Maddie Fletcher

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-fletcher-25871b325

To learn more about my clinical experience, click the link

E - P O R T F O L I O P U R P O S E

The purpose of this e-portfolio is to represent who I am as an individual and as a developing occupational therapy professional. It highlights my strengths, values, passions, and long-term vision for contributing to the field of occupational therapy. This platform also serves as a central space to showcase the work I have completed throughout the development of my doctoral capstone project, including reflections, scholarly components, and professional growth. Through this e-portfolio, I aim to provide a clear and authentic representation of my journey, competencies, and commitment to meaningful, client-centered practice.

about

ABOUTME

Hello! My name is Maddie Fletcher and I am currently a fourth-year student in the Xavier Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. I received a B.S. in Health Science: Occupational and Behavioral Studies with a double minor in Psychology and Disability Studies from the University of Dayton.

P E R S O N A L M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

As an occupational therapist, my mission is to advocate for and empower individuals of all ages with disabilities by promoting meaningful participation, fostering independence, and supporting their ability to achieve the highest possible quality of life. I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that honors each person’s strengths, goals, and unique lived experiences.

Strengths

STRENGTH FINDER 2.0

POSITIVITY
- A person that exemplifies positivity is known to have contagious enthusiasm and can get others to get excited. This allows me to motivate others and get them to believe in themselves when they do not think that they can do something.
EMPATHY
- Having Empathy allows an individual to sympathize with and sense what others are feeling. Having this strength allows me to care deeply about people and understand or acknowledge their struggles.
WOO (WINNING OVER OTHERS)
- An individual who wants to win over others loves to meet new people and make connections with them. This strength allows me to connect with others and establish rapport so they feel comfortable sharing information.
DEVELOPER
- Developers see potential in others and strive to bring it out of them. Having this strength allows me to push individuals to be the best they possibly can be and to achieve more than they ever thought they could.
ADAPTABILITY
- An individual that is adaptable takes challenges as they come and is able to problem solve effectively. This allows me to be creative and be able to handle whatever is thrown my way.

L E A R N I N G S T Y L E S

Visual: 35%

Auditory: 35%

Tactile: 30%

M E Y E R S B R I G G S
P E R S O N A L I T Y
T E S T

ESFP: Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving

My Personality of an ESFP is known as "the performer". People with this personality tend to be outgoing and energetic. This is beneficial for my career as an occupational therapist, as I can encourage those around me and provide a positive energy to the work environment.

GOALS

PROGRAM GOAL:
- By the end of December 2025, I will graduate from the Xavier Occupational Therapy Doctorate program with my entire cohort.
  - Objective 1: Pass both level II fieldwork rotations by August 2025.
  - Objective 2: Complete my capstone project by December 2025.
- By the end of December 2025, I will complete 3 job interviews for occupational therapist jobs to start after I graduate.
  - Objective 1: Conduct a thorough search on LinkedIn to examine current job openings in September 2025.
  - Objective 2: Contact sites I have done fieldwork at to see if they have any job openings in September 2025.
CAPSTONE GOALS
- By the end of my capstone project in December 2025, I will complete 3 educational intervention demonstration videos for novice feeding therapists to view in preparation for their feeding competency.
  - Objective 1: I will make a trial video to understand how to use the video software.
  - Objective 2: I will record 3 different interventions to be used in the educational videos.
- By the end of my capstone project, I will improve entry level of therapist's competency in 2 topics
  - Objective 1: I will informally interview experienced occupational therapists on topics that new therapists typically struggle with.
  - Objective 2: I will create a pre/post-test to measure novice therapists' competency levels before and after educational videos.
CAREER GOALS - ONE YEAR POST-GRADUATION:
- By December 2026, I will obtain a job working in my desired location and with my desired population.
  - Objective 1: Pass the NBCOT board exam by December 2026.
  - Objective 2: Apply to as many different jobs in my desired location as possible, as well as with my desired population
- By December 2026, I will implement 1 new intervention through evidence-based practice into treatment planning for clients.
  - Objective 1: Perform 1 hour of research per week for evidence-based practice articles
  - Objective 2: Review the evidence-based practice and intervention idea with a manager or experienced occupational therapist before implementation.
CAREER GOALS - FIVE YEAR POST-GRADUATION:
- By December 2030, I will work in a setting where occupational therapists are not yet established or are represented very little.
  - Objective 1: Research different areas that would benefit from occupational therapy services
  - Objective 2: Create a presentation of how occupational therapy would be beneficial in the field and present it at the desired location
- By December 2030, I will have had 3 Level I or Level II fieldwork students.
  - Objective 1: Contact Stacia to be a level I and level II fieldwork educator.
  - Objective 2: I will contact the fieldwork coordinator at my work setting to perform the required steps needed to become a fieldwork instructor.

R E F L E C T I O N S

2022

When reflecting on my results from the Strengths Finder, the Myers Briggs, and the the Learning Styles tests, I am not very surprised. While I feel like these results were anticipated, I am slightly surprised at my results of the Learning Styles test. I always have thought of myself as an auditory learner, but this test shows that I am almost equal in all three learning styles. These strengths, personality traits, and learning styles can be extremely beneficial for completing the OTD program, as I can incorporate all three learning styles into my studying to optimize the amount of information I retain while learning. My learning first year post-graduation will also be impacted by my strengths, which will allow me to be positive as I embrace new challenges while on my own as an occupational therapist. This will also continue to when I reach five years post-graduation, as I will also use my outgoing and energetic personality to encourage my clients and to be an effective communicator. My career and educational goals will also be impacted by these two tests, as I strive to become a leader in the field. This requires me to use all of my learning strategies, strengths, and personality traits.

2023

After continuing to progress with my capstone project during the fall semester of my second year, I have specified my project to a specific population, which is first-time parents of infants who are premature in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). During the past few months, I have also identified a topic of interest, which is parent education in the NICU. While I feel solidified in my focus and topic areas, I have yet to solidify my capstone site where I will implement this project. My current idea is to continue the work of a current student at Xavier, and further her research in parent education at the NICU at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. This semester has been focused on turning our ideas into a reality, and I am extremely excited to solidify my site and continue to research my topic shortly.

2024

Throughout the last semester, my capstone program has grown and evolved into a set capstone project. Looking back at the beginning of the semester, I never thought that I would get to this point and accomplish as much as I have. My capstone topic is different from my original idea, as my project is now implementing educational intervention demonstration videos for novice therapists undergoing the feeding competency program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. This semester was filled with many daunting tasks, including the IRB, week-by-week plan, and capstone project goals and objectives. I have learned so much through completing these assignments, as well as increased my communication skills through constant contact with my capstone mentor. It is amazing looking at this website and observing where I started with the capstone process and how far I have come. While it still seems far away, I know the time in level II fieldwork will go by extremely fast, and it will be here before I know it. I am very excited to start my project and help make a difference in the field of occupational therapy.

C A P S T O N E P R O J E C T

My capstone project aimed to evaluate and compare the perceived confidence and competence of occupational therapists following different educational delivery methods during a pediatric feeding lab, including an educational simulation video or standard instructional methods. Additionally, educational videos on feeding interventions were created to increase the standardization of education and the confidence of occupational therapists undergoing feeding competency training.

To read more about my capstone project, click here:

Capstone Report

C A P S T O N E
P O S T E R
(with references)

C A P S T O N E
V I D E O

C R E A T I V E
E P I L O G U E

Gathered around the table, each of us immersed in measuring, mixing, planning, and problem-solving, this moment captures the heart of my capstone experience. What appears to be a simple lab setup actually represents weeks of collaboration, exploration, and hands-on learning. Through experiences like this, I deepened my understanding of feeding interventions and witnessed just how meaningful occupational therapy focused on feeding can be for children and their families. The cluttered workspace, including the inevitable mess, reflects the real, imperfect, and rewarding work that goes into helping children progress toward their feeding goals.

As I shared ideas, tested strategies, and supported the students, I could feel my confidence growing and increasing, as it did throughout the capstone experience. This photo is more than a snapshot of a project; it is a visual reminder of the personal and professional growth that occurred over sixteen weeks. It shows that development doesn’t happen only in clinics or hospital rooms, as it also happens in moments of collaboration, curiosity, and engagement. This experience has helped shape the occupational therapist I am becoming, and I’m excited for what the future holds in my professional career.