Occupational Therapist and Clinical Researcher
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals
A. Personal Statement
As an outpatient Post-COVID occupational therapist, I am part of a multidisciplinary team that helps guide research focused on the treatment and assessment of patients who are Post-COVID in order to discover best practices and improve treatments in the future. While I carry an outpatient case load of individuals with progressive neurological diseases, orthopedic and other injuries, my primary emphasis is on the Post-COVID population. A major aspect of my work is educating patients and their families on compensatory strategies to be successful in returning to their life roles at their highest level of independence. I have valuable experience collaborating with teams of nurses, social workers, case managers, physicians, physical therapists, speech therapists and psychologists to help ensure the best medical treatment plan for the patients we serve.
B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors
Positions and Scientific Appointments
2022 – Present Outpatient Occupational Therapist and Post-COVID Researcher, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Omaha, NE
2022 – Present Outpatient Occupational Therapist, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Omaha, NE
2022 – Present PRN Inpatient Orthopedic Therapist, OrthoNebraska Hospital, Omaha, NE
2022 Outpatient Neuro Therapist, Ozark Neuro Rehabilitation Center, Springfield, MO
2022 Acute Care Therapist, Mercy Hospital Springfield, Springfield, MO
2021 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Jordan Valley Community Center Pediatric Facility, Springfield, MO
2021 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Cox Health MORH Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Springfield, MO
C. Contributions to Science
1. Adolescents in foster care can benefit from skill development in the area of independent living as they
age out of the system. While working on my master of science in occupational therapy degree at Cox
College, I contributed to research on the role of occupational therapy in working with individuals as they
transition from foster care into adulthood. The research involved an online survey of practicing
occupational therapists.
a. Practitioners’ Perspectives on the Role of Occupational Therapy in Working with Individuals
Transitioning Out of Foster Care into Adulthood, January 2020-May 2021.
2. Collaboration in development and acceptance of poster presentations to broaden scientific knowledge involving evaluation and treatment of Post-COVID symptoms.
a. Williams N, Massey J, Connelly E, Janovec D, Burnfield J. Six Minute Walk Test Changes During Outpatient Rehabilitation In Individuals With and Without Moderately Severe to Severe Depression Symptoms, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, October 2023.
3. As an outpatient Post-COVID research physical therapist at Madonna, I have had the opportunity to develop internal and external Post-COVID clinical presentations to assist in knowledge translation from research to practice.
a. Carson A, Connelly E, Massey J. Overview of Post-COVID Therapies. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Post-COVID Education and Support Group. Omaha, NE. July 11, 2024.
b. Connelly E, Massey J. Madonna Long COVID Education and Support Group: Latest Research on Treatment and Management. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Post-COVID Education and Support Group. Lincoln, NE. June 25, 2024.
c. Connelly E, Knight R. Long COVID Clinical Challenges and Rehabilitation. Metropolitan Omaha Chapter of the American Academy of Professional Coders. November 14, 2023.
d. Connelly E, Massey J. Lincoln, NE. Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy’s Role in Post-COVID Rehab. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Post-COVID Education and Support Group. June 27, 2023.
e. Burnfield J, Connelly E, Janovec D, Massey J, Williams N. Post-COVID Clinical Outcome Measures Implementation, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Lincoln, NE, January 2023.
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