SARA WEIGAND, BSHS, MOTS

133 Morrow Lane, Mars PA 16046

724-504-2833
weigands@duq.edu

OBJECTIVE: To obtain an occupational therapy position that allows for the utilization of my educational
and clinical training, in addition to providing opportunities for personal growth and professional
development

EDUCATION

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA

Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy, February 2, 2019
Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science, May 12, 2018
 Minor in Special Education
 Dean’s list 2014-2018
 Studied abroad in Rome, Italy: Spring 2016
 Pi Kappa Epsilon Honor Society member, inducted fall 2016

SCHOLARSHIP

Research Apprentice, June 2017 – July 2018

Advisors: Dr. Anne Marie Hansen, (credentials) and Dr. Jaime Munoz, (credentials)
 Read and analyzed relevant literature to complete evidence-based literature review on occupational therapy in
Africa
 Co-wrote the IRB
 Assisted with analyzing and coding data
 Created and sent out online survey on African occupational therapists’ perceptions, experiences, and advice
regarding global partnerships
 Assembled research into a poster
 Presented research at the Duquesne University Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium and
American Occupational Therapy Association
Presentations:
Witchger Hansen, A.M.W., Ndaa, P., Piora, A., Weigand, S., & Muñoz, J. A Qualitative Study of How African
Occupational Therapists Perceive, Describe and Experience Effective and Sustainable Global Partnerships. Research
poster presented at World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress (WFOT). Cape Town, South Africa.
International presentation, May 2018.

Witchger Hansen, A.M., Ndaa, P., Piora, A., Weigand, S., Muñoz, J. A Study of African Occupational Therapists
Perspective on Developing Innovative and Sustainable Global Partnerships. Research poster presented at the American
Occupational Therapy Association, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 2018.

CLINCIAL EXPERIENCE
Level IIB Fieldwork Affiliation – AccessPoint Rhode Island, The Cornerstone School, Providence, Rhode Island,
September – December 2018
 TBD
Level IIA Fieldwork Affiliation – University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, June – September 2018
 TBD
Level IC Fieldwork Affiliation – The Watson Institute, Pittsburgh PA, April 30 – May 4 2018
 Participated in the following with students ages 3-9: student transfer, positioning techniques, splinting, orthotic-
fittings, feeding, sensory stimulation, ADL training, power wheelchair mobility training, group therapy
Level IB Fieldwork Affiliation (Community Engaged Learning) – Global Links, Pittsburgh, PA, once a week from
September 2017 – June 2018
 Created a group for the volunteers with intellectual and developmental disabilities to increase their social
participation and work-related skills, both at Global Links and within the community
Level IA Fieldwork Affiliation – UPMC East, Monroeville, PA, December 11-15, 2017
  Participated in the following: patient transfer, patient education, implementing therapy services,
documentation, interaction with other staff members, reviewing of medical charts, and building trust and
rapport with patients
 Attended two staff in-services; one on current best practices with stroke patients and one on beneficial
therapeutic activities for amputees

SUPPLEMENTAL EXPERIENCE
Aide, trip to Walt Disney World with Jamie’s Dream Team
 Accompanied 10 children with severe autism and their families to Disney World in Orlando, Florida
 Assisted the families to ease the burden of care and help make the trip as memorable as possible
 Helped to dissolve outbursts, found and navigated family to sensory-friendly rides
Student teacher, YMCA Child Development Center, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, fall 2015 – summer
2017
 Planned and implemented lessons for infants - 6-year-olds
 Maintained knowledge of developmental milestones
 Engaged children in play and eating time
Student teacher, Planet Preschool, Mars Area High School, Mars, Pennsylvania, fall 2013 – spring 2014
 Planned and implemented lessons for 3-6-year-olds
 Led daily group time (song, story, group activity)
 Assisted children with various projects related to a given theme for the week
 Facilitated optional play time
Nanny/Babysitter, Mars, PA, 2011 – 2014
 Watched the children of various families ages 3 months – 12-years, up to 6 children at one time
 Planned and cooked age-appropriate meals
 Engaged children in meaningful occupations given their age and developmental level

LEADERSHIP
Vice President, Gamma Sigma Sigma (National Service Sorority), calendar year of 2017
 Performed 25 hours of service per semester
 Collaborated with local community partners to plan all service events so that all other members to attain 25 hours
of service per semester
Co-Social Chair, Gamma Sigma Sigma (National Service Sorority) Fall 2016
 Worked within a given budget to plan formal for all sorority members and guests

SERVICE
Hope for Haiti via Pittsburgh Half Marathon, 2018
 Chose to run for charity and fundraised $300 for Hope for Haiti instead of paying a registration fee
Penn State THON, 2017
 Fundraised through bake sales and lemonade stands prior to going
 Attended the entire weekend
The Blessing Board, 2016-2017
 Assisted underprivileged members of the community as they picked out donated furniture at no cost to them
 Encouraged these individuals for their new life, as many were coming from tough or tragic life situations
Best Buddies member, 2014-2016
 Engaged in various social activities in the community with a paired individual
 Maintained regular communication with a paired individual
MEMBERSHIP/CERTIFICATIONS
AOTA Member – ID # 000004483468
Date of Background Check: 9/6/16
Date of Child Abuse Clearance: 8/23/16
Date of CPR Expiration: 7/23/19