Chicago City Wire

Second-year occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) students at Rush University Medical Center are using advanced technology to help first-year students learn anatomy. Lauren Simons, a student and anatomy tutor, uses Anatomage tables—digital visualization and virtual dissection tools—to support tutoring sessions and exam preparation.

“Anatomage tables are a great tool to help supplement the content that first-year OTD students learn from anatomy lectures, discussions and cadaver lab sessions,” said Simons. She explained that the two tables at Rush allow her to create quizzes for students.

Nora Harvel, another second-year OTD student and tutor, emphasized the interactive learning these tools provide. “In the OTD program, we focus mostly on muscles and nerves located throughout the body,” Harvel said. “Using the Anatomage tables, we can isolate specific muscles and nerves and make them easily visible and identifiable to the students.” Harvel noted that she chose Rush’s program for its small class sizes and individualized clinical experience.

Simons added that faculty support was a key factor in her decision to join Rush’s program. “I chose Rush OTD because of how passionate and kind all the faculty are and how willing they are to help me as a student in my journey of learning to be an OT,” she said.

Rush’s approach includes more than just Anatomage tables. Students have access to Moxie robots with artificial intelligence for engaging children in play-based development activities. The program also offers experience with 3D printing customized prosthetics, splints, and other patient devices.

Embracing technology has contributed to Rush’s OTD program being ranked among the top 20 nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.

“We’re striving for excellence and innovation in everything we do, and without technology, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to be leaders who are advancing the profession of occupational therapy,” said Becky Ozelie, DHS, OTR/L, FAOTA, chairperson of the Department of Occupational Therapy and OTD program director.

Rush University Medical Center is based in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1837 and serves as both a training hospital—including a pediatric ward—and an academic institution led by Dr. Omar Lateef as president.