Sarah Nielsen

Current Courses Taught

OT 504: Occupation & Analysis

OT 600 Interventions for Mental Functions to Support Occupation   

OT 613  Community-Based Practice Interventions  

OT 689 Readings  

OT 995/997 Scholarly Project/Independent Study

Interest Areas

Behavioral and Mental Health for Children through Adulthood in Community and School contexts

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Rural Issues in Health Care

Grants

Trainer, Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, SAMHSA funded through September 2024

Selected Examples * denotes student collaborations

Original Papers Refereed:

Marquart, M., Nielsen, S., & Olson, D. (2024). Recruitment and retention of rural allied health professionals: A scoping review. Rural and Remote Health, 24, https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH8374

Harris, N. C., Nielsen, S., & Klug, M. G. (2022). Level I fieldwork using simulation: Student performance outcomes and perceptions. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 6 (2). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2022.060216

*Larson, S.K., Nielsen, S., Hemberger, K., & Klug, M.G. (2021). Addressing puberty challenges for adolescents with ASD: A survey of occupational therapy practice trends. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7503180020. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.040105

Pitonyak, J.S., Nielsen, S. O’Brien, S.P., Corsilles-Sy, C., Lambert, D., & Jaffe, S. (2020). Critical thinking in occupational therapy education: A systematic mapping review. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 4(4). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol4/iss4/3

Chapters in a Book:

Nielsen, S., Jedlicka, J.S., & Carrlson, B. (2023). Tier 2 elementary school case #1: Annie. In B.E. Egan, C. Sears, & A. Keener (Eds), Occupational therapy for addressing mental health challenges in school-aged populations: A tier 2 resource (pp. 4-6). Slack, Inc.

Carrlson, B., Nielsen, S.,  & Jedlicka, J.S.. (2023). Tier 2 middle school case # 4: Jason. In B.E. Egan, C. Sears, & A. Keener (Eds), Occupational therapy for addressing mental health challenges in school-aged populations: A tier 2 resource (pp. 30-31). Slack, Inc.

Nielsen, S., Carrlson, B., & Jedlicka. (2023). Group #31. In B.E. Egan, C. Sears, & A. Keener (Eds), Occupational therapy for addressing mental health challenges in school-aged populations: A tier 2 resource (pp. 214-217). Slack, Inc.

Practice Publications Non-Refereed:

*Anderson, L., Annen, E., Dick, S., & Nielsen. S. (2021). Facilitating Successful Transition to Middle School: Implementing Effective Advisories. Product. Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. https://mhttcnetwork.org/centers/mountain-plains-mhttc/product/facilitating-successful-transition-middle-school

Fox, L., Nielsen, S., Heitkamp, T., & Schroeder, S. (2020). Strengthening resilience: Promoting positive mental health among indigenous youth. Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center and SAMHSA.   https://mhttcnetwork.org/centers/mountain-plains-mhttc/product/strengthening-resilience-promoting-positive-school-mental

Refereed Presentations- National

*White, T., & Nielsen, S. (2024). Integrative care within autism spectrum service delivery, poster. AOTA Inspire 2024. Orlando, FL. March 22, 2024.

 Roed, R., Nielsen, S., Wagner, J., & Hernandez, C. (2024)  Conception to implementation of occupational therapy services in government supported housing programs. AOTA Inspire 2024. Orlando, FL, March 21, 2024.

 *Peterson, M., & Nielsen, S. (2023). Advocacy for rural occupational therapy practitioners, poster. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, Kansas City, MO. April 20, 2023.

*Buschette, S., & Nielsen, S. (2023). Pediatric telehealth simplified: A toolkit for the rural pediatric
occupational therapy practitioner, poster. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, Kansas City, MO. April 20, 2023.

Loscheider, J., Young, A., Nielsen, S., Janssen, S., Haskins, A. (2022). Occupational therapy student safety readiness: A comprehensive safety check before level II fieldwork experience, Short Course 108. Inspire. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo, San Antonio, TX. March 31, 2022.

B.S., School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy with a Psychology Minor and Rehabilitation Minor,  University of North Dakota

MMGT, CPS Graduate Division, Masters of Management, University of Mary  

Ph.D., School of Education and Human Development, Institutional Analysis and Adult/Occupational Education, North Dakota State University

Academic:

2011-2016      

Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, University of North Dakota

2016-2023      

Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, University of North Dakota

2023-present   

Professor and Chair, Occupational Therapy Department, University of North Dakota                                                                           

Practice:            

2001-2011      

OTR, Trinity Child Adolescent Partial Hospitalizatio, Trinity Health, Minot, ND

Current Service

National

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education Vice Chair

Roster of Accreditation Evaluator

Editorial Board, Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Journal

University, School of Medicine Health Sciences, and Department

Member, Senate Legislative Affairs Committee

Committee for HLC accreditation review process 2023-24- Criterion 4

Advisor, Catholic Medical Association

Advisor, Pi Theta Epsilon

Chair, Departmental Curriculum Committee