ILOTA In-Person Event: "Orthotics Fabrication (Splinting): Mastering the Basics and Beyond"

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Alumni Hall South, Room 254

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This 6-1/2-hour course is perfect for intermediate and entry-level occupational therapy practitioners seeking to further develop their orthotic fabrication skills. During the course participants will fabricate at least five static orthoses using a variety of materials. Selected orthoses will address common orthopedic and neurological conditions across the lifespan. Orthoses completed in the course will address conditions impacting the elbow, wrist, and hand. 

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply and incorporate foundational biomechanical principles to fabricate orthoses utilizing practice-based reasoning 

• Identify the characteristics of thermoplastic materials and how to select based on orthotic goals

• Design and fabricate a minimum of five orthoses for a variety of upper limb conditions and diagnoses

• Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate finishing skills to select orthoses. 

• Identify and select appropriate billing practices when fabricating orthoses

Susanne Higgins OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Bios of the Course Instructors

Dr. Lingle completed her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy degree from University of St. Augustine in 2020, Master of Health Science degree from the University of Indianapolis in 2010 and Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University in 1984. Dana has presented continuing education courses and lectured locally, nationally, and internationally on a variety of topics including physical agent modalities, shoulder rehabilitation, ergonomics, orthotics, peripheral nerve injuries, and more. Dr. Lingle is an active member of AOTA, ASHT, and ILOTA.

Susanne Higgins OTD, OTR/L, CHT graduated from University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 1981. She earned her Master of Health Sciences degree at University of Indianapolis in 2010 and completed her doctorate in occupational therapy at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2016. She has been a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) since 1992 and a charter member of the ASHT since 1988. She serves as a volunteer for the Education Division of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

Dr. Higgins is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Midwestern University and for 15+ years has been teaching courses such as kinesiology, orthotics, upper extremity rehabilitation, physical agent modalities, anatomy along with administration, leadership and program development.   She has presented continuing education courses on a variety of topics related to upper extremity rehabilitation locally and internationally. Her clinical practice is in outpatient orthopedics in the western suburbs of Chicago.

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Course is limited to the first 26 registrants - register by Friday, April 26, 2024. 

Register here!