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Andrea M . Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L

Associate Professor

Co-Director of IP Faculty Development

A Thinnes

Contact

AndreaThinnes@creighton.edu
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Faculty - Pharmacy, OT, PT
Graduate School
Occupational Therapy or Rehabilitation (Master of Science)
Occupational Therapy Faculty
CIPER Leadership Team
CRISS III - Criss 3 - 122 E

Andrea M . Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L

Associate Professor

Co-Director of IP Faculty Development

Dr. Andrea Thinnes is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Academic Mentor in the Occupational Therapy Gerontology Fellowship Program.  She serves on the leadership team as Co-Director of Faculty Development in the Center for Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research (CIPER). Her teaching responsibilities include teaching Occupational Therapy courses focused on clinical education, mental health, older adults, and spirituality in practice.  She also teaches an IPE course on end-of-life and palliative care.  She served as the Director of the Clinical Education team in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Creighton University from 2006-2017.  She has specialty certifications in CarFit, Memories in the Making, and Dementia Capable Care. Her service to the community includes serving on the AOTA Mental Health Special Interest Section as Quarterly Editor, Former Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness for the Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association, and Community Advisory Board member for Rejuvenating Women.  

Curriculum Vitae

Teaching Interests

  • Mental Health, Older Adults, Interprofessional Education, Human Trafficking, Spirituality, and End of Life Care

Research Focus

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; Interprofessional Education; Mental Health; Human Trafficking; Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice.  

Department

Occupational Therapy

Position

Associate Professor

Articles

  • J Allied Health
    'A Historical Cross-Professional Perspective on the Fellowship in Occupational Therapy'
    49, p. 109-117 2020
  • Occupational Therapy Practice
    Occupational Injustice and Human Trafficking: Occupational Therapy's Role, p. CE-1 - CE-10 2020
  • OT Practice
    Occupational Injustice and Human Trafficking: Occupational Therapy's Role, p. CE-1 - CE-10 2020
  • OT Practice
    Occupational Injustice and Human Trafficking: Occupational Therapy's Role, p. CE-1 - CE-10 2020
  • Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice
    Corcoran, M. Mild and major neurocognitive disorders: Effect on occupational performance and implications for occupational therapy. Thinnes, A. Invited book editor. 2014
  • American Journal of Occupational Therapy
    Thinnes, Andrea, Padilla, René Effect of Educational and Supportive Strategies on the Ability of Caregivers of People With Dementia to Maintain Participation in That Role
    65, p. 541-549 2011
  • American Journal of Occupational Therapy
    Thinnes, A., Padilla, R. What is the effectiveness of educational and supportive strategies for caregivers of persons with dementia on the ability to maintain participation in that role? 2011

Editing and Reviews

  • Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice
    Corcoran, M. Mild and major neurocognitive disorders: Effect on occupational performance and implications for occupational therapy. Thinnes, A. Invited book editor. 2014

General

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Presentations

  • A Walk Through Dementia: An Occupational Therapy Student's Perspective 2019
  • Interprofessional Competence Development Through Online Palliative Care Education 2019
  • Hearing Voices SImulation: Occupational Therapy Students' Experience 2019
  • Introduction to the Professional Rotation at Creighton University to Madonna Rehabilitation 2016
  • 2 part series Dementia Capable Care Foundation course taught to Occupational Therapy students 2016
  • Connecting Practitioners Locally, Nationally, and Globally: Building value in State Organizations 2016
  • Take this job and love it presentation at the Nebraska OT Association conference 2016
  • Connecting Practitioners locally, nationally, and globally: building value in state associations 2016
  • The Role of the Caregiver in Promoting Functional Independence 2016
  • Trained occupational Therapy students on the Memories in the Making program 2016
  • Thinnes, A., Evenson, M., DeAngelis, T., and Hatkevich, B. (2014). (SIS) EDSIS Fieldwork Subsection Annual Program: Understanding entry level OTD doctoral experiential component placement, American Occupational Therapy annual conference, Baltimore, MD, April 2014. 2014
  • Thinnes, A., Kirkpatrick, B., Flecky, K., Griffiths, Y., Beribak, A. (2014) Remember your roots sensory garden: Student service project creating a therapeutic place to rejuvenate health and wellness, Poster Presentation, American Occupational Therapy annual conference, Baltimore, MD, April 2014. 2014
  • Thinnes, A., Kirkpatrick, B., Flecky, K., Griffiths, Y., Beribak, A. (2014) Remember your roots sensory garden: Student service project creating a therapeutic place to rejuvenate health and wellness, Poster Presentation, American Occupational Therapy annual conference, Baltimore, MD, April 2014. 2014
  • Thinnes, A., Domina, A. (2013). Engaging occupational therapy students on level II fieldwork through the use of synchronous online discussion groups, American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, Baltimore, MD, April 2014. 2014
  • Thinnes, A., Domina, A. (2013). Engaging occupational therapy students on level II fieldwork through the use of synchronous online discussion groups, American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, Baltimore, MD, April 2014. 2013
  • Thinnes, A., Domina, A. (2013). Engaging occupational therapy students on level II fieldwork through the use of synchronous online discussion groups, American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit, Atlanta, GA, October 2013. 2013
  • Thinnes, A. (2013-2014). The occupational therapists role in working with older adults. Guest Lecturer, Interprofessional Geriatric Organization. 2013
  • Thinnes, A. (2013) Fieldwork and clinical educators as leaders. Guest Lecturer, OTD 518. 2013
  • Daniel, C., Jensen, L., Thinnes, A. (2010). Achieving Excellence in Fieldwork Education: A Workshop for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference, 2010. 2010

Other

  • TLC Grant " A Walk Through Dementia: Occupational Therapy Students' Experience"

  • "Hearing Voices Simulation: Occupational Therapy Students' Experience"

Awards

  • SPAHP Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
    SPAHP Office of Faculty and Staff Development
  • Father Don Driscoll Ignatian Teaching Award
    SPAHP students
  • CarFit Superstar Award
    CarFit Super Star Award, National CarFit Program recognition, Spring 2015
    National CarFit Program
  • Volunteer Service Award
    Girls Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, Recipient of Volunteer Service Award 2014
    Girls Scouts Spirit of Nebraska
  • Educator of the Year Award (2012)
    Occupational Therapy Class of 2012 Recipient of the Educator of the Year Award, Spring 2012
    Occupational Therapy Class of 2012
  • Educator of the Year Award (2011)
    Occupational Therapy Class of 2011 Recipient of the Educator of the Year Award, Spring 2011
    Occupational Therapy Class of 2011

Consulting

  • Consultant - Lifegate Christian School
    Consultant
    provide education to parents, teachers, and students on various topics
    Lifegate Christian School
    2010 - 2010
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