Associate Professor
Contact
Andrea M . Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP, PMH-C
Associate Professor
Dr. Andrea Thinnes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy whose work integrates clinical practice, teaching, faculty development, and community engagement to advance occupational therapy practice and education. She earned her Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Creighton University and her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the College of Saint Mary. In 2024, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine, further strengthening her expertise in evidence-based approaches to health promotion and disease prevention.
Dr. Thinnes serves as Co-Director of Faculty Development in the Center for Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research (CIPER), where she supports the advancement of teaching excellence, interprofessional collaboration, and faculty scholarship. She is also a core faculty member in the Creighton University Human Trafficking Prevention and Rehabilitation Research Lab, contributing to interdisciplinary research and education aimed at improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. In addition to her academic responsibilities, Dr. Thinnes provides pro bono occupational therapy services through the Creighton University Medical Center- University Campus Clinic, serving patients enrolled in the CenteringPregnancy® program. In 2026, she founded Well Nested Mother, a private occupational therapy practice dedicated to supporting maternal mental health and well-being during the perinatal period through evidence-informed, occupation-centered care.
Dr. Thinnes teaches across the occupational therapy curriculum, with expertise in mental health practice, business development and management, and spirituality in healthcare. She is recognized for preparing future practitioners to integrate clinical excellence, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking into occupational therapy practice. Her advanced certifications include Perinatal Mental Health, CarFit, Memories in the Making, and Dementia Capable Care, reflecting her commitment to specialized, lifespan-focused practice.
A dedicated leader within the profession, Dr. Thinnes actively contributes to national and regional initiatives that advance occupational therapy and maternal health. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Women's Health Community of Practice, Region Chair for the Nebraska Chapter of Postpartum Support International, and a board member for Lily Haven, a residential program supporting youth survivors of human trafficking. Through her leadership, scholarship, clinical service, and advocacy, Dr. Thinnes is committed to expanding access to evidence-based, person-centered care while mentoring the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners.
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching Interests
- Mental Health, Older Adults, Interprofessional Education, Human Trafficking, Spirituality, and End of Life Care
Research Focus
Maternal Health, Maternal Mental Health, Interprofessional Education, OT Student Mental Health and Well-Being, Human Trafficking and Trauma-Informed CareDepartment
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
- -0001
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
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