Occupational Therapy Assistant
Faculty and Staff
Joanne Trammel MS, OTR/L
Program Coordinator / Clinical Senior Instructor
Office: Owen-Redfield Complex 256
Professional Work Experience
- Occupational Therapist - 30 years
- Practice areas include: Inpatient acute, Inpatient Rehab, Home Health, Acute Geriatric Psychiatry, Outpatient Rehab
- Special interest in Dementia
- Program Coordinator/Clinical Senior Instructor, ISU College of Technology OTA program – since 2016
Career Highlights
- Graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with my Master of Science in OT
- Graduated from UNC-Greensboro with my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Have practiced as an OT in 5 different states
- Came to Idaho as a traveling OT 20+ years ago
- Developed the Occupational Therapy-led Activities Therapy Program at Sawtooth Behavioral Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho.
- Certified Dementia Capable Care Instructor certified date: June 2013
- Participated in JHACO accreditation
- Teach caregiver education classes related to loved ones living with Dementia for ISU Continuing Education
- Active with the Alzheimer’s Association
One of my Favorite Professional Experiences…
I have had too many to count, but I can say that working with OT professionals across the country has been an awesome experience. I have worked with many COTA’s and the relationship is great when the communication is open. I have learned so much from COTA’s about difficult interventions. I found that the COTA’s I work with can have great insight into what the client needs and will find a unique way to make it happen.
This is most true in home health where I have spent much of my career. I spent time as a traveling therapist which took me to Cape Cod and then to Idaho. I have learned so many things from my home health patients. Things such as how to make crazy cake with boiled frosting, homemade noodles, card games, etc.
Being in Idaho these last 20+ years has rounded out my career and I found a passion for dementia while working in home health and that led me to my role in a geriatric psychiatric hospital in Twin Falls. That job was the proving ground for the community-based caregiver education classes I know teach through ISU Continuing Education/Workforce Training.
A Little About Me
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to Asheville North Carolina when I was 6, and then to Idaho in 1994.
I am the youngest of 5 with 4 older brothers. I am married and have 2 children. My son is in the Navy and my daughter and her husband just blessed us with our first grandbaby.
I enjoy golf, gardening, fishing and family.
Shannon Orr, COTA/L, BSHS
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator/Clinical Instructor
Office: Owen Redfield Complex 241
Professional Work Experience
- 4 years as a COTA/L at Connections Therapy Centers
- Some experience with acute care at EIRMC
Favorite Professional Experience
I’ve been really fortunate to work with many inspiring clients who shaped me as an OTA and made me a better person. There is nothing more rewarding than cheering on my clients as they achieve their goals and discover their independence. Every success story reminds me why I love OT!
A Little Bit About Me
When I first moved to Idaho over 10 years ago, I couldn’t wait to graduate from high school and move back to Florida. Now, more than a decade later, I’m so glad I stayed. I am a graduate of ISU’s OTA program and am grateful for the opportunity to teach in the program that shaped my career. When I am not teaching or working on fieldwork placements, I spend most of our time chasing a toddler and golden-doodle around with my husband. My little family keeps me busy, but when I have free time, I enjoy reading, thrifting, and discovering new hobbies.
Kaden Todd Stimpson, COTA/L, BSHS
Clinical Instructor
Office: Owen-Redfield Complex 259
Professional Work Experience
- 5 years as a COTA/L in the Pocatello/Chubbuck SD25
- 5 years in 2 PRN roles at Hannah’s Place and Bingham Memorial Hospital
- Some experience in skilled nursing and adult outpatient at Bingham Memorial
- ISU pediatric instructor since Fall 2022 semester
Career Highlights
I personally enjoy watching the children I have worked with grow up and become more independent in their schooling, home life, and social lives. Working with children is super fun. I get to let my inner child run free with a lot of my interventions and get down right alongside them and play games. I enjoy that I can work with the same child for years and watch them move into each one of their developmental milestones.
Favorite Professional Experience
My favorite professional experience has to be when I was a student in the program on my level 2 fieldwork in a pediatric hospital setting. I saw a kiddo who was extremely behind in their milestones. I was there to witness and help facilitate the kiddos first crawl, first steps, and many more firsts. This experience has really made me love what OT does!
A Little about me…
After I graduated high school I set out to become a PT, however life had other plans for me. After taking a few Generals my advisor approached me and asked if I knew what Occupational Therapy was. Since then I have been striving to become an excellent OT. I met my wife in 2017 and was Married in 2019. In 2022 we had our first child named Simon and he has been the best baby! I enjoy disc golf, regular golf, exploring new hobbies that my family can do together, watching and playing sports, and having game nights with family and friends.