights for Spanish-speaking Families receiving EI Services
Natalia Anzaldúa Ayala
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Rachel Brady
Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development
Wheelchair Transfer Training Program for Airline Travel
Rachel Baker
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Alexandra Bennewith
United Spinal Association
Beyond the Physical: Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Women with Breast Cancer
Marina Bien
Faculty Mentor: Ann Henshaw Site Mentor: Ann Henshaw
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Conceptualization of Diversity within Public Transportation
Molly Dougherty
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Catherine Fleming and Amy Raphael
SEPTA
The impact of seated and wheeled mobility devices on functional outcomes
Rena Gross
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Amy Siegler and Kendell Blunden
The Mobility Matters Foundation
More Than Toys: Exploring the Use of Culturally Diverse Toys and Books in Play Therapy
Iman Nasir
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Bridget Trivinia
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Clinical Practice Skills
Enhancing Care for Individuals with chronic Neurological Conditions: A Quality Improvement Initiative within the MedStar NRH Upper Extremity Group
Carolin Capurro Perez
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Adaptation of the Brief Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees: A Delphi Method Approach
Alexis Clapper
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Michelle Intintoli
Meducak Center of Orthotics & Prosthetics
Determining the Inter and Intra Rater Reliability of the Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test in the Seated Position
Amy Eybers-Hill
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Occupational Therapy's Role in Spiritual Care at End of Life
Kiara Johnson
Faculty Mentor: Ann Henshaw; Site Mentor: Ann Henshaw
AOTA Commun OT for Palliative Care, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Spirituality in Early Intervention: Unveiling the Impact on Clinician Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, and Current Practice
Pranathi Meda
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Rachel Brady
Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development
Development of Online Training Module for Administration of Disorders of Consciousness Scale - 25 (DOCS-25)
Coumba Tall
Faculty Mentor: Trudy Mallinson; Site Mentor: Laurie Lyons and Karen Schlumpf
The George Washington University
Education Development
User-Centered Co-Creation of Informative Video on Early Intervention (EI) Rights for Spanish-speaking Families receiving EI Services
Natalia Anzaldúa Ayala
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Rachel Brady
Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development
Implementation of Professionalism Content in a Hybrid Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
Amy Arellano
Faculty Mentor: Sheila Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
Beyond the Physical: Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Women with Breast Cancer
Marina Bien
Faculty Mentor: Ann Henshaw Site Mentor: Ann Henshaw
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Resilience Content in the GW OTD Curriculum: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Sarah Druckman
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
Occupational Therapy's Role in Spiritual Care at End of Life
Kiara Johnson
Faculty Mentor: Ann Henshaw; Site Mentor: Ann Henshaw
AOTA Commun OT for Palliative Care, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Urinary Incontinence and Quality of Life from an Occupational Therapy Perspective: A Systematic Review
Fatima Koroma
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Emma Bixler
Society of Women's Health Research
Student perception of feedback in graduate OT education
Clinton Mullins
Faculty Mentor: Sheila Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
More Than Toys: Exploring the Use of Culturally Diverse Toys and Books in Play Therapy
Iman Nasir
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Bridget Trivinia
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Program Development
Out-Of-School Time Community Engagement for Children with Disabilities
Kate Agnes
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Roger Ideishi
The George Washington University
Implementation of Professionalism Content in a Hybrid Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
Amy Arellano
Faculty Mentor: Sheila Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
Wheelchair Transfer Training Program for Airline Travel
Rachel Baker
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Alexandra Bennewith
United Spinal Association
Exploratory Survey Study: Influence of Social Media on Occupational Therapy Practice Patterns
Marie Chatriand
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Laurie Rogers
GW OTD Program
Understanding Experiences of Implicit Bias in Occupational Therapy Students Level Two Fieldwork
Collese Daley
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Kellie Sawyer
GW OTD Program
Conceptualization of Diversity within Public Transportation
Molly Dougherty
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Catherine Fleming and Amy Raphael
SEPTA
Resilience Content in the GW OTD Curriculum: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Sarah Druckman
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
Students perception of feedback in graduate OT education
Clinton Mullins
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sheila Moyle
GW OTD Program
The Expansion of Inclusion: A Feasibility Study for Sensory-Friendly Community Programming
Georgia Philbin
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Andrew Wilson
Glen Echo Park Aquarium
Exploring Social-Emotional Skill Development in Autistic Youth Through Inclusive Sailing: A Mixed-Methods Study
Emma Tober
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Scott Herman
Spectrum Sailing
Research Skills
The Impact of Payer Source on Occupational Therapy Functional Outcomes in Stroke Patients: A Scoping Review
Isabele Amor Magbanua
Faculty Mentor: Kellie Sawyer; Site Mentor: Kellie Sawyer
The George Washington University
Enhancing Care for Individuals with chronic Neurological Conditions: A Quality Improvement Initiative within the MedStar NRH Upper Extremity Group
Carolin Capurro Perez
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Exploratory Survey Study: Influence of Social Media on Occupational Therapy Practice Patterns
Marie Chatriand
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Laurie Rogers
GW OTD Program
Adaptation of the Brief Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees: A Delphi Method Approach
Alexis Clapper
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Michelle Intintoli
Medical Center of Orthotics & Prosthetics
Determining the Inter and Intra Rater Reliability of the Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test in the Seated Position
Amy Eybers-Hill
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Urinary Incontinence and Quality of Life from an Occupational Therapy Perspective: A Systematic Review
Fatima Koroma
Faculty Mentor: Kimberly Conrad; Site Mentor: Emma Bixler
Society of Women's Health Research
Defining spirituality: A qualitative systematic review in occupational therapy
Tori Leger
Faculty Mentor: Shelia Moyle; Site Mentor: Sarah Barton
Duke University Divinity School
Post-Sport Transition: Impact on Well-Being, Identity, and Occupational Engagement of Elite Female Athletes
Shannon Loiseau
Faculty Mentor: Leslie Davidson; Site Mentor: Leslie Davidson
The George Washington University
Aging, Activity Engagement, and Loneliness; Implications for Occupational Therapy
Sabrina Luu
Faculty Mentor: Leslie Davidson; Site Mentor: Leslie Davidson
DC Villages
Spirituality in Early Intervention: Unveiling the Impact on Clinician Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, and Current Practice
Pranathi Meda
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Rachel Brady
Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development
The Influence of Academic-Clinical Partnerships in Occupational Therapy Research
Natalie Sipes
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Doerrer; Site Mentor: Sarah Doerrer
GW OTD Program
Exploring Social-Emotional Skill Development in Autistic Youth Through Inclusive Sailing: A Mixed-Methods Study
Emma Tober
Faculty Mentor: Roger Ideishi; Site Mentor: Scott Herman
Spectrum Sailing
Theory Development
Post-Sport Transition: Impact on Well-Being, Identity, and Occupational Engagement of Elite Female Athletes
Shannon Loiseau
Faculty Mentor: Leslie Davidson; Site Mentor: Leslie Davidson
The George Washington University