Dr. Sensel is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and Associate Chair of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at The University of Findlay. Dr. Sensel received her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2004 from Kent State University and her doctorate of occupational therapy in 2008 from The University of Toledo. She also holds a graduate certificate in geriatrics. In her 16 years in the occupational therapy profession, she has experience throughout the lifespan in the clinical settings of schools, outpatient clinics, acute care, home health and skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Sensel has been with the University of Findlay since 2019 teaching courses related to community-based practice, research and Capstone development and implementation. Dr. Sensel remains active as a member of AOTA, OOTA as well as an advisory board member for the Area Agency on Aging 3. Research interests include community-based fall prevention, dementia education and student success.
Academic Credentials
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy, The University of Toledo
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Kent State University
Professional Membership, Licenses and Certification
- Licensed Occupational Therapist, Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board
- Registered Occupational Therapist, NBCOT
- Certified Aging in Place Specialist, NAHB
- Member, The American Occupational Therapy Association
- Member, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association
Professional Presentations and Invited Lectures
International
Griffiths, T., Johnson, L., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L., Coalt, H., & Dillon, M.B. (2021, August 26) Use of Accommodation for the Workplace: Bridge from Student to Practitioner [Conference presentation] 2021 STAR Institute Virtual Summit: Sensory Processing in ADHD.
National
National Presentations
Griffiths, T., Dillon, M.B., Sensel, A., Coalt, H., Prusnek, L. & Johnson, L. (2021). Exploring New Practitioner Experiences, and Use of Accommodations in the Workplace: Bridging from Student to Practitioner. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. 2021. Presented in virtual format
Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Milner, C., Kellstrom, S., Griffiths, T., Coalt, H., Barefoot, S. (2022). Short Course 408 – Role Shift from Student Practitioner: Individuals with Academic Accommodations & the Road they Traveled. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.
National Poster Presentations
Johnson, L., Sensel, A., Weir, L., Kleman, S., Griffiths, T., & Auer, B. (2024). Life skills, mental health and academic needs of college students: Best Practice for OT programming in higher education settings.American Occupational Therapy Annual Inspire Conference, Orlando, FL
Barefoot, S., McLaughlin, M., Moening, L., Tornow, C., Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L. Weir, L., Snyder, H., Kleman, S. (2024). Stronger mental health for better mental wealth: An exploratory study of health professions graduate students. American Occupational Therapy Annual Inspire Conference, Orlando, FL
Barefoot, S., Sakemiller, L., Hutchins, J., Ferguson, S., Hopkins, W., Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L. Weir, L., Snyder, H., Kleman, S. (2024). Mentoring the mind: The effects of a SOTA peer mentorship program on the mental health and well-being of occupational therapy (OTD) students. American Occupational Therapy Annual Inspire Conference, Orlando, FL
Fournier, S, Rader, B., Griffiths, T., Prusnek, L., Tippie, M., Weir, L., Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Dillon, T. Impact of Sensory Modulation Interventions on Occupational Performance for Those with Mental Health and Trauma-Related Disorders: Informing Practice. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Kanas City, MO, April 2023
Griffiths, T., Barnd, C., Frank, K., Warnecke, D., Sensel, A., Prusnek, L., Weir, L., Dillon, M.B., Barefoot, S., Johnson, L., McLaughlin, M., & Dillon, T. Graduate Health Professions Students’ of Professionalism: Influence on OT Practice. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Kanas City, MO, April 2023
Barefoot, S., Alexander, M., Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Prusnek, L. The Perceived Value of Incorporating Diversity and Cultural Humility Training into Interprofessional Education for Health Care Professions Students. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, Kanas City, MO, April 2023
Sensel, A., Dillon, M.B., Bauer, M., Altman, E., Griffiths, T. & Barefoot, S., (2022). Perceived Value of Mental Health Wellness Programming for Occupational Therapy Graduate Students. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.
Griffiths, T., Prusnek, L., Sensel, A., Herr, R., & Coalt, H. (2022). Facilitating Autonomous Decision Makers for OT Community Program Development: Establishing Curricular Threads. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.
Prusnek, L, Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Barefoot, S., Dillon, M.B., Metcalfe, E., & Sotherland, H. (2022). Adolescent Well-Being: Impacts Resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.
Griffiths, T., Sensel, A., Barefoot, S., Prusnek, L., Dillon, M.B., Fasone, D., & Berlekamp, S. (2022). The Impact on Health and Wellness of First-Year Graduate Students: Opportunities for Occupational Therapy. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2022.
State
Sensel, A., McDowell, A., & Meyer, K. (2023). Effectiveness of Fall Prevention Education on Community Dwelling Older Adult’s Fear of Falling: Stepping On, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, Toledo, OH. 2023.
Sensel, A., Casto, A., & Terril, A. (2023). Community Dwelling Older Adults Home Safety Education Effectiveness and Implementation, Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, Toledo, OH. 2023.
04/2007
Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Annual Conference Poster Presentation Assessment of Occupational Therapists’ Attitudes and Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease
09/2006
Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Poster Presentation
Assessment of Occupational Therapists’ Attitudes and Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease
Local Presentations
10/2024
Occupational Therapy & Dementia: Maintaining Safety & Independence at Home
Presenters: Andrea Sensel and Megan McLaughlin
09/2024
Dementia and Aging: What is it and What Can we Do?
Presenters: Andrea Sensel and Holly Snyder
10/2024
Effectiveness of Fall Prevention Education on Community Dwelling Older Adults’ Fear of Falling: Stepping On
Presenters: Alexandria McDowell S/OT & Kelsey Goubeaux S/OT
06/2007
Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter Speaker – Early Stage Memory Loss Series Memory Loss and Home Safety
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES
University Committees
Curricular Assessment Committee
Vice Chair: August 2024- current
Member: January 2024- current
Faculty Senate
Secretary: August 2024 – current
Member: August 2022-current
Undergraduate Council
Member
August 2022 – current
100% Oilers
COHP Representative
August 2022- current
College Committees
College of Health Professions Curriculum Committee
Member
April, 2020- July 2024
Departmental Committees
Occupational Therapy Department Curriculum Committee
Co-Chair
August, 2021-current
Occupational Therapy Department Program Operations Committee
August, 2020- August 2021
Occupational Therapy Department Program Evaluation Committee
Member
October, 2019- current
Occupational Therapy Department Enrollment and Retention Committee
Member
October, 2019- current
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
06/2024
AOTA Annual Conference Abstract Reviewer
04/2024
Dementia Friends Champion
06/2023
OOTA Annual Conference Abstract Reviewer
06/2023, 06/2024
University of Findlay, Health Professions Camp
06/2022
AOTA Inspire 2023 CE Reviewer
05/2022- 12/2023
Stepping On – Community Based Fall Prevention Education Facilitator
2021-current
CarFit Event Coordinator & Occupational Therapist, annual community events
09/2021-09/2023
50 North
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Instructor
08/2021- current
Ohio Area Agency on Aging 3
Advisory Board Member
03/2020- current
Ohio Older Adult Falls Prevention Coalition
Member
11/2009
Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference
Vendors and Exhibitors Chairperson
Buddlemeyer, L. & Sensel, A. (2023). Delivering Occupational Therapy Services in Palliative Care. In Buddlemeyer,L.(Ed), Quality of Life. AOTA Press