Dr. Lisa Hiestand was recently recognized as Eastern Kentucky University’s post-professional occupational therapy doctoral distinguished alumni.
The distinguished alumni award recognizes a post-professional occupational therapy doctoral graduate that has demonstrated outstanding best practice and leadership to advance the profession. It also acknowledges exemplary clinical leadership demonstrated by applying evidence to their practice. Nominees must meet determined criteria and be nominated by the academic faculty.
Professional Prominence
Dr. Hiestand graduated from EKU’s program in 2017 and has achieved professional prominence in her role at Cedars Sinai where she has worked for 25 years. She was recently promoted to Director of Rehabilitation at the Marina Del Rey campus.
She actively applies her knowledge from the EKU OTD program regarding community-based services. Additionally, the skills she learned from the research-focused program makes creating Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) plans easy. She has a strong appreciation for systems and processes and leads as a change agent focused upon occupation and evidence.
A Role Model
Dr. Hiestand continues to give back to the profession in her role as a fieldwork supervisor. In this role, she shares her expertise as a role model for future students. She is an active member of the California OT Association serving as OT Practice Issues Forum Co-Chair and has also finished a term as treasurer for the state association.
She actively presents on clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice in acute care and rehabilitation, and topics related to fieldwork supervision.
Distinguished Post-Professional OTD Alumni Award Criteria:
- Professional Achievement: Nominees have attained prominence in their occupational therapy career through research, education and/or clinical practice.
- Community Participation: Nominees have demonstrated a commitment and dedication to community participation in regard to accessibility, mobility, policy and/or advocacy.
- Alumnus demonstrates effective leadership by identifying and meeting the needs of the profession.
- Alumnus has graduated in the past ten years.
Interested in a post-professional occupational therapy doctoral degree?
Earn your online OTD from a regionally accredited university that has been an online education leader for more than 15 years. Our flexible, online format provides students the ability to complete coursework and assignments according to their schedule.
Complete the form to learn more about how EKU Online’s OTD program can help advance your career and the OTD profession.