At the University of Pittsburgh, our Doctor of Occupational Therapy students’ capstone projects are more than academic milestones, they are launching points for sustainable change. Several recent projects have continued to evolve and grow well past the students’ graduation—shaping clinical practice, community engagement and quality improvement initiatives. Here are three examples of capstone work that’s still making an impact.
Sustained Change at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
Two capstone teams at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) have made lasting contributions to staff training and patient care:
Class of 2024 – Integrated Health Aging Program Unit
This student team developed a transfer training program as part of their quality improvement (QI) project. The program is now integrated into the core curriculum and new hire orientation. These training programs are reaching every new employee on the unit and improve safety and consistency in patient handling.
Class of 2023 – Dementia Care Training
This student team created a specialized dementia care training module for staff. Their work has laid the foundation for expanded education efforts, with components of the training now being incorporated into dementia care education for another hospital unit.
Outreach Therapy
Outreach Therapy is a nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA providing occupational therapy services to people who are experiencing and exiting homelessness. Group-based interventions, created by students working under the mentorship of Outreach Therapy founder and Pitt alumna Julia Lam (OTD ‘22), continue to flourish, especially the much-loved cooking groups! One recent event at Second Avenue Commons highlighted the collaborative spirit and practical skills nurtured by these programs.
Participants planned the BBQ, designed flyers, took food orders and grilled together. These activities focused on the occupational performance skills of planning, communication, food prep and teamwork. These groups are more than just community events; they offer real-world opportunities for clients to build independence and confidence through engagement in meaningful occupations.
Empowering Youth at Cancer Bridges
The R.E.A.C.H. Program—Resilience, Expression, and Continuous Hope has entered its second implementation cycle following a successful capstone project in 2024. Developed in partnership with Cancer Bridges, this student team initiative empowers teens impacted by cancer to mentor others through storytelling, emotional expression and shared support.
By combining peer mentorship with expressive arts, R.E.A.C.H. continues to grow as a trauma-informed, occupation-centered program with powerful therapeutic potential for adolescents navigating life after cancer.
These projects are powerful examples of how Pitt OT students are driving institutional change and how partnerships between students, faculty and clinical sites are yielding long-term benefits for patients and staff. These ongoing projects reflect the core values of occupational therapy: meaningful engagement, collaboration and client-centered innovation. Pitt OT is proud of our students and the lasting impact they are making in hospitals, community centers, and specialized programs across the region.
Have a capstone story that’s still going strong? We’d love to hear about it! Send updates to Katie Caspero.