Bridget enjoying a day at the beach with her dog, Lucy; and her dad’s dog, Harry.


What is it about the OT profession that most appeals to you?

I was drawn to OT because of the wide variety of settings OTs can work in. I love the holistic approach to treating not just the condition, but the whole person. One of the best aspects to being an OT is coming alongside someone in their time of need and problem solving together to help them be as independent as possible. As OT’s we get to be so creative and I enjoy the processes of getting to know my clients, assessing their needs, incorporating their family, and setting them up for success.  

Are there any specific examples of helping a patient that really sticks out for you .. that was really meaningful to you as an OT practitioner?

This is a hard question! There are so many stories of amazing patients I’ve had the privilege of serving. But my favorite client was an elderly gentleman who had a very dry sense of humor. He didn’t say much and wasn’t as outgoing as most of my clients, but we developed a very special bond. He had a calendar of “funnies” or jokes and each week he would email me the joke of the day! After his wife passed away, he didn’t like going to the dining room anymore within his Independent living facility. This is very common amongst the elderly, especially for men as eating alone is hard! I noticed that he was losing weight and it concerned me that he was sitting alone most of the day. So, I started a tradition of Friday Night Date Nights. I would run out to get us a hamburger, enchiladas, or pizza after work and we would sit around on Friday evenings and have dinner together. Honestly, I think he helped me more than I helped him. He meant the world to me, and I loved sitting and listening to him talk about his WWII stories, his beautiful wife, and his adoring family. He taught me many life lessons and I’ll forever be grateful for his friendship.

You’ve been instrumental in helping develop the STISIM Drive product’s clinical application, providing input that has enhanced its ability to help clinical therapists improve patient outcomes. For you, what makes this driving simulation technology so special for occupational therapists?

As OTs we are always striving to incorporate functional tasks within our treatment sessions to simulate real-world scenarios. Using the driving simulator allows therapists to see a patient “in action.” Not only do you gain metrics from the drives to track patient progress, but you get to observe your patient perform a complex task. And the best part is patients LOVE using driving simulators. So for me that is a win win.

From a business perspective, what can clinic administrators expect to get from having STISIM Drive in their clinics? What’s the value for them?

For administrators they are making the commitment to invest not only in technology, but in their therapists, clients, and the community. By purchasing a driving simulator, they are encouraging therapists to integrate technology into patient care while boosting patient engagement. The driving simulator captures data and metrics to assist clinics with reimbursement and evidence for additional therapy visits. They are able to market to the community that they have advanced technology and are helping to ensure safety within the community they serve.

Finally, what’s one thing that most people don’t know about you that they should?

I love all things interior design! I would love to have a home staging business someday and even specialize in home modifications for seniors. I love looking at floor plans and blueprints for homes to assess the flow and function of the way the home is set up! My mom and I always used to cut out floor plans for houses that we loved!

Bridget will soon be attending the AOTA Inspire Conference & Expo, the largest annual gathering of occupational therapists in the world. While there, she’ll be serving as the moderator for a panel discussion that will follow the world premiere of the new documentary about the OT profession, Finding Me In OT. Bridget will lead the conversation that will include filmmaker, podcaster and OT, Rhiannon Crispe; as well as Kavita Murthi, MS, OTR. The event is an official education event of the conference and will take place on Thursday, April 20, at 5:30pm CT, at the Loews Kansas City Hotel. 

Want to connect with Bridget to learn more about STISIM Drive for clinical application? Send her a message via our website HERE