OT Student Spotlight

During the Fall 2025 semester, the USI Occupational Therapy Program took learning beyond the classroom with an international service trip to Belize with Therapy Adventures, a Chicago-based non-profit organization dedicated to delivering pediatric therapy services to underserved communities worldwide. Led by Dr. Jessica Mason and Dr. Stephanie Rexing, second-year MSOT students Kate, Izzy, Cassidy and Grace provided hands-on care to children and families.

During the week, the team delivered nine individual treatments, hosted three days of camp for five clients and completed two evaluations. These experiences helped students build confidence, clinical reasoning and adaptability—skills that can’t be taught in a lecture hall.

With no occupational therapists in Belize outside of visiting university teams, these sessions offered personalized care and connection that might not otherwise be available. The trip was a powerful reminder of the role occupational therapy plays in improving lives worldwide. The Kinney College is proud to support opportunities that allow students to learn, serve and grow while representing the University abroad.

This was the second year in a row that OT students traveled to Belize. Read about the 2024 trip.