Andrea M. Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L

Andrea M. Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L

Andrea M. Thinnes, OTD, OTR/L

Associate Professor
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Omaha Campus

Expertise/Specializations

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

Academic Appointments

Department

  • Occupational Therapy

Position

  • Associate Professor

Secondary Appointment

  • College of Professional and Continuing Education

Biography

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

Publications and Presentations

Articles

  • , 49, 109-117
  • , CE-1 - CE-10
  • , CE-1 - CE-10
  • , CE-1 - CE-10
  • , 65, 541-549

Editing and Reviews

General

Presentations

Research and Scholarship

Research and Scholarship Interests

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

Current Research Projects

  • Empathy Development of Occupational Therapy Students; OT Students' Attitudes on Mental Health and Mental Illness; OT Student Attitudes on Older Adults and Likelihood to Work in Older Adult OT Practice, Human Trafficking Survivor, virtual reality in the education of OT students.  

Grant Funding Received

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

Awards and Honors

  • SPAHP Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, SPAHP Office of Faculty and Staff Development, 2020
  • Father Don Driscoll Ignatian Teaching Award, SPAHP students, 2019
  • CarFit Superstar Award, National CarFit Program , 2015
  • Volunteer Service Award, Girls Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, 2014
  • Educator of the Year Award (2012), Occupational Therapy Class of 2012, 2012
  • Educator of the Year Award (2011), Occupational Therapy Class of 2011, 2011
  • Consultant - Lifegate Christian School, 2010